When Technology Threatens Nature

As robotic lawn mowers grow in popularity, concerns about wildlife safety are escalating across Great Britain and Europe. The Guardian newspaper recently highlighted studies showing that automatic mowers pose a serious risk to nocturnal animals — especially hedgehogs. These small creatures roll into a ball when threatened, and in this motionless position, the machine may not recognize them as a living organism.

The problem is not marginal. In Europe, the western hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) lives here, and its population is already declining long-term due to habitat loss and road traffic. Robotic mowers, which often operate during nighttime hours, add further pressure. This is why manufacturer Segway Navimow has stepped in — and its solution uses a combination of LiDAR, ToF sensors, computer vision, and generative artificial intelligence.

Animal Friendly Mode: How Animal Protection Works

The technology called Animal Friendly Mode is not just an enhanced obstacle sensor. It is a comprehensive system that combines multiple layers of environmental perception:

• LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) — solid-state laser radar creates a precise 3D map of the mower's surroundings in real-time and detects objects regardless of visibility.
• ToF sensors (Time of Flight) — measure the distance to an obstacle based on the travel time of a light beam, enabling rapid reaction even to small objects close to the ground.
• Computer vision with AI — a neural network analyzes camera images and recognizes not only domestic pets (dogs, cats) but also wild animals such as hedgehogs, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, and birds.

The key innovation is the way the model is trained. Instead of relying exclusively on static photographs, Navimow uses generative artificial intelligence — specifically text-to-image algorithms — to create extensive libraries of synthetic animal images in various positions, lighting conditions, and lawn types. This made it possible to train the model on more than a million simulations, including the critical scenario: a hedgehog curled into a ball.

"We believe that progress in lawn care should go hand in hand with ecological responsibility," states Segway Navimow in its technology presentation. "Animal Friendly Mode actively protects local wildlife that may live on your lawn."

European Context: Why This Is Being Addressed Now

The European market for robotic lawn mowers is growing rapidly. Estimates suggest that by 2030, several million of these devices will be in operation across Europe. At the same time, environmental regulations are tightening — the EU Nature Restoration Directive places greater emphasis on protecting biodiversity even in inhabited areas. Technologies like Animal Friendly Mode are therefore not just a marketing argument, but may become a de facto standard for certification or environmental labeling.

Segway Navimow sells its products throughout Europe, including the Czech Republic, and lists prices in euros. The basic model Navimow i105e for areas up to 500 m² starts at 799 euros (approximately 20,000 CZK), the mid-range i2 LiDAR with full Animal Friendly Mode support costs from 899 to 1,399 euros, while the flagship X4 Series for large properties ranges between 2,499 and 3,199 euros (approximately 62,000–80,000 CZK).

Portfolio Expansion for 2026

Besides safety features, Navimow is expanding its portfolio to five new product lines introduced at the CES 2026 trade show in Las Vegas:

• X4 Series — flagship range for large residential properties up to 6,000 m², handles slopes up to 84%, combines all-wheel drive and dual cutting system.
• i2 AWD Series — compact mowers with all-wheel drive for smaller gardens, now featuring Xero-turn technology that eliminates lawn damage during turning.
• i2 LiDAR — mid-range equipped with solid-state LiDAR and AI vision for navigation in complex environments under trees or in narrow passages.
• H2 Series — most advanced consumer platform with triple fusion navigation (LiDAR + network RTK + visual system), designed for locations with weak satellite signal.
• Terranox Series — commercial platform for professional grounds maintenance up to 24,000 m² without the need for boundary installation wires.

All new models use network RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) for centimeter-level positioning accuracy, solid-state LiDAR, and visual systems. This eliminates the need for boundary wire installation, which is often the most demanding part of setup with competing brands.

AI for Commercial Maintenance and Fleet Management

For professional users, Navimow is preparing Fleet Management software that enables remote monitoring and management of multiple robotic mowers simultaneously, analyzing operational data and optimizing routing. This feature primarily targets landscaping companies, golf courses, and large property managers.

For Czech and European facility management companies, this could be a significant tool for reducing operating costs. Automating lawn mowing while maintaining high ecological standards also corresponds to growing demands for sustainability and ESG reporting, which in Europe increasingly influence public procurement.

Availability and the Czech Market

Segway Navimow operates in the European market through local e-shops and official distribution. For Czech customers, products are available in EUR prices with European warranty. Pre-orders for selected 2026 models were launched in January, with additional models becoming available gradually throughout the year.

The Navimow app supports Czech language and complete setup — including activation of Animal Friendly Mode — is done via mobile phone. Thanks to network RTK coverage, the mowers work throughout the Czech Republic without the need for a personal reference station.

Conclusion

Segway Navimow shows that artificial intelligence in robotics doesn't have to serve only humans, but can also be a tool for nature protection. The combination of generative AI, LiDAR, and computer vision brings a concrete solution to a real problem — the death of hedgehogs and other wildlife under the blades of robotic mowers. For the European market, where environmental regulations are tightening and biodiversity is a political priority, Animal Friendly Mode may soon be not just a competitive advantage, but an expected standard.