Segway’s latest entry, the Navimow i215 LiDAR Robotic Lawn Mower, brings another evolution to lawn maintenance. Instead of depending on RTK antennas or satellite positioning, the i215 LiDAR uses a combination of solid-state LiDAR and computer vision to understand its surroundings. The result is a mower that promises a true “drop and mow” setup with no perimeter wires, no antenna installation, and no satellite signal concerns.
Design & Features
At first glance, the i215 LiDAR looks very much like the rest of the Navimow family. A low-profile body, rounded shape, and compact footprint feel familiar, and its modern appearance isn’t overly futuristic, making it less conspicuous sitting in the yard than some of the larger robotic mowers currently on the market.
From a feature standpoint, Segway has assembled an impressive package.
Unlike previous Navimow models that relied on Network RTK positioning, the i215 LiDAR introduces Segway’s EFLS LiDAR navigation system. Using solid-state LiDAR inspired by autonomous vehicle technology, the mower scans roughly 200,000 points per second to create a three-dimensional map of the yard. Combined with an onboard vision system, it continuously builds and updates its understanding of the mowing area without depending on satellite reception.
That’s a notable change for the Navimow lineup. Previous models have earned praise for their RTK navigation, but the i215 LiDAR broadens the audience by targeting yards where satellite signals can be inconsistent. This is great news for homeowners with dense tree cover, fences, or homes that interfere with GPS signals.
The mower also carries an IP66 weather-resistance rating, allowing it to withstand rain, dust, and routine cleaning with a garden hose. Noise output is rated at just 59 dBA, making it quiet enough to run without becoming the loudest thing in the neighborhood.
One of the most appealing aspects of the i215 LiDAR that retailers can showcase is how little setup is required. Rather than placing an RTK antenna and calibrating satellite reception, users simply position the charging station, connect the mower through the mobile app, and begin automatic or manual mapping of their yard.
Segway’s “One-Click Auto Mapping” feature, accessed through the Navimow app, scans the property and creates a full-color map that can be edited directly inside the app, allowing users to adjust boundaries, create mowing zones, or establish no-go areas with simple point-and-click controls. Owners can also adjust cutting height, monitor progress remotely, and receive notifications if the mower leaves its designated area.
Additionally, the Navimow app features support for up to 20 independent mowing zones, making it easier to manage front yards, backyards, side lots, or disconnected patches of grass without creating separate maps. The i215 LiDAR also includes a built-in 4G module for remote connectivity, GPS tracking, theft alerts, and one year of included cellular service. Apple Find My integration adds another layer of recovery should the mower ever disappear.
Voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Home is also supported, and users can start or stop mowing with simple voice commands.
The i215 LiDAR doesn’t feature the all-wheel-drive hardware found on some higher-end Navimow models. But Segway has clearly designed it to handle more than just perfectly level suburban lawns, equipping the i215 with Electronic Stability Control that actively adjusts wheel movement to maintain traction while climbing slopes of up to 24 degrees. Combined with its aggressive-looking off-road wheels and a 100-watt peak motor driving a six-blade cutting disc, the i215 can handle thicker grass or moderate elevation changes with ease.
LiDAR Is The Star Of The Show
Rather than depending on satellites for positioning, the i215 mower builds a real-time understanding of the yard using a solid-state LiDAR sensor and onboard cameras. Segway’s EFLS (Exact Fusion Locating System) continuously scans the environment to generate a three-dimensional map, allowing the mower to identify where it is based on permanent features in the landscape instead of external positioning signals.
Satellite-based navigation has become increasingly accurate, but trees, fences, nearby buildings, and even weather conditions can interfere with reception. A LiDAR-first system largely avoids those limitations by using the environment itself as a reference point.
According to Segway, the sensor captures approximately 200,000 measurement points every second with an effective detection range of up to 70 meters (230 feet), refreshing the map every 50 milliseconds. This allows the mower to maintain accurate positioning day or night while operating beneath dense tree canopies where GPS-assisted systems may struggle.
Additionally, obstacle detection has also expanded considerably, and Segway claims its VisionFence AI system can recognize more than 200 different obstacle types with approximately one-centimeter precision before deciding whether to steer around them. That includes everything from patio furniture and toys to pets and landscaping features.
Our Testing Experience
We found the Navimow i215 LiDAR to be one of the most approachable robotic lawn mowers available today, and one that makes autonomous lawn care feel genuinely effortless rather than merely automated. Having tested its big brother, the Navimow X430, we anticipated a drop in performance simply due to the i215’s smaller cutting path and shorter battery life. While it did take longer, we quickly discovered we had severely underestimated this little powerhouse.
Setup was indeed a smooth experience as promoted by Segway. Once we downloaded the system updates while charging the mower and connected to the Navimow app, all we had to do was decide where the charging station should go and plug it in and stake it down. That’s all.
We tested the i215 LiDAR on lawns with Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermuda Grass, encountering patches of thicker crabgrass as well, and we were pleased to see how well the robo mower handled each variety. For our first tests, we selected the auto-mapping option and were pleased to see how well the mower mapped out each yard without manual meddling from us, particularly when it came to recognizing edges of flowerbeds.
After completing our initial tests, we deleted our auto maps and utilized the manual mapping function, using the app to drive the mower around the edges like a remote control car to create the initial maps and creating no-go zones around flower beds. We were also impressed by how quiet the mower operated and how easy it was to use voice control with Amazon Alexa to command the i215.
To test the LiDAR, we left a couple of flower beds unmarked in manual mapping and spread obstacles like kids’ shoes, soccer balls, and hoses randomly in the yards for both tests. The i215 navigated these well, backing up and continuing to mow a safe distance around each obstacle. It also stopped quickly whenever the dog or we walked in front of it while mowing.
While the X430 finished the same yard in less than half an hour, the i215 took longer to complete the mowing simply due to its single cutting deck and shorter battery life. Fortunately, the i215 LiDAR had enough juice to handle the yards, even on the slower Precision Mowing setting.
Unfortunately, like most models in this category, the i215 LiDAR won’t eliminate the need for occasional string trimming around fences, landscaping, or tight corners, but we found that this mower was able to get closer than larger models due to its smaller form factor and LiDAR capabilities. For larger yards, we recommend looking at the Navimow X430, but the i215 is perfect for average-sized lawn maintenance.
Verdict
The Navimow i2 LiDAR represents an interesting shift in robotic lawn care, not because it adds more technology, but because it changes which technology matters.
By replacing satellite-based positioning with onboard LiDAR mapping, Segway has simplified installation while addressing one of the biggest weaknesses of RTK systems: inconsistent reception in challenging environments.
The Navimow i215 LiDAR offers a compelling balance of intelligent navigation, streamlined setup, and everyday usability. For homeowners who’ve been curious about robotic mowing but hesitant because of complicated installation or unreliable GPS coverage, this is one of the most approachable robot mower entries to arrive this year.
See also: Review: Segway Navimow X430
