Suzanne Matta's phone pings with an alert. Rosie is upside down. A glance at the app finds where in the yard Rosie is stuck, and Suzanne runs outside. Rosie is catawampus under a big spruce.
"Oh my gosh, Rosie, are you okay?" Suzanne helps the little robot off a tree root. After checking that Rosie's four wheels touch ground, Suzanne taps a button, and Rosie toddles off to continue her silent work.
Rosie is not a living creature, but a robotic lawn mower about the size of a tortoise. To Suzanne, who refers to the machine as 'she,' Rosie is a much relied upon member of the household that feels very much like a pet. Suzanne named Rosie after the robotic maid in the 1960s cartoon show The Jetsons. A quasi-intelligent machine helping around the house? Far out. And Rosie helps quite a bit. The robot mows nearly an acre surrounding the Matta home.
Robotic mowing is not a new concept -a model was patented in 1972-but it hasn't been widely adopted in the United States. It certainly costs something to buy the equipment, and the installation process is not that easy, especially for models that require boundary wires. It helps to be a bit tech-savvy and willing to dig around on the Internet to troubleshoot the inevitable glitch. There is also a big gap in the market for servicing the equipment and providing homeowners with support. Still, there are situations where it makes sense to invest the funds and effort to set it up.
The Pluses
For Suzanne and her husband, Frank, it was a strategic decision to get Rosie. They thoroughly enjoy the space and privacy that their property affords. Pre-Rosie, Frank did all the mowing on its five acres.
Denne historien er fra September - October 2022-utgaven av Horticulture.
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Denne historien er fra September - October 2022-utgaven av Horticulture.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
GAGA FOR GALANTHUS
As easy as they are irresistible, snowdrops boast a devoted and growing following
NEW PLANTS
Multiseason Marvels
BLUEBERRIES & CO.
Members of the genus Vaccinium provide sweet flavor, health benefits and beauty in the garden
AN ECOLOGICAL AGREEMENT
How three great minds think alike
Take It Indoors
Cs the growing season dwindles, _ potted cittus became a summer souuenir
ROOTED IN PLACE
LAYERING IS A PROPAGATION TECHNIQUE THAT TAKES A WHILE TO COMPLETE, BUT IT DEMANDS LITTLE EFFORT FROM THE GARDENER
AT HOME WITH PLANTS
Business travel and pleasure trips helped inspire this Cincinnati garden
THE GARDEN GOES DARK
Yes, gardens have their dark side. But-surprise! A garden's darkness can be good, not sinister.
LOW-WATER WONDERS
EXPLORE ONE PLANTSMAN'S DROUGHT-TOLERANT FAVORITES FOR EACH LEVEL OF THE GARDEN
Succeed With Succession- The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right
The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right. Once a crop like spring turnips or snap peas has finished, I tidy up the bed, amend the soil with a thin layer of compost and replant. Depending on the new crop, I may be sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings.
