Robotic lawn mowers represented the second largest category of household autonomous robots used by the end of 2005. A typical robotic lawn mower requires the user to set up a border wire around the lawn that defines the area to be mowed. The robot uses this wire to trim and in some cases to locate a recharging dock. Robotic mowers are capable of maintaining up to 5 acres of grass. Electricity usage varies from about 100 watts (comparable to a light bulb) for 1/2 acre to 500 watts (comparable to a refrigerator) to maintain 5 acres.

Robotic lawnmowers are increasingly sophisticated, are self-docking and contain rain sensors nearly eliminating human interaction for mowing grass. Some models will adapt their programming by detecting the speed in which grass grows as needed to maintain a perfect cut lawn.

The Friendly Robotics mower uses sophisticated tiling algorithms to calculate the most effective pattern for cutting the entire lawn. Lawnbott mowers rely on a combination of random and smart spiraling patterns combined with quick charging and longer mowing times to ensure an evenly cut lawn. Smart spiraling starts randomly or when the robot senses high grass patches.