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Yarbo modular yard robot mows grass, clears snow and blows leaves

Yarbo modular yard robot mows grass, clears snow and blows leaves
Pictured here with its Snow Blower module attached, the Yarbo robot is presently on Kickstarter
Pictured here with its Snow Blower module attached, the Yarbo robot is presently on Kickstarter
View 3 Images
Pictured here with its Snow Blower module attached, the Yarbo robot is presently on Kickstarter
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Pictured here with its Snow Blower module attached, the Yarbo robot is presently on Kickstarter
The Yarbo can be remotely monitored and/or activated via a 4G connection, plus it can be manually controlled in real time via a Wi-Fi-connected smartphone running its app
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The Yarbo can be remotely monitored and/or activated via a 4G connection, plus it can be manually controlled in real time via a Wi-Fi-connected smartphone running its app
The Yarbo and its modules are IPX6 waterproof, meaning they can withstand high-pressure sprays of water
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The Yarbo and its modules are IPX6 waterproof, meaning they can withstand high-pressure sprays of water
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There are already several autonomous robots that mow grass, and even a few that clear snow. The modular Yarbo robot, however, can tend to both grass and snow, plus it can blow away dead leaves or other debris.

Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, the device was designed by the same people who previously brought us the Snowbot S1 snow-blowing robot. The Yarbo consists of a motorized rubber-tracked base unit, which can be equipped with any of three system-specific modules.

The Lawn Mower module is equipped with two spinning blades placed side-by-side, giving it an adjustable grass-cutting width of up to 20 inches (508 mm). Users can also adjust the cutting height, from a range of 1.2 to 4 inches (30 to 102 mm).

The Snow Blower module features a powered auger – which draws in dry, wet or packed snow up to 12 inches deep (305 mm) – along with an impeller which shoots that snow out of an adjustable-direction chute on top. It has a snow-gathering width of 21 inches (533 mm), and it can throw snow in any direction from 6 to 40 feet (1.8 to 12.2 m).

Finally, the Blower module sports an underside fan nozzle that delivers a leaf-blowing breeze of up to 119 mph (192 km/h). The air volume and speed can be adjusted via an accompanying app.

The Yarbo and its modules are IPX6 waterproof, meaning they can withstand high-pressure sprays of water
The Yarbo and its modules are IPX6 waterproof, meaning they can withstand high-pressure sprays of water

All three modules incorporate a millimeter-wave radar unit and a camera, which allow them (and the attached robot) to detect and avoid obstacles. The Yarbo orients itself within a predefined mowing/blowing area via GPS – plus it determines what path to follow in order to cover that area most efficiently – so it doesn't require perimeter wires or beacons like some other lawn-mowing robots.

It can also climb slopes with a grade of up to 68 percent, and automatically returns to a docking station when its job is done. The robot's 36V/38.4-Ah lithium-ion battery is then wirelessly recharged. That battery operates at temperatures down to -30º C (-22º F), plus it can be removed from the Yarbo and used on its own as a portable power station.

One 2-hour charge is claimed to be good for two hours of mowing, 90 minutes of snow-blowing (at a snow height of 5 in/127 mm), or 50 minutes of leaf-blowing.

The Yarbo can be remotely monitored and/or activated via a 4G connection, plus it can be manually controlled in real time via a Wi-Fi-connected smartphone running its app
The Yarbo can be remotely monitored and/or activated via a 4G connection, plus it can be manually controlled in real time via a Wi-Fi-connected smartphone running its app

Pledges run from US$2,599 for a Yarbo with a Lawn Mower module (estimated retail $4,399), all the way up to $3,699 for a robot with all three modules (retail $6,999). Assuming it reaches production, deliveries should take place in December. Plans call for other modules to be offered in the future, such as sweeper, sprinkler and snow plow units.

There's more information in the following video.

Yarbo modular yard robot

Sources: Kickstarter, Yarbo

View gallery - 3 images
12 comments
12 comments
michael_dowling
I will believe the hype for this gadget when it actually walks the walk - I can't see it being too useful for leaf blowing with a 50 minute run time on a charge,which would be useless for large yards.My battery leaf blower battery lasts ~ 10-15 minutes at full power. I can't blow many leaves with that working time,and have to get my old plug-in leaf blower out. As I hate dealing with long cords,I usually use my battery lawnmower to hoover up leaves,and it has a run time of about 45 minutes. It has a pouch for a spare charged battery,which gives me a total run time of about 90 minutes.
Treon Verdery
Thinking of things your lawn robot could do to be even more successful, laser peening makes titanium 15 times more durable. Noting you are the manufacturer you could laser peen your grass cutting blades. If it is a weedeater string trimmer based grass cutting you could have two or four strings on the rotor simultaneously causing it to wear out 2-4 times more gradually.

Also, at my previous post I thought a 5000 milliamp hour lithium rechargeable battery was 9¢, I just looked it up, and a 6000 milliamp hour rechargeable lithium battery is near $1.89. That makes the ultracapacitor equivalent less than $7.70.

I hope your company does well.

Treon
madsci
wonder how many of the leaves will end up in the neighbors yard after the robot does the blowing?
BlueOak
“ The modular Yarbo robot, however, can tend to both grass and snow, plus it can blow away dead leaves or other debris.”

But can it, really? Waiting for proof.

$7,000?!? That would pay for doing all three services by professionals for 7-10 years around here. And we’d know the job would be done right. Will this contraption even survive 3-5 years before needing replacement?

These guys need to go back Business Model 101 training.
see3d
Looking at the specs of this vs other attempts (in this price range), it has the best chance of mowing my hilly 1.5-acre lawn. Wishing them well with this device.
Bruce H. Anderson
The trouble with a robotic snowblower is that you can't wave to your neighbor while you clear their driveway and sidewalk with your snowblower (because they don't have a snowblower). Or maybe they aren't home and will smile when they arrive because they have such good neighbors.

So maybe this would work on larger estates or commercial properties, assuming batteries will last long enough to get the job done. It is a "me-too" product with no distinct value proposition that would differentiate it in the market.
Fairly Reasoner
Guess I'll be moving snow myself for a bit longer. And mowing. And ...
TpPa
BlueOak: where as 7 grand is a lot but 7 to 10 years of all three services?? 1/8 acre lot, 10' driveway maybe, with maximum snow storms of 2"s, but for non city folk one would probably need another grand worth of spare batteries
ljaques
Good for them, going for the higher end of things.
But blowing leaves is like herding cats. Blowing snow in winter winds is often as futile.
A towed leaf collector behind the leaf sucker might have done better, but automating bagging would be an expensive venture.
Love the idea, and the price isn't too OUCHy. Best of luck, Yarbo!
@Treon Buy and measure one of those 6000mAh lithiums (18650?) and tell us what capacity it delivers. I got some Ultrafire 4000mAh batts (aka ultraSMOLDER) which measured between 7mAh and 209mAh repeatedly. Some of those chiwanese vendors strip old cells and resleeve them with new covers. Good luck to you, too.
Michael son of Lester
Cool factor aside, $6,999 will buy you a John Deere S220 lawn tractor ($2,999.00) to mow the lawn. Add a snowblower attachment ($1,750.00 ) plus weights and chains ($299) for winter. For leaves, you can get a lawn sweeper attachment ($499). With all that you will save $1,452 plus save on shipping.
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