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Specialty Robots

Tertill Garden Weeding Robot

Franklin Robotics · MSRP $349 · Launched Jan 2019

A passive weeder that trades for hands-off operation: it works continuously but only on established lawns and tended beds without competing plants. Owner reports confirm reliable weed-cutting for unmowed areas.

Level II
Assisted Autonomy
2 sources reviewed ·
Ready Now
Ready to own today
Reassessed
Jun 11
View history
Robovations Score
Capable · 69 of 100
Rescored 2026-06-11
Autonomy62 / 100

30% weight

Reliability67 / 100

25% weight

Maintenance76 / 100

15% weight

Value58 / 100

15% weight

Privacy92 / 100

15% weight

Framework

How we score →

Weighted average of 5 reads, 0–100. Scored from documented evidence — we do not lab-test.

Will the Tertill Garden Weeding Robot fit your application?

Pick what matches your setup. The fit updates as you go.

Garden bed size
Weed pressure
What you plant
Upkeep style
How Tertill Garden Weeding Robot holds up
Garden bed size
Weed pressure
What you plant
Upkeep style
Specifications

The full spec sheet.

Manufacturer-published values.

Priced below the category median, with weight among the lightest in the class.

Positions are rank within the 24 specialty robots in the Robovations database.

10 in diaTOP5 inSIDEDimensional drawing
Franklin Robotics · Released Jan 2019 · 2.4 lbs
This robot’s rank in categoryCategory median
Price$349$29$100,000
Runtime420min30660 min
Weight2.4lbs0.092,646 lbs
Mapping & navigation

Pressure-switch height sensor, pseudo-random path within bounded area

Lifecycle

The record since launch.

2 tracked events since launch
2019202020212022202320242025TODAY123
  1. 1
    RELEASE · JAN 1, 2019First shipped
  2. 2
    NEWS · AUG 15, 2024Tertill retail availability narrows to direct-only as third-party stock thins
  3. 3
    REASSESSED · APR 10, 2025Tertill fit-profile narrowed following multi-season owner reports on plant damage
Ownership & reliability

How it holds up after the purchase.

Owner reports · manufacturer documentation

Steady performer in contained beds; battery and motor durability improve over seasons.

Owner reports from multi-year deployments confirm reliable cutting mechanics and battery longevity. The primary failure point is moisture ingress during heavy rain; drying and cover storage extend lifespan. Manufacturer has iterated battery design across generations to improve winter performance.

Owner effort~30 minhands-on time per month
ConsumablesNoneper year, replaceable parts
Reliability trendStableowner-reported arc to date
What goes wrong, and who fixes it
Failure pointLikelihoodResolution
Moisture damage in wet climatesCorrosion of battery terminals, motor bearing stiffnessOccasionalOwner fixDry-storage winter maintenance, cover during heavy rain
Debris binding in diskReduced cutting effectiveness, increased motor loadOccasionalOwner fixWeekly manual inspection and removal of grass clumps
Perimeter edge escapeRobot exits bed boundary, lost or damagedRareOwner fixRaise bed edges or use supplemental physical barriers
Maintenance cadence
Weekly52×a year

Remove grass clumps and debris from disk area.

Monthly12×a year

Inspect battery terminals for corrosion, clean if needed.

Seasonally4×a year

Store indoors during winter or heavy rain; check rubber seals before redeployment.

As neededVariesno fixed cadence

Tighten perimeter or bed edges if robot escapes; no user-replaceable consumables.

Safety flags
CautionRotating disk beneath coverContact with spinning blade during maintenance or clearing. Always remove battery before servicing.
NoteUnsupervised operation in yards with children or petsThe robot operates autonomously; keep supervising adults or barriers present to prevent inadvertent contact.
Common questions

What buyers actually ask.

5 answered
Operation
Does Tertill cut grass, or just weeds?
Manufacturer specs confirm operation only in gardens with plants taller than 2 inches. It will cut grass and short vegetation equally, so it is not suitable for lawns. Owner reports confirm best use in established beds where desired plants are tall enough to be protected by the height sensor.
Operation
How long does the solar battery last on cloudy days?
The robot uses a rechargeable 7-hour runtime on a full charge. Manufacturer specs do not detail charge time under cloud cover; owner reports from temperate climates suggest 2-3 days of operation possible with partial sun before a full-sun recharge cycle is needed.
Operation
Can I use Tertill on sloped terrain?
Manufacturer documentation specifies operation on ground with up to 30% slope. Owner reports from sloped gardens describe slower coverage and occasional tipping on steeper sections, so terraced or level placement is preferred.
Operation
What happens to clipped plant material?
The cutting disk severs weeds below soil level; clippings remain in the bed and decompose naturally. Manufacturer documentation states no collection or mulching occurs, so heavy cutting periods may leave visible debris until breakdown occurs.
Operation
Does Tertill need boundaries or perimeter wire?
No perimeter setup is required. The robot operates within physical boundaries of the bed itself, exiting the bed via a slight tilt or bump response. Manufacturers recommend contained beds (raised boxes or distinct borders) for optimal operation.

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Cite & embed

Reference the Tertill Garden Weeding Robot classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark links back to this assessment and updates if the classification changes.

RobovationsAutonomy Ladder™IIAssisted AutonomyIndependent classification
Citation
Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

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By RobovationsUpdated: Jun 14, 2026
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