Automower Connect

[Michael Ford]

I'm sorry that this is in English but this is the only forum that has any information regarding the Automower.

I purchased the AM315 late last year and so far I'm very impressed. I've been seeking as much information as I can from the internet and found that the "Automower Connect" module is now available for all the current models from the AM105, AM315 and AM320. The main reason I was interested in adding the connect modul to my AM315 was for security and the tracking ability if it was stolen and being able to make adjustments from my iPhone.

When looking into the "connect" module a little further I found it included a SIM card (that will operate for 2 years) for communication which I believe operates on the 2G network. In Australia where I live, there is only one network still providing 2G coverage and that will be closed down in September 2017.

While "Automower Connect" seem like a worthwhile proposition it doesn't look like it will be of any use after the 2G network closes. I believe a new module will have to be fitted (at extra expense) that has the capability of operating using the 3G or 4G network.

I may have this all wrong, but if it is the case this would make all communication with the top of the range models fitted with the "Connect" modules obsolete as well.

I am looking forward to finding out more on this subject.

Regards, Michael

J'ai acheté l'AM315 fin de l'année dernière et jusqu'à présent, je suis très impressionné. J'ai cherché autant d'informations que je peux à partir d'Internet et j'ai constaté que le module "Automower Connect" est maintenant disponible pour tous les modèles actuels de l'AM105, AM315 et AM320. La principale raison pour laquelle j'étais intéressé à ajouter le module de connexion à mon AM315 était pour la sécurité et la capacité de suivi si elle a été volée et être capable de faire des ajustements de mon iPhone.

En regardant dans le module "connecter" un peu plus loin, j'ai trouvé une carte SIM (qui fonctionnera pendant 2 ans) pour la communication qui, je crois, fonctionne sur le réseau 2G. En Australie, où je vis, il n'y a qu'un seul réseau qui offre encore une couverture 2G et qui sera fermé en septembre 2017.

Alors que "Automower Connect" semblent une proposition intéressante, il ne semble pas qu'il sera d'une quelconque utilité après la fermeture du réseau 2G. Je crois qu'un nouveau module devra être équipé (à frais supplémentaires) qui a la capacité de fonctionner en utilisant le réseau 3G ou 4G.

Je pourrais avoir tout cela faux, mais si c'est le cas, cela rendrait toute communication avec le haut de la gamme des modèles équipés de la "Connect" modules obsolètes ainsi.

Je suis impatient d'en savoir plus sur ce sujet.

Cordialement, Michael

Modifié le 12 mars 2017 par Michael Ford
Translation added

[Fred]

Hello Michael,

I'll do my best for your reply.

Automower Connect only work with data. So if you 'll lost your 2G coverage, it will be very bad. I can't imagine you will not have the 2G. In Europe, there's is 5G in few months.

Without internet connection Automower Connect is useless and it's the only way to secure your Automower.

If you have 3G or 4G it will work correctly with your automower and there's no more charge for it.

[Michael Ford]

On 11/03/2017 at 9:46 PM, Fred said:

Hello Michael,

I'll do my best for your reply.

Automower Connect only work with data. So if you 'll lost your 2G coverage, it will be very bad. I can't imagine you will not have the 2G. In Europe, there's is 5G in few months.

Without internet connection Automower Connect is useless and it's the only way to secure your Automower.

If you have 3G or 4G it will work correctly with your automower and there's no more charge for it.

Hello Fred, thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.

The only networks that will be available after September 2017 will be 3G and 4G, 5G is coming but maybe not until next year. The analog network 2G will cease in September.

I contacted Husqvarna Australia Tech Department who didn't seem to know very much at all. They said they had contacted Husqvarna in Sweden and they confirmed that Automower Connect would only work using 2G and that a new module was required for 3G and above but that wouldn't be available until 2018.

If 2G is phased out throughout the rest of the world, that would make all the current "Connect Modules" obsolete.

Michael

Bonjour Fred, merci de prendre le temps de répondre à mon post.

Les seuls réseaux qui seront disponibles après Septembre 2017 sera 3G et 4G, 5G est à venir, mais peut-être pas jusqu'à l'année prochaine. Le réseau analogique 2G cessera en septembre.

J'ai contacté Husqvarna Australie Tech Département qui ne semblent pas savoir beaucoup du tout. Ils ont dit qu'ils avaient contacté Husqvarna en Suède et ils ont confirmé que Automower Connect fonctionnerait seulement en utilisant 2G et qu'un nouveau module était nécessaire pour 3G et au-dessus mais qui ne serait disponible qu'en 2018.

Si 2G est progressivement éliminé dans le reste du monde, cela rendrait tous les "modules de connexion" actuels obsolètes.

Michael

Modifié le 12 mars 2017 par Michael Ford
Translation added

[Michael Ford]

On 11/03/2017 at 9:46 PM, Fred said:

Hello Michael,

I'll do my best for your reply.

Automower Connect only work with data. So if you 'll lost your 2G coverage, it will be very bad. I can't imagine you will not have the 2G. In Europe, there's is 5G in few months.

Without internet connection Automower Connect is useless and it's the only way to secure your Automower.

If you have 3G or 4G it will work correctly with your automower and there's no more charge for it.

Fred, I'm a little confused.

You say that if we have lost 2G coverage Automower Connect 'will not' work.

You also say that if we have 3G or 4G (which we have) it 'will work'.

Also could you confirm that it is a 'Data' sim and not a 'phone' sim.

Thank you once again, I appreciate your input.

Michael

Fred, je suis un peu confus.

Vous dites que si nous avons perdu la couverture 2G, Automower Connect 'ne fonctionnera pas.

Vous dites aussi que si nous avons 3G ou 4G (ce que nous avons), cela fonctionnera.

Aussi, pourriez-vous confirmer qu'il s'agit d'un sim de données et non pas d'un téléphone.

Merci encore une fois, je vous remercie de votre contribution.

Michael

Modifié le 12 mars 2017 par Michael Ford
Translation added

[Fred]

I understood that Automower Connect need data only.

I said that if you did not have the 2G, i could not understand that you will have the 3G or 4G. I understood your coverage was impossible.

For my installation i don't know if my automower connect work with 2G, 3G or 4G. I only can view that it works.

You can read this. It says the Automower Connect work with 2Years Data included

 

[Michael Ford]

Thank you Fred,

I had read that article before and that's what raised my concerns about the future compatibility of the "Connect" module with 3G and above.

When I raised my concerns with my local Husqvarna agent he wasn't aware so he contacted Husqvarna Australia and the answer I received was even more confusing.

I find it hard to believe that Husqvarna would release something that will be obsolete in such a very short time. I assume that the 2G GPRS network will closedown worldwide at some stage and all phones and data will be 3G and above, more likely 4G and above.

Michael

[Ttitilorenzo]

Hi !

I've not yet my automower at home but I'm posting this message to remind me a little of English that I haven't been speaking for ages. 

As for Automower Connect, I didn't see which network it uses but it could be husqvarna dedicated network. We just have to put a sim card from our national provider and see if it can work. If it doesn't, maybe it is Husqvarna network.

But also, the specifications of the mower could be different by country because of your local network coverage. As you said, in Australia, you will be soon in 3G but in Europe, we are soon in 5G. I mean that husqvarna could consider the technology used in wireless networking by country.

Or, ask a communication network specialist to see if the above protocol take charge of previous protocol. Certainly, because when my smartphone don't have much 4G or 3G, it toggles to gprs by itself.

Ps: sorry for miswritting 

 

[Michael Ford]

1 hour ago, Ttitilorenzo said:

Hi !

I've not yet my automower at home but I'm posting this message to remind me a little of English that I haven't been speaking for ages. 

As for Automower Connect, I didn't see which network it uses but it could be husqvarna dedicated network. We just have to put a sim card from our national provider and see if it can work. If it doesn't, maybe it is Husqvarna network.

But also, the specifications of the mower could be different by country because of your local network coverage. As you said, in Australia, you will be soon in 3G but in Europe, we are soon in 5G. I mean that husqvarna could consider the technology used in wireless networking by country.

Or, ask a communication network specialist to see if the above protocol take charge of previous protocol. Certainly, because when my smartphone don't have much 4G or 3G, it toggles to gprs by itself.

Ps: sorry for miswritting 

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

It looks like I have caused a little confusion. Australia has had 3G and 4G for years and will also include 5G soon. GPRS and 2G was the original system that's been around for years and has now been shut down because the newer systems are much superior.

What I am trying to ascertain is in fact of whether the existing "Automower Connect" will work without the 2G, GPRS network.

If there is somebody in Europe that could ask the question to Husqvarna or has the knowledge to say yes it will, or definitely no it won't I would be very grateful. 

In Australia I have not been able to obtain a definitive answer.

Michael

[Ttitilorenzo]

Ok, I understand a little more now. 

As I said, I think the above protocol take charge the previous protocol; so Automower Connect could work. But how are you sure they will end the 2G network ?

Maybe, we can ask our local customer or Husqvarna to reply their answer here.

[Michael Ford]

1 hour ago, Ttitilorenzo said:

But how are you sure they will end the 2G network ?

There were announcements early in 2016 that it would be closing at the end of 2016 and that anybody still using a 2G phone would have to upgrade because 2G phones would no longer work with 3G or 4G. Vodafone are the only network with 2G and that will close in September this year.

It would be great if somebody from Husqvarna or local could add some more information.

Thanks for the reply.

[Fred]

I sent messages to Husqvarna Belgium and Husqvarna France. 

[Michael Ford]

31 minutes ago, Fred said:

I sent messages to Husqvarna Belgium and Husqvarna France. 

Thank you Fred, very much appreciated. Looking forward to hear what they have to say.

[Ttitilorenzo]

I'm just coming back from work and I wanted to sent the message to husqvarna but, I do not have to do it 

[Fred]

Here's the reply :

Hello,
the Automower Connect works with 2G.
Best Regards
Husqvarna webcare

[Michael Ford]

Just now, Fred said:

Here's the reply :

Hello,
the Automower Connect works with 2G.
Best Regards
Husqvarna webcare

Thanks Fred,

That was short and to the point.

How much longer will 2G be available in Europe? It must be of concern to existing "Automower Connect" users.

[Fred]

We didn't not receive in Belgium a notification of the end of 2G. 

[Ttitilorenzo]

Still a matter of solved

[Fred]

Hello, Just to know if everything is ok for you with Debbie 

[Michael Ford]

Who is Debbie?

[Fred]

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/28/asia/cyclone-debbie-australia/

[Michael Ford]

Sorry Fred I wasn't thinking of the cyclone.

Fortunately for us (but unfortunate for the people in the north), we live down south so we don't have to suffer from cyclones. Our biggest problems here are high temperatures and bush fires associated with low rainfall. 

There is now very severe flooding along the east coast south of the area where Debbie hit.