11/05/2026
The Mow-How 🌱
Why the flagship X4 uses NRTK + 360° Vision instead of LiDAR
One of the most common questions we’ve seen since launching the X4 is:
“Why doesn’t the flagship model use LiDAR?”
Fair question — LiDAR is often associated with “high-end tech.”
But when designing the X4, we didn’t choose technology based on what sounds the most advanced on paper. We chose the system that works best for the environment the X4 is actually built for: large, open lawns.
Here’s the thinking behind it 👇
1. Large lawns are actually difficult for LiDAR
LiDAR performs extremely well in smaller, feature-rich environments — places with walls, furniture, edges, and dense structures.
But large lawns are different.
In wide open spaces, LiDAR has fewer “reference points” to lock onto. A huge open lawn can actually become a challenging environment for LiDAR-only positioning.
That’s why the X4 uses an RTK-first architecture:
RTK handles positioning in open areas with high precision
360° Vision only steps in when satellite signals become obstructed
Instead of constantly relying on multiple heavy systems at once, each technology focuses on what it does best.
2. Why we moved to NRTK
Traditional RTK works well — but rooftop antennas and base station setup can be frustrating.
With Network RTK (NRTK), the X4:
Requires no rooftop antenna installation
Removes local transmission distance limitations
Uses 4G connectivity for large-property coverage
Supports triple-band multi-constellation GNSS for stronger stability
Includes lifetime free access for consumer users
The goal was simple:
flagship-level precision, without flagship-level setup headaches.
3. 360° Vision isn’t replacing RTK — it complements it
When the mower moves near tall walls, dense trees, or signal-obstructed areas, the 360° Vision system takes over temporarily.
Using 3-camera panoramic vision + AI optimization, the X4 can:
maintain stable positioning
recognize landmarks
adapt to shadows, glare, and lighting changes
This creates smoother transitions between RTK and Vision coverage.
4. Obstacle avoidance is about understanding objects — not just detecting them
LiDAR can detect that “something” is there.
But the X4’s Vision + ToF depth system is designed to understand what the object actually is.
That allows the mower to react differently to:
pets
people
branches
lawn furniture
Resulting in smoother and more intelligent navigation behavior.
The philosophy behind the X4
The goal wasn’t to stack as many sensors as possible for a spec-sheet battle.
The goal was to build:
a system optimized for large lawns
a smoother ownership experience
a mower that quietly works in the background without constant intervention
RTK handles the open spaces.
360° Vision fills the gaps.
NRTK removes the setup burden.
That’s the architecture philosophy behind the X4 🌿