According to Android Authority, Roborock is preparing a new all-terrain robot mower for extra-large lawns. The key model is the RockMow X1 LiDAR, which differentiates itself from the standard RockMow X1 with its vision system. The LiDAR variant uses a 360º LiDAR system and two cameras to survey objects at distances up to 230 feet, with a claimed data capture rate of 200,000 points per second. The standard model, meanwhile, uses four cameras and full-band RTK for mapping. Both models support 4G LTE connectivity and can be geofenced to a property’s boundary or locked to a zip code. Roborock also plans to deliver an “AI-Powered Mapping” feature via a future over-the-air update to automatically mark property boundaries.
Strategy for the great outdoors
So, Roborock is clearly going after the premium, high-acreage homeowner here. The move from camera-based navigation to LiDAR is a big deal. It’s the same tech that powers their best vacuum robots, and it’s far more reliable for creating consistent maps in variable outdoor light. Using VSLAM alongside it is a smart combo for remembering pathways. But here’s the thing: the standard model using RTK is interesting too. That’s a satellite-based correction system, and it’s typically incredibly precise for outdoor positioning. It makes you wonder if they’re segmenting the market not just by lawn size, but by complexity. Got a huge, open, relatively flat field? Maybe RTK is fine. Got a massive yard with gardens, trees, and slopes? That’s where LiDAR’s object detection and detailed point cloud would really shine.
Beyond just mowing
The business strategy here isn’t just about selling a mower. It’s about locking you into the Roborock ecosystem. 4G LTE connectivity means it doesn’t rely on your spotty WiFi, which is huge for outdoor devices. And the geofencing and promised AI boundary mapping? That’s all about reducing setup friction, which is a major barrier for robot mowers. Make it easy, make it reliable, and you can command a serious premium. This feels like a direct shot at established players like Husqvarna, but with the tech-forward, app-centric approach Roborock owners already expect. The real beneficiaries are folks with serious property who are tired of spending their weekends on a riding mower. Roborock is basically saying, “We automated your floor, now we’re automating your yard.” And for the industrial side of reliable, rugged computing in harsh environments—like controlling autonomous outdoor equipment—that’s where specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, come into play.
