The market for cordless robotic lawn mowers is growing rapidly, and more and more manufacturers are entering the market with models that do not require a cumbersome boundary wire. ANTHBOT, a comparatively young supplier in this segment, has launched a new generation of devices with the M series, which is deliberately aimed at owners of small to medium-sized gardens. The top model in the series, the M9, is based on a combination of full-band RTK navigation and a dual AI camera system – and at a price that is significantly lower than many competitors with comparable features. We have tested the M9 extensively in everyday use and take a look at what it can really do.
Technical data of the ANTHBOT M9
| Model | ANTHBOT M9 |
| Dimensions | 49.8 × 39.2 × 25.1 cm |
| weight | 9.8 kg |
| Recommended lawn area | max. 900 m² |
| Max. gradient | 45% |
| Cutting width | 20 cm (5 rotating stainless steel blades) |
| Water protection class | IPX6 |
| Cutting height | 3 to 7 cm |
| Navigation | Full-band RTK with separate antenna (optional: NetRTK via 4G) |
| Obstacle detection | AI camera |
| price | € 599.00 * |
Scope of delivery
1× M9 robotic lawnmower
1× charging station
1× power supply unit
1× Extension cable
1× RTK reference station
1× Mounting pole
1× ground spike
1× RTK extension cable
1× Set of spare blades (5 pieces)
1× Tool set
Design and workmanship of the ANTHBOT M9
ANTHBOT has packed the M9 into a comparatively compact housing. Visually, it is rather restrained and does not have a playful design. Thanks to its sober design, it hides very well in smaller gardens despite the light-colored housing. The silhouette with clearly contoured edges gives the device a professional appearance, and the robot appears robust in the touch and impact test. The compact format is noticeable as soon as it is unpacked: The housing measures around 49.8 × 39.2 × 25.1 cm and weighs just under 10 kilograms.
The top is in light gray/silver, the base and housing frame are in anthracite. In addition to the obligatory red STOP button, there are three membrane buttons (Mow, OK and Home) as well as four status LEDs and a three-part battery indicator on the top. There is no display. The rain sensor and a safety key are also located there. Thanks to the compact housing, the M9 should also be able to drive through passages from 65 cm wide – a clear advantage for gardens with narrow side paths or separate lawns.
Setup and commissioning
The “10-minute, wireless setup” promised by ANTHBOT is perhaps a little optimistic, but it took around 30 minutes to unpack the M9 with all its accessories, set up the RTK antenna and the mower base, create a user account and start mapping.
The initial setup is done via Bluetooth: The ANTHBOT app is installed, Bluetooth is activated, the automatic device search is started and the recognized robot is tapped. After assigning a name and a firmware check, the initial setup is complete. Please note that the cable length to the RTK antenna may be a little short for some gardens. In addition, as with all RTK systems: The antenna requires a reasonably clear view of the sky in order to function stably.
A minimum distance of 3 to 5 meters from larger trees or buildings is recommended. After a short period of familiarization, mapping the boundaries works reliably. Although it is not quite as convenient as with some competitors, it works well after a short trial and error. Plus points are awarded for the multi-zone management of up to 20 mowing areas with separate cutting heights and individual schedules for each zone.
ANTHBOT app
The ANTHBOT app is the central control center for the M9 and makes a tidy impression overall. The map management offers various functions: In addition to a backup to save a map, the behavior at edges can be set, different zones including paths can be created and the current map can be adjusted. Various settings such as schedules, behavior in the rain, an anti-theft mode and firmware updates round off the range of functions.
The automatic deployment planning is particularly practical: the app takes into account the local sunrise and sunset times as well as the data from the rain sensor for rescheduling – the user does not have to intervene manually. The only thing missing is a live video function for the front cameras, which would have been possible with the existing camera technology and would have further increased the added value of the app.
One important clarification: the map is stored locally on the robot itself, meaning the M9 mows autonomously without requiring an active internet connection. A Wi-Fi or 4G connection is only needed if you want to remotely control or monitor the mower via the app. The 4G remote access option comes with an optional annual subscription of 39.99 euros – an extra, not a requirement for everyday mowing.
Navigation and obstacle detection
The M9 uses full-band RTK in combination with two 150° wide-angle cameras. If satellite signals are blocked by buildings or trees, it switches to visual odometry: the cameras search for visual references to maintain the route. In the test, the navigation in the close range of the RTK antenna showed its best side: the paths were followed precisely and evenly, and the robot reliably adhered to its defined limits.
As the distance to the base station increased, however, the signal quality became noticeably weaker – the M9 occasionally lost the connection and had noticeable difficulties finding its bearings. This can be a problem for large gardens where large parts of the lawn are far away from the RTK antenna. The AI-supported obstacle detection of the two front cameras is trained on more than 1,000 object types, including people, animals and typical objects in the garden.
In practice, the camera-based system worked quite reliably: Obstacles such as garden furniture, toys or pets were recognized and avoided without the robot getting stuck. The M9 left the map boundaries slightly once during the test, which led to it getting stuck on an edge. A safe distance should therefore always be maintained from potential sources of danger when mapping.
Mowing performance
ANTHBOT specifies a mowing performance of up to 150 m² per hour. The 5 Ah battery offers a solid capacity with a charging time of around 90 minutes, which is often sufficient for a complete mowing in typical medium-sized gardens. For larger areas, the M9 automatically returns to the station and continues the mowing job after charging.
The cutting pattern is generally good: the lawn is cut evenly and quietly, the noise level is below 58 dB in normal operation, which makes it pleasantly unobtrusive even when used in the early hours of the morning or in the evening. However, the practical test revealed a known problem with RTK robotic lawn mowers.
Occasionally, unmown paths were left standing, which is presumably due to minimal positioning inaccuracies during navigation. These gaps were generally closed during a second pass. The cutting height can be adjusted electrically between 30 and 70 mm, which is not a matter of course in this price range.
Conclusion
The ANTHBOT M9 is a solid mid-range robot mower that impresses with its compact design, modern RTK navigation and reliable AI obstacle detection. Importantly, autonomous mowing works entirely offline – the map is stored locally on the device and no permanent internet connection is required. For gardens up to around 900 m² with a good line of sight to the RTK antenna, it is a recommendable and attractively priced alternative to more expensive models with LiDAR technology. There are limitations, particularly in terms of signal stability: if you have a spacious garden with a large distance to the RTK base station, you should carefully test the navigation under real conditions. The occasional dropping of individual mowing paths also tarnishes the otherwise good overall picture slightly.
PROS
- Compact design
- Full-band RTK navigation with dual AI camera
- Multi-zone management for up to 20 areas
- Significantly more affordable than comparable competitor models
- Automatic scheduling with weather and light sensor
- Precise navigation in close proximity to RTK antenna
CONS
- RTK signal loss at distance from base station
- Annual 4G subscription required at $39.99
Conclusion
The ANTHBOT M9 is a solid entry point into the RTK robotic mower class for small yards with clear line of sight to the antenna. For larger areas or weak RTK signal conditions, it shows navigation weaknesses.
