First Robot Mower That Sharpens Its Own Blades Debuts, BGR Reports
Summary written by AI from BGR. Read the original source for this article.
A Robotic Mower That Maintains Its Own Edge
Most robot lawn mower owners know the chore: blades dull, and swapping them is fiddly enough that it often gets forgotten. According to BGR, a new autonomous lawn mower from Pudu Robotics, the Pudu Tomo, aims to take that task off your list by sharpening its own blades at the charging station. It is also the company's first consumer device, following years of building robots for restaurants and commercial floor cleaning.
How the Self-Sharpening System Works
Pudu calls the feature SharpLoop. BGR reports that when the Tomo returns to its dock after mowing, it spins its rotary blades against a stone edge at 24 degrees before heading back out. The blades are made of corrosion-resistant 65Mn steel, built for outdoor conditions.
Sharpening happens automatically after roughly 30 hours of use, and owners can also trigger it from the app, according to BGR. The outlet notes that Pudu hasn't shared how long a set of blades will last or what replacements cost. BGR also points out that sharpening removes metal, so any given blade has a finite number of cycles.
Why does edge sharpness matter? BGR explains that a dull blade tears the tip off each grass blade rather than slicing it cleanly, and those torn tips can turn brown within a day or two, leaving a lawn looking tired even right after a cut. BGR also compares the idea to robot vacuum docks that wash and dry their own mop pads, and says the Tomo brings that kind of automatic upkeep to robot mowers for the first time.
Cutting Deck and Navigation
Per BGR's report, the cutting system pairs two 636 W motors with a 15.7-inch dual-blade deck spinning at up to 6,000 RPM. The blades are shaped to move air and lift flattened grass into the cutting path, while a rear discharge channel pushes clippings out behind the deck instead of letting them pack in. BGR says this should help reduce clogging in wet grass.
For smart mowing without a perimeter wire, the Tomo needs no boundary wire or manual mapping during setup. BGR says it maps the lawn on its first run, identifying edges and planning a route. Its navigation sensor combines:
- A 360-degree LiDAR unit paired with a solid-state sensor
- An AI vision system that distinguishes grass from paving and other objects
- NRTK positioning that Pudu claims reaches centimeter accuracy without a base station
BGR adds that LiDAR should help the mower stay on track around lots of trees, and suggests Pudu's commercial robot history gives it a large pool of training data for its vision system.
Traction and Terrain
The Tomo uses four independent hub motors. Pudu rates it for slopes up to 45 degrees and obstacles up to 2.4 inches high, according to BGR. The deck can lift to follow ground contours, and rear-wheel steering lets the mower turn in place without reversing back and forth, which BGR says can damage turf. To keep the cut looking fresh, it returns home along the perimeter rather than crossing the lawn.
Three Models, Spring 2027 Target
BGR reports three versions, all with self-sharpening, wire-free mapping, and four-wheel drive as standard. Pricing hasn't been confirmed; the company is aiming for a spring 2027 launch.
- S150: lawns up to about 54,000 sq ft (5,000 sq m); 210 minutes per charge on a 15 Ah battery; 50 mowing zones
- S130: about 32,000 sq ft (3,000 sq m); 140 minutes; 30 zones
- S115: around 16,000 sq ft (1,500 sq m); 115 minutes; 15 zones
BGR says blade speed drops from 6,000 RPM to 5,000 RPM on both smaller models. All three carry an IPX7 rating, lift and perimeter alarms, and built-in 4G.
What This Means for You
If blade maintenance is the part of robotic mower ownership you tend to skip, a self-sharpening dock is a notable idea, and BGR frames it as a first for the category. Keep expectations measured for now: pricing is unconfirmed, the launch is targeted for spring 2027, and Pudu hasn't disclosed blade lifespan or replacement costs, which will affect real-world ownership costs. Because the claims above come from BGR's report and Pudu's stated figures, they are worth confirming against the final product specs.
For larger properties, the model range scales by lawn size, so match your yard to the S115, S130, or S150 rather than assuming the top model is necessary. Professional landscapers evaluating fleet automation may also note that the maker comes from commercial robotics, though BGR doesn't say anything about a commercial version of the Tomo.
FAQ
How does the Pudu Tomo sharpen its blades?
According to BGR, the mower spins its blades against a stone edge at 24 degrees at the charging station after mowing. It does this automatically after about 30 hours of use, or on demand through the app.
Does this robot lawn mower need a boundary wire?
No. BGR reports the Tomo needs no boundary wire or manual mapping, instead mapping the lawn during its first run using LiDAR, AI vision, and NRTK positioning.
When will it launch and how much will it cost?
Pricing hasn't been confirmed, per BGR. Pudu is aiming for