A viral video shows a $5,000 robot effortlessly clearing snow during a winter storm. We dive into how the Yarbo autonomous snow blower works, its limits, and why it has millions rethinking the worst chore of winter.
If you go the the manufacturers website it mentions several safety systems; radar, camera and a physical bumper and grate to keep things from getting into the machine
Translation: Does not function without active internet connection. Reports telemetry (including photos and video) of your personal property which is then sold and used for “marketing” surveilance purposes. Records when not in use/charging. If not already, volunteers all data to FLOCK
it mentions several safety systems; radar, camera and a physical bumper and grate to keep things from getting into the machine
There were 1,429 Waymo accidents reported to the NHTSA between July 2021 and November 2025. Injuries and Fatalities: There have been 117 injuries and 2 fatalities reported in relation to these accidents.
There are not really any similarities to the environment and use case of autonomous cars driving in open public roads, at high speeds, in a several thousand pound heavy vehicle, with thousands of other people acting in random unpredictable ways, and a 50 pound snow blower driving at walking pace in your own private closed driveway with basically no one in the area of operation.
There’s like a 1" gap in the grate and at least 3-4" from there to any moving parts. Yes, a toddler can stick their arms in there, but if that happens it will be predominantly due to horrible parenting.
It obviously isn’t 100% hazard free, it’s a motorized power tool after all, but it does seem to have proper mitigations in place to reduce risk of injury to a reasonable level.
The camera is heated so that should not be the biggest problem. I don’t think they have the software to make it work.
I have not had obstacle detection work on the other modules aside from a person being nearby being detected. With that feature you will not see it working from close by, but it will destroy children’s toys, drive over poop, destroy its own antennas by driving under tables, drive against tractors, …
It could be capable one day but not with this software (team).
If you go the the manufacturers website it mentions several safety systems; radar, camera and a physical bumper and grate to keep things from getting into the machine
Translation: Does not function without active internet connection. Reports telemetry (including photos and video) of your personal property which is then sold and used for “marketing” surveilance purposes. Records when not in use/charging. If not already, volunteers all data to FLOCK
There were 1,429 Waymo accidents reported to the NHTSA between July 2021 and November 2025. Injuries and Fatalities: There have been 117 injuries and 2 fatalities reported in relation to these accidents.
There are not really any similarities to the environment and use case of autonomous cars driving in open public roads, at high speeds, in a several thousand pound heavy vehicle, with thousands of other people acting in random unpredictable ways, and a 50 pound snow blower driving at walking pace in your own private closed driveway with basically no one in the area of operation.
Radar & camera can be degraded by snow/ice buildup. A grate that lets wet snow in is also going to be big enough to let rocks and other debris in.
But not kids and pets at leaat
Arms and legs allowed in are still really bad. You can’t run fast in snow, and you are more likely to trip.
There’s like a 1" gap in the grate and at least 3-4" from there to any moving parts. Yes, a toddler can stick their arms in there, but if that happens it will be predominantly due to horrible parenting.
It obviously isn’t 100% hazard free, it’s a motorized power tool after all, but it does seem to have proper mitigations in place to reduce risk of injury to a reasonable level.
Not allowing it to operate autonomously with zero supervision should be a requirement. Anything less is not reasonable mitigation.
Get your fat fuck kids out with a shovel and clear the driveway.
The camera is heated so that should not be the biggest problem. I don’t think they have the software to make it work.
I have not had obstacle detection work on the other modules aside from a person being nearby being detected. With that feature you will not see it working from close by, but it will destroy children’s toys, drive over poop, destroy its own antennas by driving under tables, drive against tractors, …
It could be capable one day but not with this software (team).
That’s good to hear at least!