Interesting features
The GOAT O1200 RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) is part of Ecovacs' new range of robotic lawnmowers, alongside the smaller O500 "Panorama" model and the larger A1600 RTK. At first glance, the GOAT O1200 RTK inspires confidence. The design is modern and compact, with clean lines, a solid body, and well-thought-out ergonomics.
It is specifically designed for areas up to 1200 m², with a relatively compact chassis (approximately 60 x 40 x 26 cm) and a controlled weight for easy handling (15 kg). Its cutting width is 22 cm, using a deck equipped with three pivoting blades. The cutting height is adjustable between 30 and 80 mm to adapt to different types of lawns. The cutting motor finely “mulches” the grass, which is redeposited on the ground, naturally fertilizing the lawn (mulching principle).
Under the hood, the GOAT O1200 RTK has a 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery, giving it a battery life of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes per cycle. In practice, this allows it to cover up to 180 m² per hour while moving at 0.5 m/s, which is enough to keep a lawn of 1200 m² perfectly mown with regular returns to its base to recharge. A full recharge takes approximately 2 hours, which remains within the upper average for the market. The robot is as quiet as advertised: with a noise level measured around 57-59 dB(A) in operation, it is much more discreet than a thermal mower, even if a slight rolling noise remains perceptible when it moves.
The device is IPX6 certified, which makes it perfectly resistant to rain and water cleaning. This greatly simplifies maintenance, especially since it is a robot intended to stay outside most of the year. It is also equipped with multiple sensors, including a wide-angle front camera and a LiDAR rangefinder, at the heart of its navigation and obstacle detection system. Moreover, rain is no longer an obstacle because a rain sensor is integrated to pause mowing if necessary, but the device itself is not afraid of humidity.
Finally, an anti-theft system is present, a must on this type of expensive product! The GOAT O1200 RTK requires association with your account via the app and has GPS location, making it unusable by a third party in the event of theft, in addition to a possible PIN code or alarm (depending on the settings) to deter any attempt.
Installation simplified by RTK technology
One of the major selling points of this model is the total absence of a perimeter wire. Instead, Ecovacs relies on an RTK mast, to be installed in the garden. This mast, which plugs into the mains, acts as a reference station for the robot's GPS navigation. Thanks to this technology, combined with the onboard sensors, the mower is able to locate itself to the nearest centimeter, even in partially shaded areas.
Installation is quick, especially compared to models requiring a perimeter wire. You need to position the mast in an open area to optimize satellite reception, plug in the charging base in an open space, and then let the mower do an initial exploration of the garden. This initial reconnaissance can be guided via the app (Bluetooth) or left in automatic mode, but the result is far from optimal (don't expect the mower to magically guess every corner the first time without any intervention on your part). In all cases, the map is recorded in a few minutes, and can then be refined by hand. You can define no-go areas, differentiated mowing zones, and adjust the boundaries very easily without ever touching a tool. The process is generally intuitive, but requires a little concentration when first getting started.
Compared to beacon or cable systems, this approach considerably lightens the installation and makes it much cleaner visually. No accessories clutter the garden. The only point of attention remains the location of the RTK mast, which must be well chosen to guarantee good GPS coverage. But once this constraint is taken into account, the rest goes smoothly. However, it is important to specify that the base and also the RTK mast must be permanently connected to the mains (a single socket for both), which means that they should not be placed anywhere!
Smart Navigation and Daily Use
Once the mapping is complete, the mower can begin working. And once again, the “wow” effect is very real. Thanks to RTK positioning, LiDAR, and the camera, the GOAT O1200 RTK moves smoothly, efficiently, and perfectly organized. Unlike conventional robots that move randomly, it mows in parallel strips, just like an experienced gardener would. The result is clean, even, and gives the lawn a beautiful, even appearance. However, it can sometimes miss small areas. Also note that from the app, you can choose which direction the mower will start and therefore optimize its mowing.
The robot is also very responsive to obstacles. Toys, forgotten tools, animals, branches: everything is detected, avoided, or bypassed thanks to real-time analysis by onboard sensors. The AIVI 3D system (AI visual recognition) makes the difference here. Collisions are extremely rare, and safety is enhanced by an immediate stop of the blades in the event of lifting.
This navigation precision is also proven in complex areas. The robot can navigate narrow corridors (up to 70 cm wide), manage slopes of up to 45%, and return to its base without getting lost. Even under trees, where the satellite signal can weaken, positioning remains reliable thanks to the combination of different sensors.
Finally, in addition to its autonomous functions, the GOAT O1200 RTK also has a manual mode, accessible from the Ecovacs Home app. This mode allows you to directly control the mower like a small radio-controlled vehicle, using the directional controls on your smartphone.
This mode is very useful for quickly and targeted mowing in a specific area without starting a full cycle, correcting a one-off oversight, maintaining a small, freshly cleared area, or even easily moving the mower without having to carry it.
It's easy to use: via the mobile interface, simply slide your finger to orient the robot in real time (connected via Bluetooth). The speed is moderate to maintain precise control, and of course, the safety systems remain active (blades stop in the event of lifting or a significant obstacle).
A quality cut?
Over the weeks, the GOAT O1200 RTK has proven that it is not only intelligent, but also efficient. The cut is fine, clean, and regular. The grass is well mulched, which prevents the accumulation of residue on the ground. The frequency of passes helps maintain a constant grass height, with a beautiful visual effect.
The robot is also capable of adjusting its cutting height in several passes if it detects an area where the grass is higher than expected. This progressive behavior makes it possible to manage occasional regrowth without forcing or damaging the motor. On the other hand, like all robots of this type, it is not designed to mow a 30 cm meadow left untended. It excels at regular maintenance, not clearing!
Regarding the edges, the results are more mixed. Thanks to its camera and sensors, the mower manages to get closer than previous models, but there is still a thin line of grass that continues to grow and that you will have to cut with a trimmer, except for areas where the edges are flat (such as between your lawn and a terrace at the same height) because in this case, the mower allows itself to go beyond the boundaries to mow them.
Finally, it should be noted that the mower can pass through areas from 70 cm wide and that it tackles slopes of up to 45%.
A comprehensive mobile application
All robot management is done via the Ecovacs Home application, well-known to users of the brand's robot vacuum cleaners. It allows you to view the garden map, start or schedule mowing, modify zones, change the cutting height, and track the history of operations.
The interface is clear, fluid, and regularly updated. Features such as zone-based mowing, rain detection, and anomaly notification enhance the system's autonomy. The robot can operate completely independently after initial configuration, or be controlled occasionally if necessary.
One of the only criticisms that could be made concerns the limitation to a single memory card. If you want to use the mower on two separate plots of land (in front of and behind a house that isn't connected, or on two properties), you'll have to reconfigure the mapping each time. On the other hand, multi-zone management within the same plot is very well thought out.
Finally, this is also where you access the "security" function. The mower has an alarm if it is lifted, but can also act as a "guard". You can, like with some robot vacuum cleaners, have access to its camera to see what's happening in your garden, and move the mower accordingly. A real little spy!
Maintenance and autonomy
The GOAT O1200 RTK is designed to stay outside all year round. Its IPX6 rating allows for water jet cleaning, which makes it easier to maintain the undercarriage. The blades will need to be changed several times a year depending on the frequency of use, but replacing them is simple and spare parts are easy to find, in addition to those supplied in the box.
The battery life of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes is enough to effectively maintain a surface area of 1200 m² in several passes spread over the week. The robot recharges itself and picks up where it left off, without intervention. The whole thing is therefore very fluid in a continuous mowing cycle. For my 500m² lawn, the mower manages it in one go without any problem.
Price and availability
The Ecovacs GOAT O1200 RTK is already available at a price of 1299 euros. A price that may seem high but not so much compared to others, especially since it can be justified by its performance and the onboard technology.
0 Comments