Three decades ago, a clever little space-age invention rolled onto the scene and revolutionised lawn care forever. It didn’t make much noise, never needed a coffee break, and unlike its human counterparts, this work dynamo never complained about mowing the lawn on Sundays either. It quite literally cut the grass on its own while its owners kicked back and relaxed. Way ahead of its time, the original Husqvarna robotic mower celebrates its 30th birthday this month – and while other millennials scroll, this millennial rolls.
“Back in April 1995, Husqvarna introduced the world’s first fully automated lawn mower, the Solar Mower,” shares Pieter Smuts, Managing Director of Husqvarna South Africa and Regional Director for Africa. “Powered by the sun (talk about eco-friendly before its time), this cutting-edge machine was a forerunner of the future. No push handles, no petrol fumes… just a self-sufficient robot quietly trimming away while homeowners marvelled at its independence.”
By 1998, the first-generation Automower® robotic mower had arrived, marking another milestone in automated lawn care. Battery-powered and able to mow come rain or shine (because grass doesn’t wait for good weather), it paved the way for even smarter capabilities. “Over time, new features like GPS navigation and AI-driven cutting patterns transformed what was once futuristic into true garden genius,” Smuts continues. “Fast forward to today, and what began as a solar-powered pioneer has evolved into a sophisticated fleet that now integrates effortlessly with smart home technology.”
The latest NERA range is Wi-Fi enabled, app-controlled, and continues to raise the bar -one swipe at a time. With radar-powered object avoidance, precise wire-free boundaries, and voice command compatibility, it fits right in with a generation that likes to do everything from their phones – including mowing the lawn.
Effortlessly blending energy efficiency and convenience, this next generation is kind to your wallet and requires minimal maintenance to keep going strong. Best of all, you can take charge from anywhere – even while soaking up the sun on holiday. It’s practically the robotic butler of your garden.
“The evolution of robotic lawn mowers mirrors the broader shift in tech – becoming smarter, more integrated, and focused on making life easier,” says Smuts. “Over the past 30 years, Husqvarna has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, turning a bold idea into an everyday ally – from residential gardens to large-scale grounds maintenance.”
Back in 1995, Husqvarna took a tiresome task and reimagined it as an innovative, low-emission solution. From solar-powered beginnings to today’s app-connected sophistication, the brand has consistently led the charge in redefining lawn care. “We don’t sell machines; we give people time back, reduce emissions, and make garden care seamless,” he adds.
As Husqvarna celebrates this milestone, the focus is firmly on the future. With AI and sustainability at the forefront, who knows? Maybe the next generation of robotic mowers will predict the weather, offer unsolicited garden advice, or identify every bird in your yard before you can even Google it.
One thing’s certain – while most millennials are only just figuring out work-life balance, this one’s been mastering it since 1995. Happy 30th to the original automated lawn legend. “And here’s to another 30 years of smarter lawns and fewer chores,” concludes Smuts.