From idea to global market leader

From idea to global market leader - Husqvarna Group celebrates 25 years in the robotic mowing industry.

Robotic innovation is a core pillar in our strategy. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the revolutionary Automower®, a special limited-edition of Husqvarna Automower® 315X was recently launched. But how did it all start? In 1995, we took the first step into a new product segment with the launch of the world’s first commercial robotic lawn mower which started to change the way lawns are maintained all over the world. Fast forward to 2020 and our lineup of Automower models has grown.

Innovation leadership since 1995

In 1992, our CEO at the time saw the potential in robotic mowing and formed a group of engineers that developed what would become the first Husqvarna robotic mower, the Husqvarna Solar mower. Three years later, the company released its first generation of Husqvarna Automower®, a robotic mower which returned to a grid-connected charger to charge its battery. This made it possible to mow the lawn around the clock and regardless of weather. The mower knew when the battery required charging and returned automatically to the charging station.

The second generation of Husqvarna Automower® was introduced in 2003. This platform featured a new design and several improvements. Later other models based on this platform were launched, for example a mower that could manage lawns up to 6000 m2 and a hybrid mower with both solar cells and battery. Now, Husqvarna robotic mowers start making their way into residential properties all over the world.

The third generation Husqvarna Automower® platform arrived in 2011. The first models focused on small lawns and compact size. Later came higher capacity mowers equipped with connectivity. Five years later, Husqvarna Automower® 430X and 450X were introduced, both equipped with the X-line feature package including Automower® Connect with GPS theft tracking, GPS assisted navigation, LED headlights, front rubber bumper and X-line body design.

Husqvarna’s first robotic mowers for green space professionals, Husqvarna Automower® 520 and 550, were introduced in 2018. Equipped with professional controls for simplified interaction and remote control and surveillance through Husqvarna Fleet Services, these mowers were designed for more robust tasks and to save professionals time and effort.

With connectivity and smartness in focus, Husqvarna integrated Automower® Connect with several smart home services in 2018 - enabling users with a smart home hub to have a voice-controlled interaction with their mower. It also features an open API which lets users connect the app with IFTTT and create custom applets.

In 2019, the first all-wheel drive robotic mowers were launched, Husqvarna Automower® 435X AWD for residential customers and Husqvarna Automower® 535 AWD for professional customers. Being all wheel drive machines, both mowers can handle inclines of up to 70%.

Husqvarna expands innovation leadership

To further manifest our technology leadership, we made several other advancements and launches throughout 2019. Including the announcement of the EPOS technology, a satellite-based solution for a new series of professional Husqvarna Automower® robotic mowers, enabling mowing with virtual boundaries. Along with the Autonomous Operations System which utilizes the EPOS technology to maintain larger green spaces and increase productivity, work environment and workspace safety.

2019 we saw another milestone as we reached the two million mark in our manufacturing of robotic mowers.