Mammotion Luba 3 AWD: The Formula 1 of Lawn Mowing Robots, Our Complete Test
Even with the summer heat, our test lawn is never idle. This time we tested a robot that we can honestly define as the Formula 1 of lawn mowing robots: the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD. This is not just a casual statement for effect: the build quality, technological features, and on-field performance convinced us right from the unboxing.
If you want to see how the test went, you can find it in our dedicated video:
Unboxing and Accessories
The packaging presents a slightly different design than usual: on the outer cardboard, we find all the indications about the robot's parts and the contents of the box, while on the opposite side is the quick start guide for the first steps. Upon opening the box, the robot is protected by standard foam, a rare sight indeed.
The accessories are richer than average:
- Screws for securing the base to the lawn and cable pegs
- A brush for cleaning the robot
- A screwdriver with dual tips for assembly
- A power supply with a waterproof connector
- A front bumper and two side shields
- A pre-assembled charging base, protection dome, spare blades, and screws
- Two safety keys for activation, stored in a dedicated compartment
Design and Construction
The visual impact is striking. The two front high-definition cameras and the 360° LiDAR sensor, protected by a dome that few other manufacturers adopt, stand out immediately. There is also the classic stop button, redesigned compared to previous models, along with a rain detection sensor. However, there is no physical display on the robot; management is entirely entrusted to the app.
A technical feature is the front omnidirectional wheels, equipped with small shock absorbers: these allow the robot to slide sideways during turns, enhancing agility in tighter spots. The rear wheels, although not particularly large in diameter, use very grippy rubber and a significant width, ensuring a solid grip on the ground, as confirmed during operational use.
At the bottom, we find the real mechanical strength: dual cutting disks with six blades each, totaling 12 blades. This cutting width is significantly above the average for robotic lawn mowers, designed to handle lawns up to 3,000 m². A small downside: the robot lacks a balance point to stand on its own during maintenance, unlike other models.
Setup and Connection
Mounting the side shields and bumper is quick, thanks to pre-threaded holes. The method of attaching to the charging base is intriguing: the robot reverses in, ready to move forward upon reactivation. To activate the Luba, it is necessary to insert one of the two included keys into a compartment located at the back.
The pairing with the Mammotion app is nearly instantaneous: as soon as it turns on, the robot emits a sound (somewhat unsettling, one might say) similar to a blade being drawn, and the app automatically recognizes it. The Luba 3 AWD connects by default to the built-in 4G network, but we still recommend enabling Wi-Fi where available. However, like most products, having a wireless connection to the home network is not a requirement once set up.
Positioning System: LiDAR, Cameras, and NRTK
Here lies one of the most interesting elements of the product: the Luba 3 AWD combines the three main positioning technologies currently available on the market:
- 360° LiDAR: emitting a network of pulses that accurately reconstructs the surrounding environment, recognizing fixed obstacles like poles, trees, and walls.
- Dual AI front camera: ensures depth perception and visual recognition of what lies ahead, including grass recognition through the green color of the grass.
- NRTK satellite positioning: the