If you have $4,000 to spare –it just might.
This fall, The Kobi Company showed off the world’s first multi-functional robot for yard work in all seasons. While Kobi may appear to be an ordinary lawn mower or snow blower, the company is boasting its 3-in-1 functionality.
(Image Credit: The Kobi Company)
The autonomous robot can remove snow, mow the lawn, and clean up leaves.
Users can sync the robot to their phone using an accompanying app, which allows him or her to drive Kobi around the yard or driveway, in order for it get to know it’s surroundings, perimeter, and obstacles. The app is also used to teach Kobi where to blow snow or dump leaves.
Kobi relies on GPS and a suite of sensors to achieve its inch-level position accuracy and also features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile data connectivity.
All of these features allow Kobi to perform intelligent tasks like weather forecast monitoring, so it can alert its user accordingly and begin clearing snowfall as soon as it starts. Additional built-in safety features, such as Kobi’s camera and ultrasonic sensors help to detect objects and immediately shut down its operation when necessary.
“People are increasingly searching for ways to improve their work-life balance and spend more time on what truly matters to them,” said Steven Waelbers, co-founder and CTO of The Kobi Company. “Kobi helps them achieve additional leisure time by acting as a personal gardener that’s available 24/7. For individuals who have difficulties performing yard work due to health issues, the convenience is even greater. Snow removal can be a physically challenging task, and is linked to hundreds of heart attacks and injuries every year. With Kobi, people no longer need to go outside in the cold to shovel snow.”
Beginning in December 2016, 10 beta versions of the robot will be available as the company’s engineers gather feedback. The yard-work robots will be available to the general public in the northeast United States in early 2017. Prices start at $3,999.
