Three decades ago, a clever little space-age invention rolled onto the scene and
revolutionised lawn care forever. It didn’t make much noise, never needed a coffee
break, and unlike its human counterparts, this work dynamo never complained about
mowing the lawn on Sundays either. It quite literally cut the grass on its own while its
owners kicked back and relaxed. Way ahead of its time, the original Husqvarna
robotic mower celebrates its 30th birthday this month – and while other millennials
scroll, this millennial rolls.
“Back in April 1995, Husqvarna introduced the world’s first fully automated lawn
mower, the Solar Mower,” shares Pieter Smuts, Managing Director of Husqvarna
South Africa and Regional Director for Africa. “Powered by the sun (talk about eco-
friendly before its time), this cutting-edge machine was a forerunner of the future. No
push handles, no petrol fumes… just a self-sufficient robot quietly trimming away
while homeowners marvelled at its independence.”
By 1998, the first-generation Automower® robotic mower had arrived, marking
another milestone in automated lawn care. Battery-powered and able to mow come
rain or shine (because grass doesn’t wait for good weather), it paved the way for
even smarter capabilities. “Over time, new features like GPS navigation and AI-
driven cutting patterns transformed what was once futuristic into true garden genius,”
Smuts continues. “Fast forward to today, and what began as a solar-powered
pioneer has evolved into a sophisticated fleet that now integrates effortlessly with
smart home technology.”
The latest NERA range is Wi-Fi enabled, app-controlled, and continues to raise the
bar -one swipe at a time. With radar-powered object avoidance, precise wire-free
boundaries, and voice command compatibility, it fits right in with a generation that
likes to do everything from their phones – including mowing the lawn.
Effortlessly blending energy efficiency and convenience, this next generation is kind
to your wallet and requires minimal maintenance to keep going strong. Best of all,
you can take charge from anywhere – even while soaking up the sun on holiday. It’s
practically the robotic butler of your garden.
“The evolution of robotic lawn mowers mirrors the broader shift in tech – becoming
smarter, more integrated, and focused on making life easier,” says Smuts. “Over the
past 30 years, Husqvarna has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, turning a
bold idea into an everyday ally – from residential gardens to large-scale grounds
maintenance.”
Back in 1995, Husqvarna took a tiresome task and reimagined it as an innovative,
low-emission solution. From solar-powered beginnings to today’s app-connected
sophistication, the brand has consistently led the charge in redefining lawn care. “We
don’t sell machines; we give people time back, reduce emissions, and make garden
care seamless,” he adds.
As Husqvarna celebrates this milestone, the focus is firmly on the future. With AI and
sustainability at the forefront, who knows? Maybe the next generation of robotic
mowers will predict the weather, offer unsolicited garden advice, or identify every bird
in your yard before you can even Google it.
One thing’s certain – while most millennials are only just figuring out work-life
balance, this one’s been mastering it since 1995. Happy 30th to the original
automated lawn legend. “And here’s to another 30 years of smarter lawns and fewer
chores,” concludes Smuts.
ENDS
WORD COUNT: 549
Press Release on Behalf of:
Pieter Smuts
Managing Director: Husqvarna
Disseminated by:
Thulisile Mhlongo
PR Account Executive: Say Watt
071 326 9830
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna, a brand within Husqvarna Group, is a market leader in innovative and high-
quality products and services for shaping green spaces in parks, forests and gardens. Since
1689, Swedish-born Husqvarna has had a strong focus on research and development and is
a pioneer in robotic lawn mowers and chainsaws. Today, the product portfolio consists of the
next generation of robotic mowers, riders, chainsaws and trimmers for professional as well
as private use. Sustainable value creation, product innovation and digitalization remain
important for the journey ahead. Husqvarna products are sold in more than 100 countries.
Husqvarna Group, which also includes Gardena and Husqvarna Construction, has 13 300
employees in 40 countries around the world and net sales in 2024 amounted to SEK 48,4
billion. Husqvarna Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.