Segway doesn’t just offer its city cruisers of the same name. The company’s repertoire now also includes robotic mowers. In the Segway Navimow i105E test, we took a closer look at the manufacturer’s latest model. This model scores points above all by dispensing with the annoying laying of boundary wires. Instead, a camera and EFLS 2.0 provide orientation and obstacle detection in your garden. Sounds pretty good in theory. But what does it look like in practice?
There are two models to choose from
Segway is not new to the field of robotic mowers. The manufacturer already has smart garden helpers on offer with its H model. But in 2024, the brand new I-series is set to ensure a flawless lawn cut. Unlike the H series, which is already available, this one does without a boundary wire. The robot is available in two versions. The version we tested is called the Navimow i105E and is suitable for gardens with a total area of up to 500 m².
If you have a larger property, you can opt for the alternative in the form of the Navimow i108E. This can handle lawns of up to 800 m². To enable the i108E to cope with larger lawns, the manufacturer has given it a larger battery. This gives the robot mower more endurance. Apart from this, however, the two models have the same technology. This means that our test results should also be representative for the i108E.
Technical data
| The name | Segway Navimow i105E |
| Navigation system | EFLS 2.0 |
| Object recognition | Yes, with the help of camera unit |
| Lawn area | max. 500 m² |
| Cutting height | between 20 and 60 mm |
| Protection against dirt and water | IP66 certification |
| Illumination | Yes |
| Weight | 10.9 kg |
| Price | RRP: 999.99 euros (€ 999.00 * at Amazon) |
Scope of delivery
- Navimow i105E
- Charging station
- Power supply unit
- Ground screws
- Antenna
- Extension cable
- Spare blades
- Operating instructions
Segway Navimow i105E Test: Design and workmanship
While the Navimow i108E comes in a dark housing, the manufacturer has opted for a light gray for the version for smaller gardens. The wheels with a diameter of 24.5 cm are a real eye-catcher with their bright orange tires. Otherwise, however, the device is rather inconspicuous, which is definitely an advantage for a robotic mower.
The design is fairly self-explanatory. There is a display on the top, which you can use to make settings. An emergency stop button is also located here in bright red. Next to the display, you can use a rotary control to set the length to which the robot should cut your lawn.
What bothers me a little about the top is the choice of material. The plastic with a high-gloss finish could be prone to scratches over time. This can certainly happen with outdoor devices. In my opinion, the manufacturer could have continued the usual matte gray look here to prevent scratches.
The two small front wheels, which are responsible for steering the robotic lawnmower, can be seen on the underside. The blades are also located here. A total of three rotate on the underside of the i105E. Their design reminds me strongly of that of the Ecovacs Goat G1 (test), which also manages without a perimeter wire.
With a weight of 10.9 kg, the robot lawn mower is pleasingly light. It didn’t really bother me that there is no carrying handle. The housing is so easy to grip that the device can be easily lifted from A to B anyway. The housing also scores highly in terms of durability. It is protected against dirt and water to IP66.
Segway Navimow i105E test: Technical features
The Navimow i105E does not require a perimeter wire. Instead, navigation using EFLS 2.0 is used. Here, the robot moves through your garden using GPS data. An antenna is used for this, which the manufacturer includes in the scope of delivery. We will explain exactly how the setup works later.
So that obstacles are also recognized and the visit from the hedgehog does not end in a bloodbath, there is of course object recognition. A VisionFence camera is used here, which offers a considerable field of view of 140°. As with navigation via EFLS 2.0, AI support is also used for obstacle detection.
We continue on the top side. As already mentioned, the display and a rotary control for the cutting length are located here. The display allows you to make basic settings on the robot itself. For advanced settings, however, you should definitely use the Navimow app. When setting the cutting length, anything between 20 and 60 mm is possible.
Segway Navimow provided us with additional accessories for the test. The Navimow Access Module, which costs just under 100 euros, is suitable for gardens that do not offer good WiFi coverage. It transmits via 4G if the connection to the home network is lost. It also provides you with theft protection.
Segway Navimow i105E test: Getting started
Even if you don’t have to lay a boundary wire here, you should take a little time to install the robotic lawnmower. In particular, the right choice of location should be carefully considered. Segway Navimow explains very well what you should pay attention to in its enclosed operating instructions.
Found a suitable spot? Then you’re ready to go. First of all, secure the station to the ground using the ground screws provided. Then you need to connect it to the power cable and the RTK antenna cable. If the distance to the power socket or RTK antenna is too great, you can simply use one of the extension cables.
Now take out your smartphone and download the Navimow app. Simply follow the very well explained step-by-step instructions. At the end, you will have added the robotic lawnmower as a new device in your app. Now the real fun begins: you have to steer the robot through your garden like a remote-controlled car.
Segway Navimow i105E test: Virtual boundaries instead of boundary wire
Like an Ecovacs Goat G1 or a RoboUP T1000 (test), the Navimow does without boundary wires. Instead, you create virtual boundaries that the robot mower should not cross. The big advantage of this is that it is much quicker and easier to set up.
To create the boundaries of the Segway robotic lawnmower, you have to let it drive through your garden using your smartphone. This is similar to driving a remote-controlled car. Take your time for this step and calmly drive along the boundaries that you don’t want the robot to cross.
If you make a mistake, this is not a problem. You don’t have to start the whole journey all over again. Instead, you can reset incorrect sections. Here, the robot travels backwards again and you can revise the boundary once more. At the end there is a virtual map of the lawn area to be covered.
Once the map is ready, it’s time for the robot mower’s maiden voyage. But before you get ahead of yourself, you should take another look at the app. There are various setting options here. The creation of a mowing schedule is particularly practical. This allows you to specify in advance when the Navimow should set off on its mowing tour.
Segway Navimow i105E test: Practical test
Time for a detailed test of the Navimow. In our practical test, we first took a look at the mowing results of the smart garden helper. We then take a closer look at the obstacle detection.
Mowing results
Robotic lawn mowers without a boundary wire not only score points with their uncomplicated setup. What’s more, they don’t mow the lawn according to the imprecise and time-consuming chaos principle. Instead, as the garden helper can access a virtual map, it knows which areas it has already covered. You can easily track the whole process in the app.
When you watch the Navimow i105E driving, it quickly becomes clear that it knows exactly what it is doing. It systematically draws lines across the lawns in your garden. What I particularly like in direct comparison with the Goat G1 is that it adheres to the previously defined limits. These were only minimally undershot or exceeded in the test.
There is nothing to complain about when it comes to mowing results in open fields. You get an extremely uniform cutting pattern here. What bothers me a little around the edges is the edge that the Navimow leaves behind. This is because the blade unit is positioned in the middle of the underside. Placing it at the side would have reduced the problem.
This problem is not unusual for robotic lawnmowers. However, anyone who wants to celebrate their premiere with the Navimow should keep this in mind. This can be remedied by using wide, drivable lawn edges and adjusting the map in the app accordingly. If necessary, you will also have to be prepared for manual reworking.
Object recognition
When detecting obstacles, the robotic lawnmower relies on its camera system at the front. This offers a very good field of vision of 140°. The manufacturer emphasizes the AI support. The camera should be able to recognize many different obstacles. But does it also protect the robot from collisions?
The good news to start with: I didn’t experience any collisions with garden chairs, footballs or other obstacles during the test. As soon as an obstacle is detected, the robotic lawnmower first stops. It then moves in a different direction.
To ensure that no area remains unmown, the Navimow visits the previously avoided area again. All in all, the obstacle detection worked very well. I only had one slip-up in the test. The robotic lawnmower touched a flower pot, which left a nasty scratch. However, this is bearable and should not be too negative.
Conclusion
In the test, the Navimow i105E proved to be a really good robot mower. It not only scores points for its high quality of workmanship, low weight and stylish design. It also makes full use of the advantages of GPS-supported orientation. This starts with the set-up, which is much quicker than models with annoying boundary wires.
The Navimow also finishes mowing the garden much faster thanks to the scheduled mowing. I was also impressed by the app. It is very clear and has lots of explanations. I only really noticed any weaknesses when mowing the edges of the lawn. But this is a typical problem with robotic mowers. If you are currently looking for a robot mower, the Navimow i105E is definitely worth considering at an RRP of 999 euros (€ 999.00 * on Amazon).
Segway Navimow i105E
Design and workmanship
Ease of use
Performance
Value for money
92/100
The Segway Navimow i105E scores points with its uncomplicated setup and great mowing performance.
