Abstract: A lawnmower is instructed to move from a reference point along the boundary wire and to follow the boundary wire along a boundary path back to the reference point, using data from at least one wire sensor of the lawnmower. One or more elements are determined along the boundary path using distance data from at least one distance sensor of the lawnmower and using angular velocity data from at least one direction sensor of the lawnmower. The one or more elements are identified as one of at least three different types of elements. The mowing area is calculated from the identified types of the one or more elements and the distance data and angular velocity data received for the one or more elements. Other important features are obtained from the calculation of the mowing area including, but not limited to, multiple starting points and a parallel mowing pattern.