Robot mower leaves uncut edges: map setting or geometry?
An uncut strip can result from the boundary setting or from the distance between the mower body and the blade’s cutting area. If the body cannot approach a wall, editing the map will not move the blade beyond its physical reach. Identify the type of edge before changing settings.
In this guide
- Three edges, three different constraints
- Geometry or a mapping issue?
- Ride-on cutting does not solve every wall edge
- A sensible adjustment order
- What accessories should not change
- Count the edges that still need manual work
- Boundary measurement worksheet
- Compare before and after adjustment
- What to compare between robots
- A realistic garden target
- Next step
Three edges, three different constraints
| Lawn edge | What limits cutting | Useful action |
|---|---|---|
| Stable, flush paving at grass level | Permitted wheel and boundary position | Check ride-on settings and manual requirements |
| Wall, fence or raised kerb | Body clearance and blade offset | Allow for a strip needing manual finishing |
| Drop, water or a hazardous step | Required protection and setback | Keep safety requirements; do not move the boundary towards danger |
Geometry or a mapping issue?
Observe several safely conducted passes. A consistent strip along a wall can indicate a reach limit. A large local gap at one bend may come from the boundary shape, an obstacle or turning behaviour. These are diagnostic clues, not a certain diagnosis from one photograph.
Measure the remaining strip at several points with the robot stopped and away from the work area. Record edge type, task settings and the point where the mower changes course. Never place measuring tools beneath an operating machine.
Ride-on cutting does not solve every wall edge
Navimow describes ride-on boundary cutting for i2 LiDAR. That does not establish permission to drive onto any material or beyond secure wheel support. Check the exact model’s manual and edge configuration; do not transfer setback values from another mower series.
Paving height, stability and width matter. A strip can look flush from above yet have a step or slippery surface. If the manufacturer requires a barrier or clearance, a neater edge is not a reason to remove that condition.
A sensible adjustment order
- Check that the correct boundary and zone are saved and active in the task.
- Remove ordinary removable obstacles from the route without changing safeguards.
- Compare edge settings with the model’s instructions.
- Where adjustment is permitted, change a short section and observe from a safe distance.
- If a physical limit remains, plan manual finishing or an edge redesign that meets installation requirements.
What accessories should not change
Do not solve an edge problem with unapproved blades, a relocated cutting disc or modified sensors. Changing the cutting reach can undermine the relationship between the guard and the working parts. Use maintenance components and procedures specified for the exact model.
Keep before-and-after notes for each adjusted section. If the mower still leaves the same strip after a correctly permitted setting change, repeated boundary edits are unlikely to provide useful evidence. Ask the installer to assess geometry and installation instead.
Count the edges that still need manual work
A narrow strip can occupy little area while extending a long way. A strip 10 cm wide along 100 m of boundary covers 10 m². On a 600 m² lawn that is about 1.7% of the area, but manual trimming may require walking the entire boundary. Percentage of lawn covered does not describe that obligation particularly well.
Before buying, list the sections: level paving, wall, flower-bed border, corner and any boundary requiring protection. Record length and the strip left behind. Start with the longest recurring sections rather than concentrating only on one difficult corner.
Boundary measurement worksheet
| Section | Measure | Record beyond the dimension |
|---|---|---|
| Wall or raised kerb | Length and remaining strip | Fixed cutting-offset geometry |
| Level edging | Width and height relative to turf | Wheel support and permitted boundary mode |
| Corner | Area missed after turning | Turning path and obstacles |
| Hazard boundary | Requirements in the correct manual | Protection takes priority over appearance |
Compare before and after adjustment
Identify the section in a photograph and record the setting and result of several comparable passes. Change only a setting permitted by the manual. If a correctly followed route still leaves the same strip, moving the map farther may not help because physical cutting reach remains the limit.
When planning new edging, ask the installer to relate dimensions to the exact mower and ground conditions. Do not derive a universal paving width from blade-disc diameter alone. Wheel position, support, edge height and safe-installation requirements also matter.
What to compare between robots
Ask for a demonstration on a similar boundary type and record the work left behind. Two robots may perform similarly on open grass while leaving different amounts of manual finishing at your borders. Include the full lawn-care cycle in the decision, not just the main mowing pass.
A realistic garden target
A useful goal is a small, predictable manual finishing task within a safe operating area. Before buying, show the seller your different edge types and ask which the machine can maintain itself. A useful answer distinguishes flush paving, raised obstacles and hazardous drops rather than promising perfect edge cutting everywhere.
Next step
Combine the edge measurements with the schedule for the whole garden.
Sources and method
Documentation checked on 11 September 2026. Model information comes from the manufacturer materials below. Checklists and worked examples are RoboMorrow editorial work, not results of our hands-on device tests. Confirm functions and equipment for the exact variant and market.