What was once a housekeeper’s dream has been realized in automated vacuum cleaners, which initially were more of a novelty but are now finding mainstream acceptance.
With the introduction of robotic cleaners for the swimming pool and now robot lawnmowers, the person responsible for keeping the yard clean has found some relief.
There are very few thefts of robot lawnmowers in America, and the internal anti-theft features act as a capable deterrent. If the robot lawnmower is stolen, it can generally be tracked and recovered; however, as they become popular and more extensively used, the theft risk will increase.
Keeping a robot lawnmower safe from thieves is relatively easy; they have very advanced anti-theft protection, but they can generally be tracked using the onboard GPS features.
Despite this, it is important that they be physically protected and that you ensure your insurance coverage is in place.
Robot Lawnmowers Do Get Stolen
In 2020, across the country (United States), the larceny (theft of personal property) theft rate was 1,398 per 100,000 inhabitants. In simple terms, this means a 1.39% chance that any citizen will have personal property stolen.
This figure relates to any type of personal property other than vehicle theft.
In some areas, homeowners who used the early generation robot mowers had a problem with the machines being stolen from the gardens.
The latest generation of robot lawnmowers uses several security features which the cell phone manufacturers pioneered.
It made the robot lawnmowers harder to steal, but some features make them unusable in the hands of someone other than the owner.
Realistically if there is a market for something, someone will find a way to fulfill it. In the same way, if a need exists for stolen robot lawnmowers, there will be a morally bankrupt person who will find a way to steal them.
A caveat to this is that while the security features listed below effectively prevent the robot mower’s ongoing use after a theft, it does not preclude the thieves from breaking the stolen machine down and selling the parts as spares.
What Are The Security Precautions Included In A Robot Lawnmower?
If you want to purchase a robot lawnmower, ensure that the one you choose has the following security features.
Pin Code Access
Most current-generation robot lawnmowers have a pin code access system.
It ensures that the lawnmower can only be activated if correctly entered the four-digit pin code.
In the same way, your phone features pin code access; if the incorrect code is entered multiple times, the robotic lawnmower system will lock the user out.
Some robotic lawn mowers require the pin code to be entered after a pre-determined period, after a set number of days or weeks.
While the thief can use the machine for a period up to the next scheduled pin code entry date, the device will shut down unless a valid pin code is entered at that time.
If the model robot mower you choose has the ability, it is recommended that you set the PIN code to be input every time the mower is manually stopped or the access panel is opened.
Theft Alarms
Most robot lawnmowers are equipped with an alarm.
The owner can generally set the alarms based on a personalized set of conditions.
For example, it could be set to sound in the following circumstances.
- If the robot lawn mower is lifted and the stop button is not pressed.
- If the device is manually halted using the stop button, most make a start require a PIN code to be correctly entered within a set time. If it is not entered, the alarm activates.
- If an attempt is made to use the robot mower without entering the PIN code.
- If the robot lawn mower is lifted from the charging station without entering the PIN code.
- The time the alarm sounds can also be set with an option of between one minute and 20 minutes.
The alarm is stopped by entering the correct pin code.
Charging Station Pairing
Most robot lawnmowers require the charging stations to be paired with the lawnmower.
Once the pairing is completed, it is secure with the pin code.
If the robot lawnmower is stolen without the charging station, there will be no way to use it with another charging station.
Does The Robot Mower Have A Cell Phone App?
If the robot lawnmower has an app, it offers several benefits.
The benefits may include.
- Real-time updates on the robot lawnmower condition.
- An alarm if the mower gets stuck or experiences a problem.
- A battery condition meter.
- How often does the robot lawnmower cut and the area it cut?
- The physical position of the lawnmower.
- It should also have a geo fencing feature that sounds the alarm if the robot lawnmower is moved outside the approved area.
- The ability to track the lawnmower if it is stolen.
Blacklisting Robot Lawnmowers
Some manufacturers offer a “blacklisting service” which can be notified if the lawnmower is stolen.
This feature alerts the dealers if they are offered a lawnmower or one is brought in for repairs.
A Robot Lawnmower Garage
Currently, the number of robot lawnmowers sold is not large, and therefore there is a limited market to sell them, and therefore less incentive for them to be sold.
As they become more popular and they start to be seen in greater numbers, the potential reward for thieves will increase, and they will become more attractive to criminals.
It will not matter what anti-theft systems are installed in a robot lawnmower; criminals will find a way to steal them, and also, they will “monetize” their activities.
Unfortunately, some criminals are innovative and will find a way to overcome the protections.
It is also important to secure the robot lawnmower physically.
Several robot lawnmower garages are on offer, which can be installed in a secure location in the garden. The charging station is installed in these garages, and when the robot lawnmower needs to charge, it enters the garage.
The robot lawnmower can be set to enter the garage at night and leave it in the morning. Some garages have an automatic opening and closing feature in the doors, and once inside, it is effectively locked away and secured.
Insure The Robot Lawnmower
If all the protections fail, you need to have the robot lawnmower replaced.
Therefore, should ensure that your insurance policy provides adequate coverage.
Check with your insurance brokers and if necessary, have them include the robot lawnmower on the policy.
Conclusion
The robot lawnmower has many internal security features that should effectively deter opportunistic thieves. If it is stolen, it should be able to be tracked and ultimately recovered.
It is still important to physically secure the robot lawnmower and keep it fully insured as final protection despite these features.
References
https://www.statista.com/statistics/232583/larceny-theft-rate-in-the-us-by-state/
https://therobotmower.co.uk/2019/06/11/security-insure-your-robot-mower/
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