Segway Navimow i208 LiDAR Review: Segway Adopts LiDAR, It’s Almost Perfect

Segway had impressed us with its RTK mowing robots, which are highly effective and affordable. But RTK is gradually becoming yesterday’s technology, if the manufacturers’ unrelenting tech war is any guide. So it’s no surprise to find in the Navimow 2026 lineup a model that swaps RTK positioning for a LiDAR plus cameras system. We were eager to see what this Navimow could do.

Navimow robots are produced by the Segway scooter brand, a diversification that has worked so far because its robots routinely top sales.

Unboxing Navimow i208 LiDAR: A Matter of Compromise

Right out of the box, LiDAR robots always feel nice: a base and a single robot, nothing more, which means setup will be incredibly simple. The LiDAR is a front-facing system, not a motorized dome (and somewhat noisy) like some competitors. Another common trait of LiDAR robots is that they tend to be a bit bulky. If you choose the i215, which handles 1500 m², that’s understandable, but here the i208 (for 800 m²) is exactly the same size, far bulkier than the i206 (600 m²): almost 10 cm longer and 5 cm wider. And, speaking of siblings, there is also an i220 for up to 2000 m² surfaces.

Big wheels, a large colored halo that makes it easy to spot trouble at a glance, and a control panel that appears upside down when you face the charging dock: Navimow sticks to its familiar design… In the details, though, a few changes appear: the upper display is now color, which, in our view, is completely unnecessary, especially since it’s a tiny screen that’s not very readable in bright sun. However, a small disappointment when turning the i208 LiDAR over: while the 22 cm-diameter cutting disc with six blades is reassuring, the front wheels are plain jockey wheels. It might seem a bit excessive to be disappointed about that, but knowing that the entry-level Navimow now features a motorized steering/drive wheel, one can’t help but feel a tad let down. One can easily imagine a next generation adding the famous motorized wheel to improve crossing capability.

The charging dock is as plain as can be, the included cable is a comfortable length (about 5 m) with just a flourish: Navimow added a small orange frame to look nice.

Navimow i208 LiDAR Test: Still the Edge-Cutter’s Best Friend

For defining mowing zones, we still recommend spending a few minutes at it rather than trusting the auto mode. On this Navimow, it’s essential, as the auto mode surprisingly didn’t detect much during our tests. Once this is done, you start mowing, and again, oddly, a checkbox labeled “Erase progress and start over from the beginning” appeared before you could start mowing, even though the last mowing finished at 100%. One extra tap before mowing is a regression in usability (like the “store” tab, not very useful day-to-day); Segway will need to do a bit of work if they don’t want to lose their good usability rating!

The settings are varied: three mowing modes (Precision mowing, where the mower moves slowly—handy for damp or soft grass; Standard mowing, fairly quick; and Efficient mowing, where the mower races to finish the job, a bit less polished). The cutting height is adjustable in the app: you can pick 20 to 70 mm in 5 mm steps. This is standard for 2026 models, but motorized height adjustment was still reserved for higher-end robots last year.

Weather controls are extensive: rain, snow, frost, strong wind, or high temperatures, and the mower adapts to each condition. Note that rain detection travels via internet rather than a dedicated sensor, making it less responsive than desired. Night mowing is possible thanks to an integrated LED headlamp, and wildlife avoidance is adjustable (indeed, Segway!).

Mowing is quiet (advertised at 59 dB, virtually inaudible outdoors unless you’re right next to the robot). The LiDAR is frontal and makes no noise, unlike dome scanners that rotate. Safety, as usual with Navimow, is well managed: the robot reliably avoids objects, hoses, and people of any size. It even tries to pass through if the obstacle disappears (keep in mind to remap if a permanent obstacle forms, as we observed some robots attempting to mow into areas beyond reach).

As with most LiDAR mowing robots, edging around hedges shows the same pattern: it won’t venture too close to hedges or cut tall grass. The result is that untreated areas can widen with each pass. In 2026, the edge trimmer remains indispensable as a complement, which is a pity. Unless a future generation changes the game. For now, the edge trimmer remains essential.

Still, the “flat” edges of the lawn are navigated without issue: the i208 doesn’t fuss about mapping, it merely avoids plant obstacles. In short, if your lawn isn’t surrounded by plant beds right at the border, you won’t have problems. But that scenario should be quite rare!

We mentioned it at unboxing, and it’s confirmed: the jockey wheels hinder crossing capability. If you’re a regular reader of our tests, you’ll recall this wasn’t a problem with the i100 range. But this i208 LiDAR is larger and heavier than an i105, almost in the range of the big X315. In these conditions, it slips a bit more on slopes and gets stuck more in uneven areas. The mower is marketed to handle slopes up to 45%, but that will only be true for nicely regular slopes; otherwise, expect a bit less.

Turnaround time for the battery is consistent with Navimow’s usual approach: this line should cover about 300 to 400 m² per charge. If you need multiple charges, plan on roughly two hours for a full recharge, which is reasonable.

Brand/Product: Clubic’s Verdict