[jabl]

Indeed. Sure, lawns do have their place, like for playing sports or for kids to play around. But otherwise, what a waste. Just plant some local flowers or whatever and have a meadow.

As an example, at some point my father stopped bothering to mow his lawn all the time (basically only once per year). It's now a nice meadow with all kinds of grasses. Frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, bees like it.

An additional issue with robotic mowers is that they tend to kill hedgehogs.

[WillAdams]

That's only an option in areas where the township will allow it.

Big reason to cut the grass is to keep pests away from the house.

That said, I rather consciously arrange deadfall along one steep bank between our house and that of a neighbor so as to encourage/foster lightning bug egg laying/larvae/pupae.