The Yarbo Story: How We Revolutionized Yard Care with Robotics

A Vision for Smarter Yard Care

Maintaining a yard is a year-round responsibility that requires time, effort, and the right tools. From clearing heavy snow in winter to mowing grass in summer and managing fallen leaves in autumn, yard care can be physically demanding and time-consuming.

At Yarbo International Inc., we saw the need to introduce cutting-edge robotics to outdoor yard care and maintenance.

Founded in 2015 by Allen Huang, Yarbo set out to create an autonomous, all-in-one yard maintenance system—one that eliminates the need for multiple machines and gives homeowners more freedom from long

What started as a snow-clearing robot concept has evolved into a modular smart yard-care system capable of mowing, leaf blowing, and snow removal, all in one platform.

Today, Yarbo stands at the forefront of the consumer robotics industry, continuously pushing boundaries to simplify outdoor maintenance through automation and robotics.

The Founding Story: A Vision Born from Harsh Winters

In many parts of North America, winter brings heavy snowfall, creating a recurring challenge for homeowners—clearing snow form driveways, sidewalks, and yards.

Shoveling snow is not only exhausting but can also be dangerous, leading to injuries and health risks, especially for older individuals.

Recognizing this problem, Allen Huang, a robotics engineer with a passion for automation, envisioned a machine that could handle snow removal independently. With this goal in mind, he founded Yarbo in 2015 and began researching autonomous robotics solutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, the journey was far from easy. Developing the first-ever multifunctional snow-clearing robot meant starting from scratch—with no existing market, no supply chain, and no clear path to success. The Yarbo team faced several early challenges:

• Financial Struggles – The company had no immediate revenue as it focused entirely on research and development.
• Technical Barriers – Creating an AI-powered, autonomous outdoor robot required overcoming complex engineering problems.
• Harsh Testing Conditions – The team tested prototypes in extreme cold, often working in temperatures as low as -30°C to refine performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite these difficulties, the team remained committed. Over six years, Yarbo developed and tested six generations of prototypes, constantly improving performance, navigation, and durability.

2021: The Breakthrough – Introducing Snowbot S1

After years of research and testing, a bold decision was made to overhaul our technical approach and redesign our product from the ground up to truly meet user needs.

That’s when Yarbo introduced Snowbot S1 in 2021, marking a significant milestone in the industry. Snowbot S1 was the world’s first autonomous residential snow blower, designed specifically for home use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as Thomas Edison says "The value of an idea lies in the use of it".

The Snowbot S1 filled a gap in the market, was an incredibly innovative and modern solution to a very common home owner problem around the world, it quickly gained recognition.

Key Features of Snowbot S1:

• AI-driven Navigation – Enabled the robot to detect and clear snow efficiently.
• Tank-like Treads – Allowed it to move seamlessly over icy and uneven terrain.
• Two-Stage Snow Blower – Handled snow depths of up to 12 inches (30 cm) with precision.
• Smart Obstacle Avoidance – Ensured safety by detecting objects in its path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snowbot S1 filled a crucial gap in the market, earning recognition for its innovative approach to home snow removal. However, the Yarbo team saw an even greater opportunity—why stop at snow removal when they could create an all-in-one yard care solution?

2022: The Birth of Yarbo – A Fully Modular Yard Robot

Building on the success of Snowbot, Yarbo underwent a major transformation in 2022. Instead of focusing solely on winter maintenance, the company rebranded and introduced a revolutionary concept: a modular smart yard robot that could handle outdoor maintenance in every season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new Yarbo system featured:

• Interchangeable Modules – One robotic platform that could switch between a snow blower, lawn mower, and leaf blower.
• Smart AI Technology – Advanced sensors and GPS navigation for precise operation.
• Wireless Connectivity – Remote control and scheduling via a smartphone app.
• Effortless Operation – Fully autonomous, reducing manual labor for homeowners.

A Record-Breaking Kickstarter Campaign

To bring this vision to life, Yarbo launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in September 2022. The response was overwhelming—the campaign raised $3.45 million, making it the highest-funded consumer robotics project on Kickstarter at the time.

This success validated the demand for an all-in-one robotic yard maintenance solution, proving that homeowners were eager to invest in smart technology to simplify outdoor chores.

2023: Expansion, Funding, and Global Recognition

Following the success of Kickstarter, Yarbo continued to gain momentum. In early 2023, Yarbo secured over $14.5 million in pre-Series A funding, accelerating production and expansion into new markets.

At CES 2023, Yarbo made its industry debut, winning a CES Innovation Award in the Smart Home/Robotics category. By mid-2023, the company began fulfilling pre-orders, shipping the first units to customers worldwide.

To ensure Yarbo’s reliability, the team spent over five months testing the robot in real-world conditions across North America, making critical improvements based on beta user feedback.

2024: Achievements and Innovation at the Next Level

Building on its previous success, Yarbo received multiple iF Design Awards in 2024, recognizing its exceptional engineering and design. That year, the company unveiled:

• Yarbo Snow Blower S1 Plus – A more powerful module capable of handling 16-inch snow drifts.
• A New Yarbo Core – Offering different configurations for advanced and basic models to cater to various user needs.

As part of its global expansion, Yarbo entered the European market and showcased its products at major trade events like Equip Exposition and spoga+gafa.

2025 & Beyond: Expanding Capabilities and the Future of Yarbo

At CES 2025, Yarbo once again captured industry attention, earning a "Best in Show" award from The Ambient. As the company looks to the future, it is focusing on:

• Security Monitoring Modules – Using AI for yard security and surveillance.

• Smart Gardening Features – Introducing irrigation and plant care functionalities.
• Further AI Enhancements – Improving the robot’s adaptability and customization options.

Yarbo is committed to continuous innovation, ensuring that its products not only maintain yards but also enhance outdoor living experiences.

Overcoming Challenges: The Road to Success

As they say "The road to success is not a straight", developing the world’s first modular yard robot came with immense challenges. Yarbo had to:

• Build an Entirely New Market – No precedent existed for such a product.
• Establish its Own Factory – Ensuring full control over production quality.
• Test in Extreme Conditions – Working in harsh climates to perfect reliability.
• Iterate Constantly – Using real-world feedback to refine and improve the system.

Despite these obstacles, Yarbo has become a leader in outdoor automation, offering homeowners a revolutionary way to maintain their yards effortlessly.

Conclusion: A Future Built on Innovation

Yarbo’s journey—from an ambitious idea in 2015 to a pioneering force in robotics today—is a testament to innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to solving real-world problems.

With a growing community of users and continuous advancements in AI and automation, Yarbo is not just a product—it’s a movement toward a smarter, easier, and more enjoyable way to care for outdoor spaces.