CAMERA AND AI IN THE ROBOT MOWERS

– This is completely new, and provides a mower with market-leading navigation combined with very good precision, edge trimming, and object recognition, says Vegar Berg to the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.

According to Gardena's representative, this will provide safer navigation and more precise mowing.

– Now the robot will detect edges, beds, toys, and pets in a completely different way than before, says Berg.

The new models are supposed to have a very simple initial setup.

– The user places the charging plate, connects the power, takes a tour of the garden using a mobile or tablet, and adjusts the boundaries in the app before the robot itself finds the edges with the AI camera. It has never been so easy to set up the mower, and Sense will mow right up to one centimetre from physical boundaries, says Berg.

Gardena launched edge trimming last year with the Sileno Free models, and Berg says the technology has been continued because it has been a great success.

– Free can mow right up to the edges, and so can the Sense models, says Berg.

He believes Gardena is a safe choice for customers who want tried and tested technology and good support.

– We have been making mowers for many years, have Norwegian-speaking customer support, a local workshop with high competence in Norway, and seven years of spare parts availability, says Berg.

Built-in 4G

The Sense series stops at 600 square metres. For larger gardens, Berg refers to the Gardena Sileno Free models, which cover from 800 to 1,500 square metres, and to the sister company Husqvarna, which also has four-wheel drive models.

– Those who need more power and greater coverage can find it with Husqvarna. The two brands come from the same development environment, and the quality is very strong with both, says Berg.

The internet solution is also new. The Gardena Smart Sileno Sense mowers have 4G connectivity, without the need for a gateway.

– We have chosen a lifetime solution with a free 4G subscription. This gives you GPS RTK correction and automatic over-the-air updates, says Berg.

The prices will be 12,500 Norwegian kroner for the Sense 400 and 14,000 kroner for the Sense 600.

Berg says Gardena has been involved with lawnmowers for over 40 years, and that they started with cylinder mowers. These now come in a new and improved design, and Berg says they provide a mowing result quite out of the ordinary.

– The grass blades are cut straight off, giving a soft and fine lawn. They are friction-free, very easy to push, and cost 1,400 Norwegian kroner for 33 cm width and 1,500 kroner for 40 cm, says Berg.

Meeting the competition

Watering is Gardena's largest product category. Berg says the company offers everything from hose boxes to moisture sensors and micro-drip systems. Here we also find smart watering computers with an integrated and data-driven planning assistant via Bluetooth, which uses real-time weather data via Gardena Smart Gateway, and a plant library to analyse how much water the plants need.

– We have products for all needs. The sensors register water quantity, and micro-drip systems are suitable for everything you need to water in the garden such as greenhouses, raised beds, kitchen gardens, flower beds, and hedges, says Berg.

He showcases several new watering products, and says these now come at a lower price and with a higher proportion of recycled plastic. Moreover, several of the products are assembled in such a way that the consumer can replace parts themselves.

– We meet the price competition from the chains' own brands. Pistols with a click solution for start and stop cost from 179 to 199 kroner, says Berg.

– What does it mean for customers that the products are marked Made in Germany?

– It should provide reassurance, and we also meet new EU requirements by making more sustainable and repairable products. We can vouch for the raw materials, and it should be noted that our products are frost-resistant. They also have UV resistance so that they do not fade in colour, and we offer a five-year warranty, says Berg.

Finally, he highlights the Gardena FloodProtection 20,000l/h.

– Floods are now occurring more frequently and in places that were not previously affected. With this set for 1,700 kroner, you can pump out 20,000 litres of water per hour yourself, instead of waiting for the fire brigade, says Berg.