In a market where boundary wires and basic bump sensors still define much of the robotic mowing landscape,Sunseeker’s new X3 Plus model lands with a surprisingly powerful punch. Priced at only $1,599, the X3 Plus offers features such as RTK-GNSS, VSLAM vision mapping, and obstacle-detecting AI, which have typically been reserved for models at a much higher cost.
AONavi™, Sunseeker’s hybrid positioning system that fuses real-time kinematic satellite guidance with visual SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping). This allows the mower to operate without buried wires and maintain consistent accuracy even in tricky environments like tree-covered backyards, where satellite signals are often lost. Combined with app-based zone management, users can set boundaries and schedules in minutes.
Image credit: Sunseekers
What’s more surprising is how much the X3 Plus borrows from its premium siblings. While it’s the entry point in Sunseeker’s X Series, the X3 Plus retains many of the same core technologies. That includes its Vision AI system, which uses binocular cameras to identify over 200 types of objects. Garden tools, hoses, pets, flower beds, etc., no problem. The mower reroutes in real-time, avoiding damage and stress.
Cutting performance is handled by a float cutting deck that adapts to terrain, offering height adjustments between 0.8 and 2.4 inches. It operates quietly at under 60 decibels, returns to its charging dock autonomously, and includes rain detection that halts mowing during wet conditions.
Most competing models still rely solely on GPS or random bump-based routing, and few offer any form of vision recognition. The fact that the X3 Plus brings RTK and camera-based path planning to a sub-$1,600 product suggests Sunseeker is intent on challenging what’s considered “entry-level” in this space.
Image credit: Sunseekers
There are limitations, of course. The X3 Plus lacks the larger mowing area and all-wheel drive of its more expensive siblings, and users still need to manually adjust the cutting height. But with support for voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant, multi-zone scheduling, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the X3 Plus holds its own as a fully capable smart mower.
More than a budget option, the X3 Plus feels like a real turning point in the category. It reflects a broader trend across the smart home world: high-performance features are no longer reserved for high-end users, signaling that robotic lawn care has entered the mainstream.
#RTK #VSLAM #Sunseekers #Spec #Sheet #Surprise
