Sunseeker’s latest at IFA – a robot mower that can pick up objects
The International Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) has become a showcase for autonomous garden gear, and Sunseeker’s stand was no exception. The company used the event to preview its upcoming S7 LiDAR Ultra AWD 3000, a high‑end robotic mower that adds a small‑scale pick‑up arm to the usual cutting‑blade package.
How the S7 works
The S7 relies on a LiDAR sensor to map the lawn in three dimensions, a technology more often seen in self‑driving cars than in garden equipment. This allows the mower to plot an efficient route, avoid obstacles and return to its charging dock with pinpoint accuracy. What sets the S7 apart, however, is a motorised arm that can extend forward, grasp a lightweight object – such as a child’s ball or a dog’s toy – and place it in a dedicated collection bin before resuming its mowing pattern.
The arm’s performance – impressive concept, sluggish execution
During the hands‑on demo at Sunseeker’s booth, the arm’s motion was clearly the star of the show. It unfolded, lifted a plastic ball, and deposited it into the bin without disturbing the mower’s trajectory. The concept is undeniably clever: a mower that can clear its own path rather than simply stopping and waiting for a human to intervene.
Unfortunately, the speed of the arm proved to be a bottleneck. Each pick‑up cycle added several seconds to the mower’s overall runtime, and when multiple objects were scattered across the test lawn, the cumulative delay became noticeable. For a device that is meant to operate autonomously while you’re away, a pause of even a few seconds per obstacle can translate into a longer mowing window – something that matters when daylight hours are limited, especially in the UK’s shorter summer evenings.
Size limits – only tiny items are handled
The S7’s arm is designed for lightweight, compact objects. In the demo, it easily lifted a tennis ball and a small plastic toy, but a modest branch (about 2 cm in diameter) was beyond its capacity. Sunseeker acknowledges this limitation, positioning the arm as a convenience feature rather than a replacement for manual clean‑up. For households with pets or young children who frequently leave toys on the grass, the arm could be handy; for larger debris – fallen leaves, twigs, or garden waste – the mower will still need to stop and wait for a user to clear the obstruction.
How it stacks up against the competition
Most rival robotic mowers – such as those from Mammotion, Airseekers, and a host of Chinese manufacturers – concentrate on edge‑cutting, multi‑zone mapping and battery efficiency. They typically lack any mechanism for object removal, opting instead for obstacle‑avoidance sensors that simply steer around items or pause until the obstruction is cleared.
Sunseeker’s approach is a different design philosophy: rather than avoiding obstacles, the S7 attempts to eliminate them. While this is an innovative direction, the trade‑off is clear. Competitors that focus on trimming and edging can often complete a full‑yard cut faster because they spend less time on secondary tasks. For a UK consumer who values a quick, set‑and‑forget solution, the extra time spent on object handling may outweigh the novelty.
Availability and pricing outlook
Sunseeker hinted that the S7 will launch in early 2027 across the United States and Canada, with pricing expected to sit in the premium bracket (roughly $2,500 – $3,000 USD). No firm UK release date has been announced, and it is unclear whether the company will partner with local retailers or offer the mower through its own online store.
For UK shoppers, the lack of a domestic launch means that the S7 will likely be imported, incurring additional duties and shipping costs. Until Sunseeker clarifies its European rollout, buyers may find more immediate options from established UK‑available brands such as Husqvarna Automower, Bosch Indego, or Worx Landroid, all of which already support Wi‑Fi control via Android apps – a feature that aligns well with Android‑centric smart‑home ecosystems.
What this means for Android‑friendly garden tech
The S7’s Android‑compatible app (demonstrated on a Samsung Galaxy device at the booth) allows users to set mowing schedules, define no‑go zones and receive real‑time alerts when the arm engages. This integration is consistent with the growing trend of Android‑centric IoT devices that can be managed from a single mobile hub.
However, the practical benefit of the pick‑up arm will only be realised if the software latency matches the hardware speed. In the demo, the app displayed a brief “object detected” notification, but the mower still took several seconds to complete the pick‑up routine. For Android users accustomed to instant feedback from smart speakers or lighting controls, this lag may feel out of step.
Bottom line
Sunseeker’s S7 LiDAR Ultra AWD 3000 is a technically impressive addition to the robotic mower market, bringing LiDAR navigation and a small‑scale pick‑up arm together in a single package. The concept of a mower that can clear toys and other minor debris without human help is appealing, especially for families with active backyards.
Nevertheless, the slow arm movement and limited object size mean that the feature is more of a novelty than a game‑changing advantage. For UK consumers who prioritize swift, reliable mowing and want a device that integrates seamlessly with their Android ecosystem, established models that excel at edging and multi‑zone mowing may still offer better value.
If Sunseeker can speed up the arm’s operation and broaden its payload capacity before the European launch, the S7 could become a compelling niche product. Until then, it remains an intriguing preview that will need further refinement to compete with the fast‑cutting, edge‑focused robots already on the market.
The information above is based on a hands‑on preview at IFA and statements from Sunseeker representatives. Availability dates and pricing are subject to change.
