Why choose the Husqvarna 550 EPOS Automower?
What is the Husqvarna 550 EPOS?
The Automower 550 EPOS is a commercial/large‑area robotic lawn mower by Husqvarna, built for professional use, green spaces, estates, sports fields, etc. EPOS stands for Exact Positioning Operating System — a satellite‑based RTK/GNSS guidance system that creates virtual boundaries rather than relying on physical boundary wires.
Here are the key advantages and features.
Major Advantages
Wire‑free / Virtual boundaries
No need to install and maintain physical boundary wires. This reduces installation effort, maintenance, risk of damage, and disruption of the lawn.
The EPOS/RTK technology gives high accuracy (≈ 2‑3 cm) in defining boundaries.
Flexible area & zone management
You can define multiple work areas, each with its own schedule, cutting height, mowing pattern.
Temporary “stay‑out zones” can be set via the app (useful for events, repairs, or when part of the lawn must be protected).
High capacity / large area coverage
Designed for large green areas: up to ~10,000 m² (≈1 hectare, ~2.5 acres) under normal conditions.
Handles slopes up to 45% (24°) inside installation area.
Precision & mowing pattern control
Because of virtual guidance, the mower can follow systematic mowing patterns (parallel lines, checkerboard, diamonds etc.), which improves the aesthetic look of large lawns/sports fields.
Electric height adjustment from app or main menu allows precise control over cut height.
Robust use under varying conditions
Built to work in different weather. The unit is rated IPX4 for weather resistance.
Large coarse‑tread wheels for traction, even on slopes.
Connectivity, remote control & fleet management
App‑based control via Husqvarna Fleet Services / Automower Connect: scheduling, monitoring, status, etc.
Features like appDrive, which lets you manually drive or reposition the mower using your smartphone. Useful during installation or when moving between zones.
Safety & security features
Sensors for lift & tilt (blades stop if the unit is lifted or tipped).
Warning lights to increase visibility at night etc.
GPS theft tracking, PIN‑code, alarm features.
Energy efficiency & lower maintenance
The “cuts little but frequently” approach tends to be better for grass health, less stress, more consistent results.
Sharp blades, effective cutting disc, designed for efficient energy usage.
Considerations / When It Might Not Be Ideal
While you asked for advantages, for a balanced blog post it's useful to acknowledge potential drawbacks, so readers can weigh pros & cons. Some that often come up:
Higher upfront cost compared to simpler robotic mowers or conventional mowers.
Need for clear sky view for satellite/RTK operation. Dense tree cover may degrade accuracy.
Reference station required (for EPOS), and that adds complexity.
Maintenance of blades, occasional firmware updates, etc., though many of these are remote.