Every robot mower stops its blades when lifted or tipped, and most detect larger obstacles with cameras, LiDAR or bump sensors. Several, such as the eufy C15, say they detect small animals. But none is designed to share the lawn with a child or a pet while it is mowing.
Rules that work
- Schedule mowing for times when the lawn is empty, such as school hours.
- Use the app's child lock or PIN.
- Pick up toys, balls and dog poo first. eufy says plainly that its mowers will not specifically detect dog poop; we know of no mower proven to.
- Set a no-go zone round the area your dog uses.
- Don't let children ride on or chase the mower.
Mowers with published animal or wildlife features
| Mower | Feature |
|---|---|
| ECOVACS GOAT O1200 LiDAR PRO | AI recognises hedgehogs; TruEdge trimmer stops for people/animals |
| ECOVACS GOAT O500 Panorama | Recognises hedgehogs and keeps a 5 cm gap |
| ECOVACS GOAT O600 RTK | AI camera recognises hedgehogs |
| Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD | Wildlife Safety Mode: no-mow or low-speed at night, lights and bumper |
| eufy Robot Lawn Mower C15 | Detects small animals and pets and steers around them |
These are the makers' own claims. See also hedgehogs.
Ready to choose?
Not sure which fits? Answer a few questions about your lawn or see the best-for lists.