Tessa Burkhardt, Safety & upkeep editor

I look after the questions people ask once the excitement of a new robot wears off. Is it safe with the dog in the yard? Which blades fit? Does it need a garage, and will that one fit over the dock?

Safety is where I'm strictest. A listing may say a mower "detects obstacles". I want to know what the manual says about lift, tilt and stop sensors, and whether it tells you to keep children and pets off the lawn while it mows. It nearly always does, so our guides say that plainly and don't promise more than the maker does.

For upkeep I work from part numbers. Blades, discs, wire kits, antenna mounts and garages get matched to the exact model and generation, and I read the warranty for what it says about batteries, wear parts and winter storage. Owner reviews help here too. People are quick to report a blade that came loose or a garage that blocks the docking path.

I write the safety, blade and accessory guides. I'll take an honest blank over a guessed number every time.