>wouldn't mind wires so much

I'm pretty sure the loop is just a 14ga copper thhn wire. I vaguely recall it requires some sort of low-voltage signal, but I could certainly be wrong on that point.

>robomow

Never liked that brand much. Generally poor reviews. Maybe they've improved.  I passed up one of those (top model, low hours, $500-ish) on CL just a few months ago.

>> pink, glittery dust

excellent idea - or a small forcefield generated by a hat they could wear when roaming free.

If we're able too move onto getting rid of wires by training edges, I feel like we could be training it to follow macros. That way it would be a lot more efficient and not get stuck behind the veg patch in the first place.

But now we're making progress it raises more mundane problems, like how does accidentally mowing over a dog turd effect it (can we have an auto wash option?) and could we not make it solar powered so it needs less top ups?

>excellent idea

I knew you'd approve.

>macros

You just lost 98% of the market, but I'd like to have that option. The random pattern is so inefficient/maddening.

>dog
If you'll search images, you'll see that the floorbots have this problem.  Then again, don't search, it's disgusting.

>solar

Efficiency/weight ratio is not high enough yet, but that option will come one day.

>dogs

Seems there is a cowpoopbot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bphBIwv5Vp8

> http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Battery-Powered-Sprayer-Black-White/dp/B004G7PADK/

This worked like a charm.  Excellent sprayer.  Mixed up some vinegar and dish liquid (skipping the salt) and it browned most of the weeds.  I'll re-treat them but with the ingredients being so cheap and eco-friendly compared to Roundup its a big win win all around.

rc - what about the old tried and true method of a self-propelled "push" mower, a pinion in the center of the lawn and a rope on the front wheel?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tNVOhtvPEw

>sprayer

Glad you like it. Works well for me and my minimalist lawn work scheme.

> self-propelled

I think it would take 30-40 circles to do my yard.

Related:  When I was 6 or 7, my brother and I lashed a commercial, spinning-jaws-of-death, self-propelled REEL mower to a (high-$) wicker perambulator and took off down the road.  When he caught up to us, my old man would have killed us except he was laughing too hard.

<added>
Like this one. Drop-front design, so we fashioned a buggy out of it.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/wNkAAOSwPhdVKyEE/$_1.JPG

:-)

I feel like anywhere I've been where you mix free-range kids, power tools and open space, some variation of that happens.

iRobot's robotic lawn mower gets U.S. regulatory approval

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/12/us-irobot-lawnmower-fcc-idUSKCN0QH2CV20150812

This is gonna be cool.  I wonder what the price will be?

For an autonomous one, my guess (crudely based on competitive models) would be $1000 for 1/4 acre model, $2500 for 1/2 acre,  $3500 for acre

Honda jumping into the robot mower market.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/5413512659001/?#sp=show-clips

^{<years later, and I STILL don't have a damn robot mower>}

iRobot's Terra clears the lawn like its robot vacs clean a room
https://newatlas.com/irobot-terra-robot-mower/58264/

About time!  I do like the beacons as opposed to burying wire.