Anthbot Genie Review: Grants the wish of a mowed lawn. Mostly

The Anthbot Genie basic package arrived well-packed in a single box. Included is a charging station with grounding screws, a power adapter with an extension cable, cable stakes, and extra blades, along with the necessary tools for installation. Also included is the RTK module along with a mounting pole and a three-prong grounding stake to secure it in the ground. There is also a handy quick-start guide that covers the basics to get the mower up and running.

Following the quickstart guide, users will assemble the RTK station and connect it to both the charging station and the charging station's power supply. It was immediately apparent that the extension cable is necessary as the standard length of cord, spanning about two meters long, is a bit short for this application. Next, users must create an account in the Anthbot app and connect the mower to WiFi to begin the mapping process. However, at this point in testing, the mower required a firmware upgrade to download and install, which took a couple of hours due to connectivity issues, but it eventually succeeded in updating. Furthermore, the one and a half meter tall RTK antenna is finicky and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to register fully, provided it can establish a strong enough GPS signal to begin mapping. A good amount of trial and error went into this step.

Both the user-driven mapping and AI mapping capabilities performed well on the Genie 3000, and the camera system accurately distinguished the boundaries of the testing area. Though most of the area was fenced in, there were multiple ambiguous spots that the Genie was able to categorize as no-go zones. However, the quicker option proved to be the manual mapping option, as the testing area has a more complex shape. Either way, users can edit the map at any time, and the app offers a variety of tools to modify the mowing landscape, among other features.

Once the map is configured, the Anthbot app's home screen displays the current map and provides users with various mowing, zoning, and scheduling options that utilize the app's AI functionality. In testing, we blocked out several areas and tested the zoning options on a larger map. Additionally, the edge editing options enable users to define how close the mower approaches the map boundary, ensuring that the mower only cuts within its capabilities.

To begin mowing, users can specify whether they would like to mow the entire map, a specific zone, or a designated spot on the map. After mowing begins, users can connect to the mower using WiFi or Bluetooth to end the current task and send the mower back to the charging station. Interestingly, neither the manual nor the app provides instructions on how to configure the onboard 4G module. However, the Genie 3000 does have a built-in LoRa module that helps with maintaining a signal with the RTK station over longer distances.

Extend settings give users access to features such as anti-theft mode, language settings for mower spoken notifications, and different tolerance levels for the mower object detection system, which was left at the default medium setting for testing. The manual control feature is also available in this menu, allowing users to operate the mower using the smartphone's virtual controls. However, this relies on Bluetooth connectivity to function, so wirelessly controlling the mower is limited to the Bluetooth range of the user's device.

The Genie 3000 utilizes RTK, LoRa, and 4G to navigate the lawn, and when properly configured, these systems work effectively. However, setting up the RTK station was constantly a problematic affair. Even when given an open space far enough from obstructions, the RTK antenna would take between 10 and 15 minutes to make a connection. Additionally, the strength of the connection did not impact the creation of grass streaks, even when mowing a smaller area of the lawn directly in front of the antenna. While the streaking is a concern, the Genie was able to navigate around the entire testing area without getting stuck and completed the whole map.

The quad-camera system performed a solid job of detecting all relevant obstacles while mowing and successfully identified our test animal dummies, non-grass areas, and a few neighborhood cats that made their way onto the testing area. However, the system may work a little too well, as even a fallen magnolia leaf proved to be a concern when encountered by the Genie. Nevertheless, the solid performance inspires confidence that the mower will safely navigate the lawn when unattended. Although not explicitly recommended, the Genie 3000 performed well mowing at night due to its built-in LED light.

As previously mentioned, the Genie 3000 ran out of battery when mowing a 520m² space for over two and a half hours. Given that users will likely have to charge the Genie two for each mowing session, the estimated power usage of its 18V 10Ah battery is projected to be 0.41 kWh per mowing session. Since the mower will likely be in use for an extended period, the measured 66.2 dB audio levels will minimize noise pollution produced by the mower. Additionally, upon reaching a full charge, the Genie will auto-sleep and won't start charging again until powered on.