The idea of an automated lawn mower is nothing new, but it seems we're getting closer to the day when they become commonplace. Instead of shouting at our kids to mow the lawn, we'll be yelling at them to go program the mower.

The Husqvarna Auto Mower will quietly cut all the grass inside its wired perimeter without a fuss, though it has sensors to make sure it doesn't snip the laces off of your shoes or bump into anything. It comes with a dock which it can return to when it needs a charge, but don't worry, it won't slack — each charge is good for half an acre, depending on the complexity of your lawn. PIN protection will make sure it knows who it works for, and constantly cutting your lawn allows all the small trimmings to act as fertilizer without being unsightly. The mower is said to be on the quiet side and use around $25 of electricity annually, but expect to pay a few thousand dollars for the luxury of ignoring your yard. — Kevin Hall

Husqvarna, via BoingBoing Gadgets