Home Robotics ServicesThis glossary explains, in plain language, the terms used across this site and by installers and repair shops. Where a guide covers a term in more depth, the entry links to it.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Robotic mowers
- Boundary wire
- A low-voltage wire laid around the edge of the lawn and around anything the mower must stay out of. The charging station sends a signal through it, and the mower turns back when it senses the wire. Also called perimeter wire. See how robotic mower installation works.
- Guide wire
- A second wire that runs from the charging station out into the lawn. The mower follows it to find its way back to the station and to reach distant or narrow parts of the yard. Not every wired mower uses one.
- Island
- A loop of boundary wire around an obstacle inside the lawn, such as a flower bed or a pond, so that the mower steers around it.
- Charging station
- The base where the mower parks and recharges. On a wired mower it also powers the signal in the boundary wire. It needs an outdoor power outlet. Also called a dock or base station.
- Pegging and burying
- The two ways of laying wire. Pegged wire is pinned to the surface with stakes, and the grass grows over it. Buried wire is set in a shallow slot, cut by hand or with a cable-laying machine, where it is better protected from damage at the surface.
- Base fee and per-foot rate
- One way of pricing a wired installation: a fixed charge for the visit, plus a charge for each foot of boundary wire laid. The installation cost calculator estimates a fee this way, and the installation cost guide lists published prices.
- Loop signal
- The signal the charging station sends through the boundary wire. A mower that reports no loop signal usually has a broken or disconnected wire. See the robotic mower repair guide.
- Wire break
- A cut or corroded point in the boundary wire that stops the loop signal. Digging, edging, and aerating are common causes. Finding the break often takes longer than fixing it.
- Coupler
- A small waterproof connector that joins two ends of wire, used to repair a break or extend a loop. Also called a splice connector.
- Wire-free mower
- A mower that finds the edge of the lawn without boundary wire, using satellite positioning, cameras, or both. Setup means mapping the lawn instead of laying wire.
- RTK
- Real-time kinematic positioning. It corrects satellite positioning signals so that the mower can place itself to within a few centimeters. It needs correction data from a fixed reference point.
- Reference station
- A small fixed antenna that many RTK mowers need. It is mounted where it has a clear view of the sky and supplies the correction signal. Also called an RTK antenna or base.
- Network RTK
- Correction data delivered over the internet from a network of stations, instead of from an antenna on your own property. It needs a data connection and, with some brands, a subscription.
- Mapping
- Teaching a wire-free mower where the lawn is, usually by steering it around the edge with a phone app. The boundary, the areas to avoid, and the paths between lawns are stored as a virtual map.
- No-go zone
- An area inside the map that the mower is told to stay out of. It does the same job for a wire-free mower that an island does for a wired one.
- Blade disc
- The spinning plate under the mower that, on most models, carries small pivoting blades. The blades are a wear part and are changed regularly. See the maintenance guide.
Robot vacuums
- Consumables
- Parts the owner is expected to replace as they wear out: filters, brushes, side brushes, mop pads, and dust bags. Warranties usually exclude them. See the robot vacuum repair guide.
- Self-emptying dock
- A charging dock that also empties the robot’s dustbin into a bag. On some models it washes the mop pads and refills the water tank as well.
- Out-of-warranty repair
- A repair you pay for yourself, because the warranty has ended or does not cover the fault. Compare the quote with the price of a replacement robot before agreeing to it.
- Mail-in repair
- A service where you ship the robot to a repair shop and it is shipped back when the work is done. It is a common arrangement for robot vacuums and pool cleaners. Ask who pays for shipping in each direction.
Robotic pool cleaners
- Motor unit
- The sealed block inside the cleaner that holds its drive and pump motors. Because it is sealed against water, it is normally replaced as one part. See the robotic pool cleaner repair guide.
- Swivel cable
- A floating power cable with a rotating joint that lets the cable untwist as the cleaner turns, which reduces tangling.
- Power supply
- The box that plugs into a household outlet and sends low-voltage power down the cable to the cleaner. It stays out of the water. On some models it also holds the controls.
Service and warranty terms
- Home robotics services
- The professional work that surrounds a home robot after it is bought: installation and setup, mapping, routine maintenance, and repair.
- Limited warranty
- The manufacturer’s promise to fix defects in materials and workmanship for a set period. “Limited” means the warranty lists what it leaves out, which normally includes wear, accidental damage, and consumables.
- Wear parts
- Parts that are expected to wear out in normal use, such as blades, brushes, filters, and tracks. A warranty normally covers a wear part only if it was faulty, not because it has worn out.
- A business the manufacturer has approved to carry out warranty repairs. An independent shop can do paid repairs but usually cannot do warranty work. See who repairs home robots.
- Service plan
- A paid package of scheduled maintenance. Check what the plan includes, because repairs are often quoted separately. See the service price index.
- Seasonal service
- A once-a-year check of a robotic mower, usually at the end of the mowing season. It typically covers cleaning, new blades, and a check of the battery and software. Some dealers also store the mower over winter.
- Bench fee
- A charge for inspecting and diagnosing a robot at the shop. Some shops charge it only if you turn down the repair. Also called a diagnostic fee.
- Firmware update
- New software for the robot itself. Most robots install it through their app, and a dealer can install it on a robot that is not connected.
- Humanoid robot
- A general-purpose robot with a body shaped broadly like a person’s, with arms and hands for handling everyday objects. Home models are a new product category.
Home Robotics Services is an independent reference site. It is not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer, or installer.