US Lawn & Garden Robots

US Lawn & Garden Robots

US sales of lawn and garden robots are forecast to grow at an average rate of 24% per year to roughly 170,000 units in 2027 – valued at $207 million – due to:

• increased adoption in the commercial sector to mitigate labor shortages
• continued innovations that address common challenges in the US market
• a return to the “Do It for Me” (DIFM) lawn service trend following elevated levels of DIY activity during the initial years of the pandemic

Labor Shortages & High-Value Features Spur Rapid Adoption in Commercial Market

The consumer segment will remain the larger market for lawn and garden robots through 2027 as the technology continues to gain popularity among homeowners. However, the commercial market will become increasingly prominent and become the leading market for lawn care robots by 2032. This shift will result from a number of factors:

• Recent innovations, including the use of AI technology, advanced vision systems, and wireless boundaries make lawn and garden robots increasingly attractive to commercial landscapers looking to alleviate labor shortages.
• Although there are more units sold in the consumer segment than in the commercial market, professional users are more likely to purchase high-end, advanced models that carry a high price tag.

Return to “Do It for Me” Services to Boost Sales in All Sectors

The COVID-19 pandemic initially curbed consumer interest in hiring professional lawn care due to a combination of stay-at-home orders, telecommuting, and concerns over viral transmission, which created more free time to spend on maintaining their outdoor spaces. With the pandemic waning and conditions normalizing, many consumers with the disposable income to do so are transitioning away from DIY lawn maintenance.

Sales of lawn and garden robots in the consumer sector will be supported by those without the time or desire to maintain their own lawns but who do not want to employ a landscaper, especially consumers who have smaller lawns that can be easily maintained by a lawn mower robot. While the high price point of robot lawn mowers in general will limit sales in unit terms to those with enough disposable income to buy them, these products offer long-term cost savings over landscaping services and some traditional gas-powered models, even though the initial cost of the robotic mower may be higher:

• Charging a robotic mower costs less per year than paying for services or fuel.
• Maintenance costs are lower than gas- or electric-powered units, as robotic mowers require less care than traditional models.

Buyers who fall into this category will also likely prefer the convenience of high-end wireless models because of their advanced features, such as improved batteries, better mowing patterns, and computer visions systems, thus increasing sales in value terms.

The return to DIFM has created an increased demand for professional landscapers. This increasing use of landscaping services, especially amid the current labor shortage, will boost unit sales in the commercial sector, as landscaping businesses and turf management companies turn to robotic equipment to meet the needs of their customers.

Study Description

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $63 million US lawn and garden robot industry. It presents historical sales data (2012 through 2022), forecasts (2027 and 2032) in value and unit terms by product (robotic lawn mowers and other lawn and garden robots, which include those used for snow blowing, weeding, and other gardening tasks) and market (consumer and commercial). Annual data and forecasts for 2019 to 2026 are also included. The study provides consumer survey data. The study also analyzes both industry competitors with commercialized products and up and coming companies, including FarmBot, Franklin Robotics, Honda Motor, Husqvarna, iRobot, Toro, LG Electronics, MTD Products, Positec Technology, STIHL, The Kobi Company, and Zucchetti Centro Sistemi."