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MagyarNavimow i105E in a practical test: Segway's affordable robotic mower does without a boundary wire thanks to EFLS 2.0
Just in time for the 2024 gardening season, Segway has launched its second robotic lawnmower with its Navimow brand, following its debut with the H-Series two years ago. Strictly speaking, there are two models called Navimow - i105E and Navimow i108E - which are designed for smaller gardens with mowing areas of 500 and 800 square meters respectively.
Both robotic lawnmowers are identical in construction, apart from the battery capacity and, therefore, the mowing time. In the practical test, we have the smaller Navimow i105E model, i.e. the version designed for up to 500 square meters. I initially tested the robotic lawnmower without a boundary wire in a small terraced garden to gain some initial insights. Later, the Navimow i105E will also be able to prove its skills in a larger and more angled area. I will then update this review accordingly.
Features: What the Navimow i105E and i108E offer
Let's start with the scope of delivery of the Navimow i105E. In addition to the robotic lawnmower, it comes with an obligatory charging station, power supply unit, and ground screws for fastening. There is also a GNSS antenna with a two-part rod and ground spike, as well as extension cables for power and antenna and some accessories in the form of replacement blades, instructions, and the like.
Let's move on to the technical features of the Navimow i105E, which are identical to the Navimow i108E apart from the battery. EFLS 2.0 for navigation is particularly worth mentioning here. This is an AI-enhanced GNSS positioning system which, in combination with the supplied antenna and connections to GPS satellites, is responsible for orientation in the garden.
Segway has also installed a VisionFence camera at the front. It helps with navigation and, with a 140-degree field of vision, is also used to detect and avoid obstacles. According to the manufacturer, AI is also at work here to automatically detect and avoid more than 20 different obstacles. We reveal how well this worked in practice in our Navimow i105E test below.
There is a round plate on the top with a rotary control that can be used to manually adjust the cutting height of the 18 cm wide cutting disc on the underside between 20 and 60 cm. There is no automatic adjustment as with the H-series, but this would be too much at the price of the i-series. Navimow has also installed an LED ring under the disk, which provides information on the various statuses and is easy to see from a distance. For example, the color indicates whether the robot is charging or has poor GPS reception.
In addition to a small display, there are three buttons on the robotic lawnmower itself for rudimentary operation and a large, red stop button for an emergency stop. The connection to the smartphone with the Navimow app is made via Bluetooth and WLAN. For large gardens, Segway Navimow offers the optional Navimow Access+ accessory. For 99.99 euros RRP, the module expands the robotic lawnmower to include 4G mobile radio (included for one year) if there is no full Wi-Fi coverage in the garden, as well as anti-theft protection (geofencing).
Setup: First steer the robotic lawnmower, then relax
First, the station must be placed in the garden. Only two cables need to be connected here - one for the power supply and one for the RTK antenna. Extension cables are included for both in order to be able to cover greater distances to the desired antenna location and a power socket.
The robotic lawnmower placed on the charging station must then be connected to the Navimow app, which is available free of charge for Android and iOS. The app is very helpful and not only guides the user through the initial setup but also explains many things. In my opinion, there is no reason for criticism here. These screenshots provide a few impressions of the first steps in the setup process.
The Navimow i150E does not require the time-consuming laying of a boundary wire. This makes the initial installation much easier and faster. Instead, the robot is steered once along the boundaries via the app, just like a remote-controlled car, to create a virtual map.
This actually works quite well practically but requires a little dexterity and practice to cover a lawn area in the best possible way (i.e. up to all edges). This is where the eraser function comes in handy if you get lost. It ensures that the robot automatically moves back a little along the previously traveled route. Adjustments can also be made at any time.
Segway also provides a new AI-supported assist mapping function. Here, the robot independently recognizes the boundaries of a lawn area if these are noticeably raised (e.g. at the transition to sidewalk or patio slabs). The AI assistance can also only be used for sections when creating a map, but this was only possible to a limited extent on the test plot. More on this later on a second test site.
Once the area to be mowed has been covered - several separate zones are also possible here for a divided lawn area as well as blocked areas - the virtual map is saved in the app. Now you can start mowing the lawn for the first time with the Navimow i105E.
In addition to setup and operation, the app also offers various options and settings. In addition to the latest firmware versions installation when updates are available, the app also provides an overview of the processes, the option of creating a mowing schedule for automatic mowing at set times, and changing various settings such as the sound or light. There are also help videos, instructions, and contact details for Segway Navimow customer service.
Mowing: Wireless and systematic, but common problems at the edge
In contrast to the previous models, the Navimow i105E offers the advantage of intelligent navigation as a new-generation robotic lawnmower without a boundary wire. This means that it mows lawns systematically and not chaotically. This is significantly more efficient and, therefore, saves time and energy, and also ensures that it mows everywhere.
In the test, the navigation and mowing in lines worked excellently. The robot moved across the lawn path by path. It changes direction in the garden from mowing to mowing, which should benefit the lawn.
It is also remarkable how precisely the Segway robot adheres to the virtual boundaries that were saved during setup. There is a maximum deviation of a few centimeters, so according to our test impressions, this works well and reliably. It remains to be seen how it will perform on larger surfaces and, therefore, at greater distances from its own antenna. The climbing ability of up to 30 percent and the wheels, which are particularly suitable for off-road use thanks to their 24.5 cm size, could not yet be tested in the test area. More on this later in an update.
If the lawn merges seamlessly into paths, patios, or other flat areas at the same height, it can drive directly on the virtual border and thus mow without leaving any edges. This is very good but requires a suitably equipped garden.
However, the Segway Navimow i105E also leaves quite a large gap along raised flowerbed borders or other obstacles, which is mainly due to the centrally positioned mower deck. Its distance to the outer edge of the robotic lawnmower is around 10 cm plus the distance when driving past, which means that either very wide lawn edging stones have to be laid along edges that are not at ground level or they have to be reworked manually regularly.
A few other models with a mower that is offset to the side solve this problem better. Ultimately, however, the problem of mowing edges also occurs with almost all other robotic lawnmowers. For example, it is not as simple as with robotic vacuum cleaners, where more and more models with a retractable mop or an extending side brush for edge-free vacuuming and mopping are currently coming onto the market. This is not so easy with robotic mowers. The garden must be set up accordingly, or it must be reworked manually.
Obstacle detection: Segway Navimow i105E has no heart for fluffy hedgehogs
In addition to wireless and systematic navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance is one of the flagship features of the Navimow i105E and i108E. According to the manufacturer, the robotic mower recognizes significantly more obstacles than its competitors. In addition to natural obstacles such as hedgehogs and molehills, this also includes many common objects that can be found in gardens, e.g. garden gnomes, trampolines and soccer goals, garden tools, and more.
Of course, this has to be proven in a practical test. And there was a small moment of shock and disappointment at the beginning. The robotic lawnmower did indeed see a rather realistic-looking plush hedgehog - at least it stopped briefly in places - only to then drive mercilessly over the soft toy.
A hedgehog garden figure that looks even more realistic than the plush companion, on the other hand, was always reliably recognized. A real hedgehog didn't show up for a real test - and unfortunately Sonic the Hedgehog didn't have time either.
The Navimow i105E also successfully detected and avoided all other obstacles placed in front of the robotic lawnmower camera, such as a rake, a small flower pot, and more. Overall, the obstacle detection works reliably, if we disregard the small slip-up with a soft toy.
If the Segway mower detects an obstacle at one point, it turns around and continues mowing in the opposite direction. Later, it returns to the spot to achieve full coverage if the obstacle has been removed in the meantime.
Pro
+ simple setup without boundary cable
+ systematic mowing
+ borderless mowing on flat transitions
+ obstacle detection
+ comprehensive and sophisticated app
+ can be optionally retrofitted with 4G and theft protection
+ low price
Contra
- rather wide mowing edge for transitions not at ground level
- minor doubts about hedgehog detection
Verdict: Intelligent, inexpensive, good
Our impressions of the Navimow i105E in the practical test are predominantly positive. The robot mower is quick to set up, navigates systematically, and recognizes almost all obstacles. The app also makes a good impression and always provides an overview of the robot's current position and processed areas, for example, when mowing.
Another big plus point is the price of the Navimow i105E. For 999 euros RRP, Segway offers an exciting overall package for smaller gardens at a manageable price.
There are problems, especially when mowing along edges if they are not on the same level. However, this is more or less the case with all robotic mowers.
In our opinion, the Navimow i105E (or the Navimow i108E) is currently one of the best solutions on the market for all garden owners who do not want to spend time laying a perimeter wire, especially for smaller gardens.
Price and availability of the Segway Navimow i105E
The recommended retail price for the Navimow i105E for 500 square meters from Segway is 999 euros. The RRP for the Navimow i108E for up to 800 square meters is 1,299 euros. The smaller model is available directly from the manufacturer but will soon be available from other retailers such as Amazon. At Obi, the Navimow i105E is already available. The larger model is available from specialist dealers. (Update 25.3.2024)
Transparency
The present review sample was made available to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or a shop for the purposes of review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review.
