The sound of gas-powered lawnmowers is becoming less common on some Long Island lawns, as electric robotic mowers take their place. These mowers were developed by Kevin Boodram, a former law student who started Serenity Robotic Lawncare in response to the noise that disrupted his studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company now serves around 70 customers who opt for this quieter method of lawn maintenance.
Boodram founded the company with the goal of reducing the noise that made focusing challenging, leading to an unexpected transition from law school to landscaping. “Unbearable, that’s the only word to really describe it. I couldn’t hear myself think,” Boodram told CBS News New York. His battery-operated bots use sensors to navigate the greensward, capable of mowing continuously, even at odd hours like 3 a.m., without disturbing the neighbors with their near-silence.
In addition to addressing noise, Serenity’s robots also have an environmental focus. Dr. Bonnie Sager of Huntington Cleaner Alternative Landscaping Methods highlighted the health effects of noise, comparing it to the impact of secondhand smoke, as reported by CBS News New York. Municipalities are increasingly considering incentives to encourage the use of electric landscaping methods as part of a broader movement toward cleaner and quieter alternatives.
Beyond addressing noise pollution, the technology in these robotic mowers includes theft-deterrent features, such as alarms and GPS tracking. On days without rain, the mowers use precipitation sensors to prevent the blades from operating, an effective adaptation noted by the lawns they maintain. Reporting on this tech-lean approach, FOX 5 NY’s Jodi Goldberg found that despite a roughly 20 percent price hike over traditional lawn services, customers remained largely satisfied, citing the reduction in both noise and pollution.
The conversation about gas-powered lawn equipment and its alternatives is set to continue at the state capital in Albany, as advocacy groups push for New York to offer incentives for quieter neighborhood maintenance.
