Willand Celebrates Production of One Million Robotic Lawn Mowers
By Cheng Zi | Published April 30, 2026 | 3-minute read
Milestone Achievement at Changzhou Facility
Willand, the company behind the Segway Navimow robotic lawn mower series, has proudly announced the completion of its one millionth unit. This landmark was commemorated during a special event held at its research, development, and manufacturing center in Changzhou, China.
The ceremony featured key figures including Calvin Chen, Willand’s President and Chief Technology Officer; George Ren, the company’s Chief Executive Officer; and Frank Holzmann, Senior Vice President at TUV Rheinland.
Strategic Growth Amidst Rising Market Competition
As the robotic lawn mower industry becomes increasingly competitive, this production milestone highlights Willand’s robust technology development, resilient supply chain, and expanding global footprint. Since launching its pioneering wire-free model in 2021, the company has steadily scaled production, reflecting the rapid growth of China’s outdoor robotics sector.
Market Expansion Driven by Wire-Free Models
Market data underscores this surge: from January to July 2025, China’s lawn mower exports soared to RMB 13.2 billion (approximately USD 1.9 billion), marking a 56.6% increase compared to the previous year. Globally, robotic lawn mower sales skyrocketed by 327% year-over-year in the first half of 2025. Notably, wire-free models have become the dominant force, expanding their market share from 35% in 2024 to 65% in 2025, fueling much of this growth.
Technical Challenges in Achieving True Autonomy
Despite these advances, robotic lawn mowers still face significant technical hurdles. Designed to operate reliably outdoors under diverse weather conditions-sunlight, rain, wind, snow, and dust-these devices require durability akin to automotive standards. However, current sensor technologies, including single- and dual-sensor configurations, have limitations. For instance, Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning signals can weaken under dense foliage or near buildings, vision-based systems are sensitive to lighting and distance, and LiDAR effectiveness depends heavily on environmental features.
Consequently, delivering a fully autonomous mower that requires minimal user intervention remains an industry-wide challenge.
Innovations Driving Enhanced Performance
Willand has concentrated its innovation efforts on four critical domains: high-precision positioning, autonomous navigation, advanced obstacle detection, and operational efficiency in complex outdoor settings.
In 2026, the company unveiled its proprietary EFLSTM LiDAR+ system, a triple-fusion positioning technology integrating solid-state LiDAR, visual perception, and network RTK. Powered by artificial intelligence, this system processes multiple data streams simultaneously, achieving centimeter-level mapping accuracy and ensuring stable navigation even in challenging environments, thereby minimizing operational disruptions.
Advanced Safety and Obstacle Detection with VisionFence
To enhance safety and obstacle avoidance, Willand developed VisionFence, a sophisticated visual boundary system. Combining wide-angle cameras covering 140 to 360 degrees with time-of-flight sensors and AI-driven algorithms, VisionFence can detect over 200 obstacle types-including suspended objects-with precision down to one centimeter. This technology ensures consistent sensing and safety performance across varying environmental conditions.
Diverse Product Range for Varied Applications
The Segway Navimow product line caters to a broad spectrum of needs, from small residential lawns to expansive commercial green spaces. Models such as the X420 and i206 AWD have earned TUV Rheinland’s prestigious “Lawn Care” certification, underscoring their quality and reliability. The innovative “Xero-turn” all-wheel-drive system enhances traction on steep slopes and uneven terrain while minimizing turf damage during tight maneuvers.
Global Market Leadership and Expanding Distribution
Willand’s product evolution has paralleled its commercial growth. In April 2026, the company was officially recognized as the world’s top-selling brand for wire-free robotic lawn mowers in retail for two consecutive years. During major sales events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday 2025, Willand’s products ranked among the best-sellers in six European countries. Its distribution network now spans over 40 countries and regions, supported by more than 5,000 physical retail outlets worldwide.
Robust Manufacturing Network for Enhanced Supply Chain
Willand operates large-scale manufacturing facilities in Changzhou and Nantong, China, complemented by a fully operational plant in Malaysia since early 2026. This tri-regional manufacturing network enables the company to accelerate delivery times and respond flexibly to fluctuating global demand.
