Durability & Maintenance
Designed to live outside, operate autonomously, and last for years.
Key claims
- ASA polymer shell — UV-resistant engineering thermoplastic CLM-DM-003
- Enclosed wheel design — debris excluded, no entanglement CLM-DM-005
- Screwdriver-serviceable — blade, battery, wheels replaceable with standard Phillips CLM-DM-001
- Base station IPX5 — outdoor year-round operation CLM-DM-006
Engineered for Outdoor Life
The Lawn Companion is not a fair-weather device. It is designed to operate outdoors across seasons — rain, heat, UV radiation, and temperature variation. Durability is engineered at the material, structural, and system level.
Two complementary strategies define the approach: resist degradation (material selection) and simplify repair (modular, serviceable design).
Material Selection
ASA Polymer Shell
The outer shell is made from ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) — an engineering thermoplastic selected specifically for outdoor durability:
- UV resistance — retains color and structural integrity after years of sun exposure
- Impact resistance — survives collisions with garden furniture, rocks, and tree roots
- Weather resistance — stable across temperature range, rain, and humidity
Battery: Li-Ion with Thermal Protection
Li-ion battery (5 Ah, 25.9 V) with fully enclosed thermal management and charge inhibition outside safe temperature range. The battery charges on the base station and sessions are managed to preserve long-term cell health.
Enclosed by Design
The Lawn Companion's wheels and blade sit within the hexagonal shell — fully enclosed.
- Enclosed wheels — grass, twigs, and debris cannot reach the drive mechanism
- Protected blade — recessed within the shell, inaccessible from outside
- Sealed electronics — critical components protected from moisture ingress
Screwdriver-Serviceable Design
When components wear, they should be easy to replace. The Lawn Companion is designed for field serviceability — the customer or Volta's service team can replace consumable parts without specialized tools.
Replaceable Components
- Blade assembly — removable with a Phillips screwdriver
- Battery pack — modular, snaps out for replacement
- Wheels — individually replaceable
- Camera module — can be swapped for service or upgrade
The Service Model
Because Volta is a service, the company maintains the robot — not the customer. When a component needs replacement, Volta can service the unit remotely (firmware), on-site (component swap), or by exchanging the entire unit. The modular design makes all of these service paths efficient.
Base Station Durability
The charging base station is rated IPX5 — it can remain outdoors year-round. The robot docks autonomously for charging and undocks when a session is scheduled.
- IPX5 water ingress protection
- UV-stable housing
- Designed for permanent outdoor installation
Scope & Limitations
- Expected lifespan in years is not specified in the KB
- Exact IP rating for the robot itself (vs. base station) is not stated
- Blade replacement interval is not specified
Evidence References
| Claim | Evidence | Tier |
|---|---|---|
CLM-DM-003 | ASA polymer UV stability | Tier 2 — EVD-003 (independently validated) |
CLM-DM-005 | Enclosed wheel debris exclusion | Internal — durability-and-maintenance.md |
CLM-DM-001 | Screwdriver serviceability | Internal — durability-and-maintenance.md |
CLM-DM-006 | IPX5 base station rating | Internal — technical-specifications.md |