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RTK guide
RTK corrects satellite positioning to guide a mower within virtual boundaries. Check the local antenna or network correction setup, reception and mapping before choosing.
Distinguish three functions
- Locate
Positioning and map: where is the mower?
- Detect
Sensors and software: what does it recognise around it?
- Cut
Disc and body: which grass can it reach?
RTK is a correction method, not a universal guarantee
RTK stands for Real Time Kinematic. Correction data improves a position calculated from satellite signals. Quoted accuracy depends on the system and its operating conditions. It must not be turned into a promise of permanently centimetre-accurate cutting against every lawn edge.
Separate three questions: how the mower locates itself, how it detects an obstacle and where its cutting disc can actually reach. Accurate positioning removes neither the clearances prescribed in the manual nor the need for some finishing work.
Local antenna or Network RTK
An RTK installation may use a reference antenna in the garden. Check its mounting, power or cabling and location requirements. Navimow’s installation guide highlights a stable support and an unobstructed view of the sky.
Other configurations receive corrections through a network. The Navimow i2 AWD support page describes operation without a local antenna and a postcode coverage check. Do not apply that capability to every Navimow: verify the exact model, country, coverage, software version and service terms before purchase.
Investigate reception across the entire lawn
Mark trees, buildings and narrow corridors on your plan. A suitable dock location does not establish that every mowing area is suitable. Ask how the model checks reception and responds when positioning becomes insufficient. Identify any supporting sensors explicitly.
Keep the results of any available app diagnostic. If suitability remains unclear, send the manufacturer your plan or request an on-site assessment. Neither the number of trees nor a generic claim of hybrid navigation provides enough evidence by itself.
Plan the dock, shelter and map together
Choose the charging location using the manual before buying a decorative shelter. Navimow i1 support specifically advises against metal in third-party shelters because of GNSS interference. This is guidance for that series, not a universal construction rule.
Create the boundaries, exclusions and connections supported by the mower. Check its first route and return journey, especially between zones. Editing a map may avoid relocating a boundary wire, but it does not remove preparation and setup work.
Separate costs, connectivity and positioning faults
Include installation accessories and necessary services in your budget. Check what is included and for how long. A 4G connection used for theft protection is not automatically the RTK correction service. Likewise, a disconnected app does not by itself diagnose a positioning failure.
When the mower stops, record the exact message, location and ground conditions. Follow the manual’s diagnostic steps before moving the dock or rebuilding every map. Choose between RTK, LiDAR and wire by comparing garden constraints and the installation work you accept, rather than automatically ranking technologies.
Sources and manufacturer documentation
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FAQ
Is a local RTK antenna always required?
No. Some compatible configurations use network corrections. Verify the model, country, coverage and service conditions.
Does RTK replace obstacle detection?
No. Positioning and detection serve different functions. Check the model’s sensors and limitations.
Is RTK always faster to install than a wired mower?
No. Reception, terrain, mounting and mapping determine the work involved. There is no universal installation time.
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