iRobot just received FCC approval to build a robotic lawn mower

A lawn-mowing version of the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner might be coming to your backyard soon.

iRobot, makers of the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner, just received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make an automated, robotic lawn mower, according to Reuters. The mower would be guided by signal beacons staked into the ground.

The iRobot lawn mower required a wavier from the FCC to ensure its communications with its signal beacons wouldn't interfere with other devices. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory opposed iRobot's request for a waiver, claiming the lawn mower would interfere with the frequencies used by telescopes. Read more...