Robot Lawnmowers Converge on RTK Plus Lidar or vSLAM Navigation, The Verge Finds in Five-Mower Test

The Verge tested five robot lawnmowers from Segway, Mammotion, Husqvarna, Roborock, and Dreame on a three-quarter-acre property in coastal South Carolina, published August 13, 2026. Four of five rely on RTK satellite positioning with a secondary system — lidar or vSLAM — to bridge GPS signal loss under tree canopy and near buildings. Dreame alone uses lidar without RTK.