Hybrid Power - Not Just for Cars, Good Enough for Lawnmowers as Well

With all of the auto makers pushing the limits of hybrid technology, it is no surprise to see the lawn mower industry finally following suit. Southern RobotX is leading the way with the introduction of hybrid remote control lawn mowers. While hybrid lawn mowers will not end our planet's pollution problems, they will reduce the amount of damage we do to the environment until someone comes up with an engine that runs off of seawater, or some other alternative fuel source. "Independent studies have shown that mowing the lawn does the same amount of damage to the environment as driving a car about 100 miles." - environmentalleader.com. That does not include those who use 2-stroke weed eaters as lawn mowers on slopes and ditches.

Electric mowers have been around for a while, and are very environmentally friendly. There are some really impressive robotic units that are fully automatic with sensors for this, that, and the other. However, most consumers look for products that benefit them, and not just the environment. Electric mowers are only practical on small lawns without slopes. One generally has to bury wires in the yard similar to the invisible dog fence systems and fool with charging batteries or extension cords. Remote control lawn mowers from Southern RobotX utilize a patented hybrid power system that reduces fuel consumption by 40% (compared to other mowers), while remaining practical on any lawn. And, of course, the most environmentally friendly mower is still the push reel from the days of Beaver Cleaver. But then again, it boils down to the practicality of the mower. If not many people use it, it is not doing the environment any good.

Slope mowing capabilities up to 70 degrees is where these remote control lawn mowers really become practical, and not just fun. Lawn care professionals are benefiting from increased productivity, while the environment is benefiting from reduced air pollution. A lawn care professional generally resorts to 6 or 8 men, equipped with ozone-eating weed eaters, for slopes over 40 degrees. Now they use one man, equipped with a remote control lawn mower, to take on the slopes and ditches. The others are out focusing on productivity. It is a win-win situation for the environment as well as lawn care professionals.

On the residential side of things, these remote control lawn mowers are very elderly and disabled friendly with the simple, one finger joystick control. Believe it or not, many senior citizens actually enjoy lawn maintenance, but are no longer able to enjoy the satisfaction of maintaining their own lawn due to the physical demands of traditional lawn mowing equipment. So, once again, it is another win-win situation for the environment and the consumer. Mowing the lawn is no longer a chore and, with a remote control lawn mower, is actually kind of fun.

Reducing the environmental issues with Mother Earth requires much more than just a group effort to get everyone on board with going green when the "group" is everyone in the world. Only a small percentage of the world's population is concerned with the environment. Green technology (even if it is not 100% green) benefiting the consumer, and not just the environment, is a clever way to get those that are not concerned with the depleting ozone layer to do their part without even knowing it. So, until they come out with seawater powered engines, hybrid power is the way to go.