TECH

Exports Boom for China’s Smart Lawn-Mowing Robots, a Cut Above the Rest

Published: Apr. 17, 2025 4:52 a.m. GMT+8

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The Husqvarna AB AWD Automower cuts a grass lawn. Photo: Bloomberg

Chinese tech firms are rapidly expanding into the booming global market for smart lawn-mowing robots — especially in Europe — driven by rising demand for intelligent, eco-friendly gardening tools and advances in boundary-free navigation technology.

At the 137th Canton Fair currently underway in Guangzhou, major Chinese tech firms including Ecovacs Robotics Co. Ltd., Ninebot Ltd. and Dreame Technology Co. Ltd. are showcasing robotic lawn mowers.

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Chinese tech firms, including Dreame, Ecovacs, and Ninebot, are expanding globally, especially in Europe, with innovative robotic lawn mowers leveraging boundary-free navigation.
Robotic mower demand is driven by eco-friendly trends, with Europe leading in market penetration (40% in some regions), while North America lags due to landscape limitations.
The sector, projected to exceed 3 million annual units by 2028, is poised for rapid growth with advanced technology and increasing competition from traditional brands.

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Who’s Who

Ecovacs Robotics Co. Ltd.: Ecovacs Robotics Co. Ltd., a leading Chinese vacuum robot maker, is focusing on international sales of robotic lawn mowers. Since 2023, it has sold tens of thousands of units, with overseas revenue and sales volume increasing by 185.9% and 252.1% year-on-year, respectively, as noted in its 2024 interim report.

Ninebot Ltd.: Ninebot Ltd., known for Segway electric scooters, launched its robotic lawn mower in 2021. In 2024, it generated 861 million yuan ($118 million) in revenue from the segment, up 284.4% year-on-year, making it the company's fastest-growing business. The segment accounted for slightly over 6% of total revenue.

Dreame Technology Co. Ltd.: Dreame Technology Co. Ltd., known for vacuum robots, debuted its first robotic lawn mower in 2023. Since then, it has shipped over 150,000 units abroad, with Europe being the primary market.

Home Depot: The article mentions that North America lags behind in robotic lawn mower adoption, with less than 5% market share, partly due to large, uneven lawns and the dominance of retail giants like Home Depot.

Husqvarna AB: Husqvarna AB, a Swedish legacy brand and traditional garden tool maker, competes in the global market for smart lawn mowers. The company primarily relies on older navigation systems using buried electromagnetic boundary wires, as opposed to the boundary-free navigation technology increasingly adopted by Chinese competitors.

Gardena GmbH: Gardena GmbH is a traditional garden tool maker from Germany, competing with Chinese robotics startups in the expanding global smart lawn mower market. Unlike Chinese companies adopting advanced boundary-free navigation technologies with cameras, LiDAR, and AI, legacy brands like Gardena often rely on older systems using buried electromagnetic boundary wires.

Robomow: Robomow is an Israeli legacy brand competing in the global robotic lawn mower market. Unlike Chinese firms utilizing advanced "boundary-free" navigation technology, Robomow and other traditional brands often rely on older systems requiring buried electromagnetic boundary wires.

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