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 maker’s listNo retailer listing

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 AutonomyHandles new obstacles and re-plans in real time; rare in consumer products.
To reach Level IVSustained operation across sessions, including layouts and conditions it has not met before.
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 the mower falls back to inertial navigation and odometry when the satellite signal weakens, so shade does not end a run.
- It follows systematic cutting paths within a boundary defined once at setup.
- The US KR172 is listed without OAS, so obstacle handling comes from that boundary rather than from object recognition, and loose items have to be cleared first.
- Level IV: dependable within a mapped property inside the network footprint; no generalization to non-RTK environments.
Autonomy dimension 81 / 100 · 4 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.

Provisional4 sources reviewed

Enough has been reviewed to classify, but gaps remain across source types.

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.

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.

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.

Where this sits on the readiness scale

Ready NowThis robotProven autonomous performance, reliable, and available for purchase.
Promising ProgressReal advancement, but the ownership experience is still maturing.
OverhypedMarketing is outpacing actual capability.
WaitTechnology exists but better options are coming soon.
Falls ShortFails core autonomy or reliability standards.

How we assess readiness →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

79of 100

StrongAt or above 94% of the 355 robots we scoreand 97% of the 79 scored robot lawn mowers

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

Measured on 8 of the 9 inputs10% not counted

Our assessment did not establish an independent source for edge-case recovery on this machine, so that input is 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 it reaches 30% of the rubric we publish no number at all.

What moved itpoints gained or lost against a typical robot

Carried by

Consumables100+2.5
Software stability82+2.4
Routine maintenance87+2.3

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 score72Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure rate16% of the score70

Evidence

Shipping since mid-2023, so the 12 month cap does not apply, with no recall and no systemic defect reported. The record carries no failure modes section at all and lists press reviews and owner reports as source types with no links behind either, so there is no inspectable outcome evidence to support a mature clean record. Scored at the middle rather than higher because a clean bill and a missing file read the same on paper and only one of them is earned.

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

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

Where it lands · ranked across 91 robot lawn mowersThis robotMedianTypical range

Runtime180min

30 min240 min

Above median

Price$2,499.99

$451$5,999

Near median

Noise59dB

50 dB82 dB

Near median

Charge time120min

30 min300 min

Near median

Weight26.5lbs

11.9 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 · 3 documented · 1 self-recover

Common

Blade dulling in dense grassReduced cut quality, uneven turf appearance.

Owner fixReplace blade (6-12 month interval, $60-$120 per set).

Occasional

RTK signal dropoutMower stops until connectivity restored.

Self-recoversMove to area with better satellite line-of-sight; check network subscription status.

Occasional

Charging station dirt accumulationIntermittent charging or connection loss.

Owner fixClean contacts and dock area monthly; verify proper alignment.

Step-by-step fixesCutting Uneven or Scalping the Lawn?Says No Loop Signal or Lost Satellite?Wet Grass or RainAll robot mower guides

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.

As neededno fixed schedule

Seasonal blade replacement and charging station thorough cleaning. · 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

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

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.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark is served from this record rather than saved as a file, so it always shows the level we currently hold. If we reassess, it updates on your page by itself.

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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/

Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn and Goko M6 side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with Worx Landroid Vision L1600, eufy Robot Lawn Mower E15, Ecovacs Goat GX-600.

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.

Other robot lawn mowers we have classified.

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Kärcher RCX 4

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Goko M6

Reference the Kress KR172 Mission RTKn classification.

Three ways to keep going.

Get the next reassessment.

Compare with a peer.

See every Level III.