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ROBOVATIONS/CLASSIFICATION RECORD/ROBOT LAWN MOWERSRELEASED 2023.10REASSESSED 2025.12.12
Yarbo

Yarbo S1

Single platform plows, mows, and blows on GPS-mapped zones without buried wire. Level IV autonomy is genuine within each mode; owner decides transitions.

Yarbo S1
LIST PRICE$4,999MSRP
FIT CHECK

Will the Yarbo S1 work on your yard?

Describe your yard using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Yarbo S1 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.

27.6 in35.4 inTOP14.2 in35.4 inSIDEDimensional drawing
Key specificationsManufacturer-published
Footprint
27.6 × 35.4 in · 14.2 in tall
Weight
134 lbs
Battery
1,382 Wh · Li-ion
Wi-Fi
Supported
Mapping & navigation

GPS with optional RTK base station for centimeter-level boundary precision; app-defined virtual zones without perimeter wire

Where it lands · ranked across 84 robot lawn mowersThis robotMedianTypical range
Runtime240min
50 min240 min
Top of range
Price$4,999
$451$32,829
Above median
Noise82dB
50 dB82 dB
Top of range
Charge time180min
40 min300 min
Above median
Weight134lbs
11.9 lbs160 lbs
Above median

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

Official referencesManufacturer site
OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Functional but provisional; GPS drift under canopy and motor strain in heavy snow documented.

Owner forums report consistent boundary-drift failures in tree-cover zones and snow-motor overload in wet-snow conditions. 18-24 months of field data shows no critical failures but coverage remains early.

Owner effort~1.5 hrshands-on per month
Consumables$48replaceable parts / yr
Reliability trend Stableowner-reported arc
What goes wrong · 4 documented · 1 self-recover
Occasional
GPS boundary drift under canopyUnit leaves mapped zone, requires manual repositioning
Owner fixManual restart after moving to open area
Occasional
Snow motor overload in wet snowMotor cuts out, automatic halt with error code
Owner fixClear blockage and manually restart operation
Occasional
Cold-start battery refusal in sub-20FScheduled job does not begin until thermal warmup
Self-recoversAllow unit to warm before next scheduled run
Rare
Attachment seating failureError code, scheduled run halts mid-task
Owner fixReseat attachment and resume job
Upkeep routine
Each useEvery cycle
Clear debris from plow blade or mower deck; inspect attachment drive components.
Weekly52×/yr
Clean mower deck underside; check blade condition for nicks.
Monthly12×/yr
Inspect GPS antenna housing for moisture; clean charging contacts on base unit.
Seasonal4×/yr
Sharpen or replace mower blades ($15-$30); lubricate plow pivot joints.
Yearly1×/yr
Battery capacity check; full attachment inspection before seasonal transition; firmware update review.
Cost over time · past the sticker
PurchaseRunning cost
Year 1
$5,047
Year 3
$5,143
Year 5
$5,239

$4,999 to buy, then about $48 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $144 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace
  • BladesEvery 3-6 months$15–30

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

Safety notes

CautionRotary mower blade requires clear zone: No dynamic obstacle detection; people and pets must be cleared before scheduled operation begins.

NoteFixed snow discharge direction: Discharge angle cannot be redirected; confirm setup avoids walkways, vehicles, and structures.

Note55-pound unit requires two-person handling: Seasonal storage and attachment loading need assistance per safety documentation.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon
Just launched
Active updates
Settled
Discontinued
  1. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 64 of 100
  2. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score reassessed, overall unchanged at 64
  3. Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 64 → 71
Common questions

What people actually ask.

7 answered
OperationDoes the Yarbo S1 automatically switch between mower, plow, and blower?
No. Attachment swaps are manual and take 10-15 minutes per owner reports. The robot operates each mode fully autonomously once installed, but the owner physically changes modules between functions.
OperationWhat GPS accuracy does the S1 use? Does it need an RTK base station?
Standard GPS provides boundary navigation. Optional RTK base station improves precision to centimeter-level per manufacturer specs. Base unit without RTK works on most residential lots; tight zones near structures benefit from RTK upgrade.
OperationHow much snow can the Yarbo S1 plow in a single pass?
Manufacturer documentation rates the plow for dry snow 6-10 inches per pass. Owner reports show performance degrades with wet or compacted snow above 8 inches, particularly in sub-freezing temperatures that also reduce battery runtime.
OperationWhat lot size is the S1 designed for?
Manufacturer documentation indicates coverage up to approximately 0.75 acres per charge for mowing. Snow plow coverage per charge is typically lower due to motor load.
OperationIs perimeter wire required?
No. The S1 uses GPS-defined virtual boundaries via companion app. This setup advantage over wire-guided systems is significant on established properties, though GPS signal quality varies in wooded or obstructed yards.
OperationDoes the Yarbo S1 avoid pets and children?
No real-time dynamic obstacle detection. Fixed obstacles documented during zone setup are avoided, but moving objects including pets and children are not detected. Manufacturer documentation recommends clearing work zones before scheduling unattended operation.
OperationWhat happens in sub-freezing temperatures?
Owner reports document reduced battery runtime below 20°F, with reduced motor responsiveness in heavy wet snow. Plow is the primary cold-weather use case; Yarbo recommends storing above freezing when not in active operation.

Cite / Embed

Reference the Yarbo S1 classification.

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