Discussion about Prohibiting Nighttime Operation for Lawn Mower Robots - Commission tasked to propose directive safeguarding workers from ionising radiation risks.
Hedgehog Safety and Robotic Lawn Mowers: Germany Imposes Nighttime Operating Restrictions
Inresponse to rising concerns over the safety of hedgehogs, several cities in Germany, including Cologne, Mainz, and soon Erfurt, have implemented nighttime operating restrictions for robotic lawn mowers. The implementation of these restrictions follows reports of increased hedgehog injuries and fatalities due to collisions with the machines, especially during nighttime hours.
Hedgehogs, nocturnal creatures, are unable to avoid the robotic mowers, which pose a significant danger when operating with limited visibility and detection capabilities. In Baden-Württemberg, Julia Stubenbord, the state's animal welfare officer, has observed a significant increase in the number of injured hedgehogs coinciding with the rise in the use of robotic lawn mowers.
The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) and the Bund for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) in Baden-Württemberg are advocating for a complete night driving ban for these robotic lawn mowers, similar to measures already in place in some cities. Research conducted by the Leibniz-IZW in 2024 revealed that nearly half of the reported and examined hedgehogs with cut injuries did not survive. Furthermore, there is a high dark figure of undiscovered injured or deceased hedgehogs due to the animals' inclination to retreat into hedges and bushes upon injury.
Aside from the risks posed by robotic lawn mowers, the declining hedgehog population is also a concern. According to the German Wildlife Foundation, suitable habitats are scarce within the modern agricultural landscape and well-maintained gardens. Other factors contributing to the decline of hedgehogs include road accidents and food shortages due to the rapid decline in insects.
In addition to implementing night-time restrictions, there are ongoing research and development efforts focused on making automated lawn mowing safer for hedgehogs. These initiatives include crash tests with specialized hedgehog dummies and the creation of emergency brake assistants intended to detect and avoid hedgehogs.
While specific data on the effectiveness of nighttime restrictions in Baden-Württemberg or other cities is not widely available, the strategy is broadly recognized as an important measure in preventing hedgehog injuries and fatalities. The combination of technological advancements and operational restrictions like nighttime bans is expected to significantly reduce the risks faced by hedgehogs during robotic mower usage.
- Animal Welfare
- Night Driving Ban
- Lawn
- Baden-Württemberg
- Stuttgart
- Environment
- BUND
- Cologne
- Mainz
- Erfurt
- In response to concerns about animal welfare, particularly the safety of hedgehogs, various cities in Germany, including Cologne, Mainz, and soon Erfurt, have initiated a night driving ban for robotic lawn mowers, aiming to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by collisions.
- As home and garden practices evolve with technological advancements, it is crucial to ensure such developments, like robotic lawn mowers in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, do not endanger the environment and the health of creatures such as hedgehogs, which are an integral part of our lifestyle and the surrounding environment.
