RELEASED 2024REASSESSED 2026.08.07

Kress

Kress KR172 Mission RTKn

Name: Kress KR172 Mission RTKn
Brand: Kress

RTK without base station hardware. The proprietary antenna network removes installation friction; autonomy comes at subscription cost and satellite signal dependence.

Price$2,499.99 list priceRetail price not tracked

Autonomy Ladder

Why Level III.

One five-rung scale, every category, from acting only on command to working unsupervised anywhere.

VGeneralized AutonomyAny task, any setting. No consumer robot has reached it.
IVEnvironmental AutonomyCopes with everyday clutter and frees itself, shown by independent testing.
To reach Level IVIndependent testing shows it avoids ordinary obstacles before contact, copes without the space being cleared, and frees itself when stuck.
IIIConditional AutonomyThis robot

Kress KR172 Mission RTKn finishes whole jobs in a space it already knows, and still needs a person at the edges.

Navigation and control

RTKn satellite positioning with inertial navigation and odometry fallback under weak signal. The US KR172 is listed without the OAS obstacle avoidance system.
Why this level
- RTKn positioning holds centimeter-level accuracy inside Kress's network coverage, and inertial navigation and odometry carry the run when the signal weakens under shade.
- The US KR172 is listed without the OAS obstacle avoidance system, so obstacles are handled by contact and loose items have to be cleared first, which rules out Level IV.
Autonomy dimension 81 / 100 · 3 sources reviewed
IIAssisted AutonomyRuns preset routines; stalls at anything new.
IManual AutomationOne action on command; no independent operation.

How we assign a level →

Behind the classification

Sources we reviewed.

Pending3 sources reviewed

Evidence is still being collected for this product.

Sources reviewed

Longitudinal signal2 sourcesReviewed

Robovations dated log for this robot: 3 tracked entries spanning ~30 months.

Specification sources2 sourcesReviewed

Pages the published specifications were read from.

Monitoring record1 sourceReviewed

Sources behind the tracker entries following this robot.

Kress Press ReleaseKress Press Release

Also monitored, nothing listed yet

Manufacturer documentationReviewed

RTK network system documentation, specifications, subscription terms, regional availability

Press & video reviewsReviewed

Launch and field coverage from professional turf and autonomous-equipment outlets

Owner reportsOngoing

Early adopter reports from RTK network beta and commercial deployments in Europe

How we evaluate evidence →

Human Readiness

Ready Now.

One question: what does buying this robot today walk you into? The state is computed from the record, and recomputed daily.

Ready NowThis robot

Kress KR172 Mission RTKn is on sale, assessed, and nothing on its record argues for waiting.
How this was derived
- Shipping past the first-90-day ownership window with a published assessment, no documented issues on record, and no announced successor.
Notes on the record
- Shipping commercially since mid-2023 with documented RTKn availability in Europe and select US markets.
- Kress recommends the KR172 for 0.5 acre and rates a 0.7 acre maximum.
- Setup involves account creation and an app-guided boundary walk, with no perimeter wire, antenna or base station installed on the property.
- Ongoing owner tasks are seasonal blade replacement and winter storage.
On the record
- Shipping since January 2024 · 32 months on the market
- No current new-stock listing confirmed
- No successor announced
- 3 sources reviewed
What would move it
A documented problem, an announced successor, or a withdrawn listing moves it out; the rating recomputes daily.
New to MarketOn sale under 90 days; the ownership record is still forming.
WaitA successor is announced and has not shipped; re-read the decision when it arrives.
Known IssuesDocumented problems stand on the record; read the case before buying.

How we assess readiness →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

79of 100

StrongAt or above 95% of the 436 robots we scoreand 98% of the 109 scored robot lawn mowers

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

Measured on 7 of the 9 inputs26% not counted

Our assessment did not establish an independent source for edge-case recovery, field failure rate on this machine, so those inputs are left out of the score rather than guessed at, and the rest re-weighted to fill the space. A gap in what we have been able to verify is not evidence against the robot. Where a whole pillar has nothing measured, we publish no number at all.

What moved itpoints gained or lost against a typical robot

Carried by

Consumables100+2.5
Routine maintenance87+2.4
Software stability82+2.4

Capability40% of the score78What it does without you.

Task completion16% of the score75

Evidence

Mowing Magic's tested review of the Kress RTKn line (the KR172's platform; the page covers the line rather than naming the SKU) reports it "mows in straight parallel lines" and "remembers exactly the line it left off on and continues back on that same line", with floating cutting heads giving "a near-perfect cut regardless of the terrain or undulations". Held at 75 because the owner cannot close the loop alone when the yard changes: "for anything major, the installer will need to come out again" with a mapping cart.

Coverage and navigation10% of the score82

Evidence

Systematic paths inside a boundary walked once at setup and retained across the season, and the dead-reckoning fallback matters here for a reason that is not precision: when the correction signal weakens under shade the machine holds its routing on inertial navigation and odometry rather than abandoning the lane, so coverage survives conditions that halt other satellite mowers. Held below the systematic-and-retained anchor because a changed yard means walking the boundary again and no independent account of the in-boundary pattern exists on this record.

Edge-case recoverynot countedno source verified74

Evidence

It genuinely self-recovers from one of the two documented failure modes of the category: signal loss is bridged by inertial navigation and odometry and the schedule continues, which is the anchor's self-recovery clause rather than a halt. The other mode is unaddressed. With no OAS on the US variant, obstacle handling is contact-only, boggy ground and thick grass end in retrieval, and the only escalation path the record names for persistent positioning trouble is contacting Kress support.

Operating envelope4% of the score80

Evidence

Forty percent slope, up to 0.7 acre, and shade handled by dead reckoning instead of being a disqualifier, which is a broader envelope than EPOS or satellite guidance can claim on the canopy axis. Against it sits a constraint none of them have: the property must sit inside Kress's own RTKn correction footprint, and the record names a property with no network coverage as the case that rules the machine out entirely. Soft, boggy ground and dense annual grasses cost traction independent of positioning.

Dependability40% of the score74Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure ratenot countedno source verified70

Evidence

Shipping since mid-2023, with no recall and no systemic defect reported. The record carries no failure modes section and lists press reviews and owner reports as source types with no links behind either, so there is no inspectable outcome evidence. No independent source reports on failures for this machine, so the input is left out of the score.

Software stability14% of the score82

Evidence

The machine carries a 4G modem and an app, so updates certainly ship, and no owner reports a regression pattern. Placed just below the ordinary-case anchor because this record carries no firmware or release-notes source of any kind, where other mower brands at least cite a support portal that publishes what-is-new notes. Absence of a changelog is not stability.

Support longevity10% of the score63

Evidence

A Positec brand with a published US MSRP, a dealer channel and blades sold in multipacks, which are commitments vendor material establishes, and no support term published in years. The specific risk that holds this down is structural rather than about parts: the correction signal comes from Kress's own network, so unlike a base station the owner possesses, the machine's core positioning ends if Kress stops operating that network or drops the region from its footprint.

Ownership burden20% of the score92What it asks of you.

Routine maintenance12% of the score87

Evidence

A light published schedule: monthly dock contact cleaning, blade inspection every three to six months, blade replacement every six to twelve, seasonal winterization and a spring app check. No boundary wire ever, so none of the weekly continuity chores the wired Automowers carry. The unlisted item is the pre-run lawn clearing the missing OAS forces, which I weighted lightly here since it is already scored in task completion.

Consumables8% of the score100

Evidence

Blades on a six to twelve month interval against four to eight weeks on the wired Automowers, sold in multipacks and replaced rather than sharpened, which is roughly $40 to $60 a year on a $2,500 machine. No wire, pegs or splice connectors. Kress's US materials disclose no separate fee for network access despite the correction signal coming from Kress infrastructure, which is an inexpensive positioning arrangement if it holds.

middle half of the databaseits medianthis robot

Reported, not scoredneither measures how well the robot works

Five-year cost$3,000

Middle of the range for wire-free robot mowers, with a low running cost. $2,499.99 at published US MSRP, roughly $250 of blades across five years on a six to twelve month interval, and one replacement battery pack. No boundary wire, no reference station and no antenna to buy, because the correction signal arrives over the machine's own 4G modem from Kress's network. The assumption a reader should see: this record contradicts itself on whether that network carries a fee, with the FAQ stating Kress's US materials disclose no separate charge while two other passages describe a subscription. The figure above assumes no fee, on the more specific statement; a subscription at typical category rates would add several hundred dollars across five years.

Data postureCloud-dependent

Core function stops without the vendor cloud.

What leaves the homeNot documented

Read the full methodology →

FIT CHECK

Will the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn work on your yard?

Describe your yard using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Yard size

Terrain

Grass type

Boundary setup

See every robot mower suited to these conditions

A classification of fit for the conditions you set, not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced above the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

Dimensional drawing

Key specificationsManufacturer-published

Footprint: 27.6 × 20.9 in · 14.2 in tall
Weight: 26.5 lbs•
Battery: 80 Wh · Li-ion
Wi-Fi: Supported
Cutting width: 7.9 in•
Cutting height range: 1.6-3.5 in•
Max area: 30,500 sq ft✓
Max slope: 40%•
Blade system: 3 blades•
Boundary method: Satellite-guided RTK, no perimeter wire✓

Where it lands · ranked across 128 robot lawn mowersThis robotMedianTypical range

Runtime180min

30 min240 min

Above median

Price$2,499.99

$549$5,999

Near median

Noise59dB

50 dB82 dB

Near median

Charge time120min

30 min300 min

Near median

Weight26.5lbs

13 lbs134 lbs

Near median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category, not a quality judgment.

Official referencesProduct page

OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Antenna network stability is the bottleneck; mower hardware and blade mechanics perform predictably in documented conditions.

RTK positioning reliability documented across 2+ years of European deployments; network availability and signal strength remain the limiting factor. No major firmware regression reported; blade wear accelerates in dense turf. Seasonal storage required in temperate climates.

Owner effort~45 minhands-on per month

Consumables$180replaceable parts / yr

Reliability trend Stableowner-reported arc

What goes wrong · not yet documented independently

The independent record is still forming. Failure modes are listed once an outside source reports them.

Upkeep routine

Monthly12×/yr

Charging station contact cleaning and dock inspection.

Seasonal4×/yr

Blade inspection; replace rather than sharpen, since grinding removes the coating and weakens a blade that runs unattended. Replacements are sold in multipacks. · Winterization (cover or indoor storage in cold climates); spring restart and app connection check.

Yearly1×/yr

Seasonal blade replacement and charging station thorough cleaning.

As neededno fixed schedule

Contact Kress support if RTKn signal issues persist.

Cost over time · past the sticker

PurchaseRunning cost

Year 1

$2,679

Year 3

$3,039

Year 5

$3,399

$2,499 to buy, then about $180 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $540 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace

BladesEvery 6-12 months

Replacement cadence from the maintenance schedule; prices shown where the source documents them.

Safety notes

CautionHigh-speed blade hazard: Rotating blade up to 3,600 RPM. Keep pets, children, and hands clear during operation.

NoteNetwork-dependent operation: Mower cannot mow if RTK network is unavailable or account subscription lapses.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon

Just launched

Active updates

Settled

Discontinued

Sep 2026 · AssessmentRecord status: Provisional → Pending
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRecord status: Verified → Provisional
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 78 → 79
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.2: 76 → 78
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.0: 75 → 76
Aug 2026 · AssessmentAutonomy Ladder reclassified IV → III
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 68 → 75
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 68 of 100
Jan 2026 · UpdateKress KR172 RTKn slope limit clarified in updated product documentation
Oct 2024 · NewsKress RTKn network expanded to US dealer markets for KR172
Aug 2023 · ReleaseLaunches commercially in Europe

Common questions

What people actually ask.

5 answered

OperationDo I need to bury a perimeter wire for the Kress KR172?

No. RTKn uses satellite positioning instead of boundary markers. You define the mowing area through the app; the mower respects virtual boundaries without physical installation.

OperationWhat if my property loses RTK signal temporarily?

The mower switches to inertial navigation and odometry and keeps working until a clear satellite connection is available again. Kress lists this dead reckoning as the mechanism for mowing under shade, so a canopy that interrupts the signal does not end the run. Sustained absence of network coverage, rather than a passing gap, is what stops autonomous operation.

CompatibilityDoes the KR172 need a base station, an antenna or a network subscription?

No. Kress delivers the RTKn correction signal over its own network, which is why the machine ships without a customer-side antenna, beacon or base station, and Kress’s US materials disclose no separate fee for network access. The published US MSRP is $2,499.99. The mower carries a 4G modem for that connection and an anti-theft system with GPS tracking.

OperationCan the KR172 handle slopes and thick Bermuda grass?

Kress rates the machine to a 40 percent maximum slope. Thick grass and wet conditions reduce traction; standard turf fares better than dense annual grasses.

OwnershipWhat parts need seasonal maintenance on the KR172?

Blade replacement (6-12 months depending on use), charging station cleaning (monthly), and winterization in cold climates (perennial storage indoors or under cover).

Cite / Embed

Reference the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn classification.

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Citation

Robovations. "Kress KR172 Mission RTKn: Autonomy Level III (Conditional Autonomy)." Autonomy Ladder™, assessed August 2026. https://robovations.com/robots/kress-kr172-mission-rtkn/

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A classification, not an endorsement. It may not appear beside language implying Robovations recommends, rates, or approves the product.

Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn and Husqvarna Automower 410 iQ side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with Worx Landroid Vision Cloud WR340, Ecovacs GOAT A2000 LiDAR PRO, Roborock RockMow X120H LiDAR.

For browsers

See every Level III.

Every robot we’ve classified at conditional autonomy. Sorted by readiness, score, and price. Filter by category, manufacturer, or release date.

Browse the database

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.

Kress KR172 Mission RTKn

Will the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn work on your yard?

The full spec sheet.

Living with it.

How the assessment has moved.

What people actually ask.

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Reference the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn classification.

Three ways to keep going.

Get the next reassessment.

Compare with a peer.

See every Level III.