At IFA 2025, a concept robot lawnmower stole attention by doing much more than mowing: it picked fruit, cleared debris, trimmed edges, and even played fetch. Unveiled on September 5, 2025, the NexLawn Master X is developed with Dreame’s MOVA sub-brand and centers on a modular arm that reaches up to one meter horizontally, extends 77 centimeters, and folds down to 44.5 centimeters when stowed. NexLawn calls it a concept showcase, with no pricing or release date attached yet. [2][1][3][4]
Key Takeaways
– Shows a 1‑meter horizontal reach and 77 cm vertical extension, plus a 44.5 cm folded length for storage, pushing yard-robot versatility further. – Reveals a compact 25 cm AWD chassis and interchangeable modules, including multi‑gripper, trimmer, and edging head for multi‑task yard work. – Demonstrates a concept status with zero pricing and no retail date after debuting on September 5, 2025, at Berlin’s IFA technology show. – Indicates broader ambitions: clearing debris, edging, harvesting low‑hanging fruit, and pet fetch, all managed from a single robotic platform. – Suggests NexLawn’s roadmap includes other models—VIDAR series slated for spring 2026—while Master X remains a concept without ship dates.
Why this robot lawnmower matters now
Robot mowers have historically focused on grass-cutting alone, leaving edge work, obstacles, and seasonal tasks to manual tools. By adding a one‑meter‑reach arm and modular attachments, the Master X reframes the category from single‑purpose mower to generalist yard robot. That multimodal promise—trim, weed, pick, and fetch—signals a shift toward robotic help across more of the yard’s real workload, not just the lawn’s interior. [1]
NotebookCheck underscored the novelty: a mower-mounted arm is still unusual in consumer robotics. The Master X’s gripper and tool head could reduce the number of separate gadgets needed for edging or debris removal, tasks that traditional robot mowers typically don’t handle well. That makes the platform’s range of motion (77 cm extension and 1 m reach) not just a spec sheet flex, but a potential utility multiplier. [3]
Because those capabilities appeared at a major trade fair, they arrive with industry scrutiny and consumer curiosity. The ability to toss a dog’s ball may sound playful, yet it’s a practical test of grasping, object detection, and repeatability that underpins more serious yard tasks such as fruit picking and branch clearing. [1]
Robot lawnmower arm specs, modules, and tasks
The Master X concept centers on a foldable arm that collapses to 44.5 cm for maneuverability, then extends to 77 cm with a stated one‑meter reach to access edges, corners, and low‑hanging branches. The arm’s envelope broadens the mowing robot’s workspace well beyond the cutting deck, enabling grasping and precise tool placement at ground level and just above. [2][4][3]
Interchangeable attachments are the second pillar. NexLawn and MOVA highlighted a multi‑gripper for picking and placing, a trimmer for edges, and an edging head for clean lawn boundaries. The company also says the robot can clear debris, harvest low-hanging fruit, and interact with pets—yes, including throwing a ball in fetch mode, a task that doubles as a dexterity demo. [2][1]
Underneath, the robot rides on a compact all‑wheel‑drive chassis measured at 25 cm. Paired with the arm, the AWD base should help the platform align itself precisely for edge trimming or fruit picking without human repositioning. Together, the drivetrain and arm expand the robot’s job list from mowing to multi‑task yard maintenance on a single mobile base. [2]
What’s confirmed: dates, pricing, and concept status
NexLawn presented Master X on September 5, 2025, during IFA’s press and show days, positioning it prominently at the booth. The company clearly labeled it a concept—no preorders, no retail window—framing the Master X as a forward peek at multifunction yard robotics rather than a near‑term product. [2][1]
Multiple outlets noted that production is not confirmed. NotebookCheck reiterated that while the arm’s novelty drew attention, NexLawn has not provided pricing or a release plan, and none of the on‑stand specs translated into a ship date roadmap. It’s a technology demonstration first, not a launch announcement. [3]
Meanwhile, the brand’s broader lineup offers the only timeboxed signal: a separate VIDAR series is slated for spring 2026 and emphasizes NexDetect LiDAR‑based vision and navigation (for those models). That timeline underlines how Master X remains distinct—publicly a concept with no price and no date. [5][1]
How it stacks up against today’s yard bots
Most consumer robot mowers automate mowing paths but stop short of handling delicate edge trim or object manipulation. The Master X claims to bridge that gap with a trimmer and edging head mounted on an arm engineered for precise placement, potentially cleaning up the “edge problem” that often forces manual follow‑up. [2][1]
The one‑meter reach and 77 cm extension matter here. They give a mower-sized platform the ability to interact beyond the blade swath—picking fruit, moving sticks, or relocating toys—without external tools. The fold-down length (44.5 cm) helps preserve stability and clearance when the arm isn’t needed, an important detail for navigation on uneven grass. [3][4]
Crucially, the arm-on-mower approach is still rare enough to count as a differentiator. NotebookCheck called out the novelty of a mower-mounted arm, and that design choice could push competitors to experiment with modularity as they chase more “whole‑yard” automation, not just center‑field mowing stripes. [3]
Market outlook: who buys a mower that plays fetch?
Early adopters with complex yards—trees dropping fruit, edges that need frequent touch‑ups, pets that demand engagement—look like the natural test audience. A robot lawnmower that can trim, grasp, and toss points toward homes where manual follow‑ups remain the time sink after mowing, and where multi‑function robotics could save repeated trips outside. [1][2]
But this is a concept, and that matters. Without a price or schedule, the real question is less “who buys?” than “what form ships?” The demo highlights compelling tasks and hardware geometry, yet the market will watch whether those features can be delivered reliably, safely, and at a consumer‑friendly cost. [1]
NexLawn’s broader cadence hints at a phased strategy. With the VIDAR series planned for spring 2026 using NexDetect LiDAR, the company is signaling that near‑term sales will come from other models while Master X remains the aspirational flag for modular yard automation. [5]
What to watch next
Specifications that didn’t make the stand signage will drive adoption: payload the arm can lift safely, cycle times for tasks like edging a typical lot, and runtime impacts when switching tools. Confirmation of those numbers will separate a cool demo from a dependable daily helper. [1][3]
Vision and safety are equally critical. NexLawn’s press around NexDetect LiDAR for other models suggests a sensing stack, but how Master X perceives and handles pets, branches, and fragile fruit is central to performance and liability. [5]
Finally, pricing and module strategy could decide viability. If the base plus attachments is modularly priced, homeowners may build capability over time; if it’s bundled at a premium, adoption could slow. Either way, a concrete window for pilot programs or developer access would convert curiosity into validated use cases. [1]
Safety, sensors, and navigation questions
IFA demos favor showmanship over transparency, so the unanswered questions matter: obstacle avoidance around pets, compliance in the gripper, and safe torque limits at the arm’s 1 m reach. [1][3]
We also need clarity on how the robot lawnmower localizes edges for consistent trims—vision beacons, LiDAR mapping, or another stack adapted from the VIDAR line. [5][2]
Lastly, yard complexity varies. Slopes, wet grass, and loose debris challenge AWD traction. The 25 cm chassis and folded 44.5 cm arm will need proven stability in those conditions. [2][4]
Sources:
[1] The Verge – This robot lawnmower is designed to pick fruit and throw your dog a ball: www.theverge.com/news/772045/nexlawn-master-x-series-concept-robot-lawnmower” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>https://www.theverge.com/news/772045/nexlawn-master-x-series-concept-robot-lawnmower
[2] Android Authority – IFA 2025: NexLawn debuts and teams up with MOVA to showcase lawn and garden care innovations: https://www.androidauthority.com/ifa-2025-nexlawn-robotic-lawn-mowers-3594322/ [3] NotebookCheck – Robotic lawnmower with gripper arm can pick fruit and trim edges: Mova unveils NexLawn Master X concept: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Robotic-lawnmower-with-gripper-arm-can-pick-fruit-and-trim-edges-Mova-unveils-NexLawn-Master-X-concept.1106526.0.html
[4] Heise – NexLawn Master X: robotic lawnmower with arm cuts lawn edges, picks fruit: https://www.heise.de/en/news/NexLawn-Master-X-robotic-lawnmower-with-arm-cuts-lawn-edges-picks-fruit-10631803.html [5] Adnkronos / ImmediaPress – NexLawn Unveils Arm-Equipped Robotic Mowers and Smart Yard Lineup at IFA 2025: www.adnkronos.com/immediapress/eng/nexlawn-unveils-arm-equipped-robotic-mowers-and-smart-yard-lineup-at-ifa-2025_4R8r3UoOQ2ojSxXHf6ICB3″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>https://www.adnkronos.com/immediapress/eng/nexlawn-unveils-arm-equipped-robotic-mowers-and-smart-yard-lineup-at-ifa-2025_4R8r3UoOQ2ojSxXHf6ICB3
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