MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD: All-wheel drive for the garden

Robotic mowers are now a dime a dozen. However, if you have a hilly garden, the search for the right device is sometimes not so easy. After all, many models are not so well positioned in terms of off-road capability. The MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD makes it clear at first glance that it is up to the challenge. With all-wheel drive, it should be able to mow gardens with a lawn area of up to 1000 m², even if there is a slope or two. LiDAR navigation and camera-based obstacle detection should not only ensure orientation and safety, but also eliminate the need for a boundary wire and annoying RTK antenna. Read our test report to find out how well the all-wheel drive robot mower performs in practice.

Technical data of the MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD

Model	MOVA LIDAX UItra AWD
Dimensions	740 mm x 532 x 321 mm
weight	23.6 kg
Mowing width	40 cm
Mowing height	30 mm to 100 mm
Off-road capability	Slopes up to 80%
Navigation	360° LiDAR navigation
Obstacle detection	UltraView 3.0 (2x cameras + AI)
Working area	max. 1000 m²
price	Price not available *

Scope of delivery of the MOVA LIDAX Ultra AWD

• MOVA LIDAX Ultra AWD robotic lawnmower
• charging station
• Ground pegs + Allen key
• Power supply unit
• Spare blade and spare screws
• Screwdriver
• Cleaning brush
• Quick start guide
• Operating instructions

Design and workmanship of the MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD

Even at first glance, it is clear that the MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD is not intended to be an inconspicuous garden helper, but is deliberately positioned as a high-end device. The design is functional, dispenses with playful elements and instead focuses on a robust, almost industrial look. However, it still looks very stylish and uses the same high-quality plastic material as the MOVA 600 (Review | € 941.19 *).

An attractive matt gray is used for the housing. The technical features also appear identical at first glance. The LIDAX Ultra also has a LiDAR unit that protrudes from the top in a hemispherical shape. The control unit and display are also located at the top. Both are protected by a practical flap that is very easy to open. The attractive color display not only scores points with its clear software, but is also easy to read even in direct sunlight.

The camera unit for obstacle detection is located at the front. But that’s all the similarities. There are huge differences in the design alone. With its dimensions of 740 x 532 x 321 mm, the LIDAX is not only significantly larger than its little brother. It also weighs more than twice as much at a whopping 23.6 kg.

This is hardly surprising given the wide design. There are several reasons why the LIDAX Ultra is larger and heavier. Firstly, it doesn’t just have steering wheels at the front. Instead, two independently driven wheels are used here – all-wheel drive. In combination with the modified steering concept, which relies on laterally rotating rollers on each wheel, MOVA promises strong grip. According to MOVA, gradients of up to 80% should be possible.

The almost monstrous impression continues when we look at the underside. Here we see two mowing discs with six blades each. This promises an impressive mowing width of 40 cm and, thanks to a total of twelve blades, an even mowing performance. We’ll find out later whether the plan works. The mowing discs are both floating and the mowing height can be adjusted between 30 and 100 mm.

A look at the underside also shows that the MOVA also aims to deliver good performance in the peripheral areas. The mowing discs can be quickly extended, similar to a Dreame A2 (€ 1,599.00 *), if blades need to be trimmed along edges. This UltraTrim 2.0 system is designed to ensure that less than 3 cm remains.

The casing has a high-quality finish throughout. Gap dimensions are clean, nothing creaks or seems to give way. This is particularly important for outdoor use, where a robotic lawnmower must be able to withstand moisture, UV radiation and mechanical stress. IPX6 certification confirms protection against moisture and dirt.

The choice of materials conveys confidence in its durability, which is to be expected in this price range. The large, grippy wheels in combination with the independent wheel suspension are particularly impressive. It is clear that the focus is not only on well-kept standard lawns, but also on more complex, uneven terrain.

Setting up and commissioning the MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD

Setting up the LIDAX Ultra is child’s play. This is not least due to the well-explained quick-start guide, which makes it easy even for beginners. Once you have removed the accessories from the large packaging, you first need to find a suitable place for the charging station. A nearby power socket is absolutely essential. Once you have found a suitable place, the station is fixed to the ground using the enclosed pegs and supplied with power via the mains cable. Now insert the Robo and you’re ready to go.

Once you have switched this on and followed the instructions on the display, you can take out your smartphone. You can now simply add the LIDAX Ultra as a new device via the MOVA app. The app guides you through a clear step-by-step guide, which ends with the mapping of the robotic lawnmower. Thanks to LiDAR and the AI camera, you don’t have to lay any annoying cables or set up an RTK antenna. Instead, the mapping is simply done via the smartphone.

You can either steer the Robo through the garden like a remote-controlled car or have it automatically follow the edge of the area to be mowed. You can switch between the two methods during the mapping process, which proves to be helpful in practice. Finally, it is a good idea to switch to manual mapping for complex areas. In my test, automatic mapping worked quite well.

However, the Robo left a little too much space around the edges for my taste. You have to help manually here. Additional mowing zones can be added at the end of the mapping run. A whopping 150 zones are possible in total. You can also customize the map again. For example, virtual borders or exclusion zones can be created. In practice, it turns out that the setup is not only quick and easy.

MOVA app

As already mentioned, the MOVA has a control unit and display on the device itself. This can be used to make many essential settings. However, the actual control center for monitoring and settings is the MOVA app. The map management is at the heart of it: not only can mowing areas be defined here, but they can also be configured in detail. Users can prioritize zones, set schedules and even define different mowing strategies for different areas.

But that’s not all. The app also integrates many other functions. Of course, the mowing height setting is important. Here you can choose between 30 and 100 mm. You can also set mowing patterns in the app. This is certainly exciting for real lawn enthusiasts. In addition to the many different setting options, the app also integrates functions that are otherwise more familiar from the smart home sector.

This includes things like GPS tracking, theft protection, real-time status monitoring and firmware updates over the air. Diagnostic functions are also available, which is helpful in the event of any problems. Other practical features include the remote control, which allows you to steer the robot manually across the lawn instead of automatically. The MOVA can also be sent on patrol in your garden as a mobile surveillance camera. So you can keep an eye on everything even when you’re on vacation.

Navigation and obstacle detection

This is where the LIDAX Ultra shows its greatest technical strengths. The navigation system is based on a combination of 3D LiDAR and AI-supported camera recognition – an approach that has already done a good job with the MOVA 600. The LiDAR system continuously scans the surroundings and creates a three-dimensional model of the garden structure. This allows the robot to orient itself independently of GPS, which is a decisive advantage, especially in gardens with dense planting, high hedges or buildings. This is complemented by an AI camera that classifies objects.

According to the manufacturer, the system can recognize over 300 different types of obstacles – from classic garden objects to smaller objects. In practice, this means that the robot doesn’t just react to “anything in the way”, but actively distinguishes between objects and adapts its behavior accordingly. This worked extremely well in the test. You can see the different types of obstacles marked on the map in the app.

However, I am not entirely convinced of the quality of the obstacle detection. After all, it worked a little erratically. The MOVA reliably avoided my garden shoes, but when it came to my plastic hedgehog family, it was more a matter of chance whether the robot avoided them or simply drove over them. It is therefore better to exercise caution with smaller objects.

On the other hand, I really liked the driving strategy. The robot first drives around the inside area in parallel tracks and then drives around the edge again. Finally, it always returned reliably to its charging station. This ensures even coverage and reduces unnecessary passes. Especially in combination with the all-wheel drive, this results in very confident movement behavior. It coped well with inclines, uneven surfaces and difficult passages.

Mowing performance of the MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD

The LIDAX Ultra also sets clear accents in terms of mowing performance and differs technically from many of its competitors. Instead of a single mower disc, two separate mowers are used here. These are each equipped with six blades and work in parallel, which enables a significantly larger cutting width than the competition. With a cutting width of around 40 cm, the device is clearly above the average for typical robotic lawn mowers.

This is of course directly reflected in the area output. Large lawns can be mowed faster and more efficiently, which in turn reduces the overall operating time. The floating design of the cutting discs is another technical detail that becomes relevant in practice. They adapt to any unevenness in the ground and thus ensure a more even cutting pattern.

This is also an advantage over standard models, which are equipped with rigid cutting discs and therefore achieve unclean results on uneven ground. The mower is also powerful in thicker or taller grass. The motors keep the speed stable so that the cutting performance does not immediately drop when the grass gets thicker or weeds get in the way. The MOVA LIDAX Ultra is therefore also suitable for more difficult conditions.

This is supported by the systematic driving strategy, which minimizes overlaps and delivers a consistent result. The influence of the all-wheel drive on the mowing performance should also not be underestimated. Traction is maintained, especially on slopes or damp ground, allowing the robot to continue its work reliably where other models would slip. The MOVA is also largely convincing on the edges.

The UltraTrim 2.0 system gets so close to lawn edges and other edges that only an area of less than 3 cm should remain untreated. In practice, the edge was larger in my case, but it was still within a very good range. The bottom line is that the LIDAX Ultra delivers a mowing performance that is clearly designed for efficiency, area coverage and off-road capability. The system consistently demonstrates its technical advantages, especially in larger or more demanding gardens.

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Conclusion

The MOVA LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD clearly positions itself as a high-end robotic mower for demanding gardens – and largely lives up to this claim in the test. The all-wheel drive in particular clearly sets it apart from many competitor models and, in combination with the sophisticated navigation, ensures strong performance on uneven or hilly terrain. The LiDAR and camera-based orientation works reliably and eliminates the need for a boundary wire or RTK antenna, which noticeably simplifies set-up. The device also impresses in terms of mowing performance with its large cutting width and clean cutting pattern.

The high-quality workmanship and the comprehensive app further underline the premium claim. I only noticed minor weaknesses in the fluctuating reliability of the obstacle detection and the sometimes inadequate mowing performance at the edges. All in all, the LIDAX Ultra 1000 AWD is a powerful, technically advanced solution for larger and demanding lawns. Anyone who values off-road capability, modern navigation and high efficiency will find a convincing overall package here. However, if you have a flat garden, you can also opt for a less expensive machine with a clear conscience.