Bring on the robots!

Significant benefits and technological advancements in robotics now offer a compelling alternative in turfcare maintenance. We investigate further...

The pace of robotic mower development is quickening as major manufacturers introduce machines to fit the price points and capacities of ever more end users. Saltex provided, arguably, the clearest evidence yet that the transition to this mode of green space management is far more than a fad; Toro, Husqvarna, Wessex International, Kress all launching models to satisfy differing scales of turfcare.

Across Europe, uptake of robotic mowers is well advanced compared to the UK, particularly Scandinavia, where Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna introduced its first unit in 1995.

Leading advocates of sustainable green management predict the creation of new specialties to oversee the growing application of robotics within the urban realm – “could we expect cities to appoint chief green officers, autonomous fleet managers and park resilience strategists?” asks the preface of Future Directions of Urban Parks, a pioneering book recently published in the SLU Movium Think Tank series.

“The number of public green spaces is increasing in urban areas across Europe . . . also becoming more complex. Beyond aesthetics, parks are expected to improve ‘a wide array of environmental and social aspects of urban life,’” it notes.

The list is a long one – recreation, health and wellbeing, community development, mitigation of heat, reducing air pollution, providing wildlife habitats and urban connectivity for biodiversity. The workforce caring for green spaces “will need to evolve correspondingly”, it concludes, “but how?”

Kress Mission Mega RTKn mower

Striving to answer that thorny question are thirteen specialists from academia, public and private sectors. Their common conclusion is that green space management relies on amassing quality, detailed data that will allow department and divisional heads to apply informed decision-making to meet the requirements of that list above.

Those specifying robotic mowers point to their rising use in freeing up groundcare and landscaping professionals to escape time-consuming grass cutting duties, allowing them to pursue a more diverse mix of tasks, especially so as sustainable sport and space management (golf particularly) rises up agendas.

Large landscape contractors, such as idverde, Mitie and Nurture, are already well invested in autonomous machinery, under their drive to an electric future and more efficient groundcare of business parks and corporate estates.

Concurrently, training content will witness nothing short of a revolution as professionals upskill in new disciplines with biodiversity and sustainability at their core, Future Directions of Urban Parks predicts.

Under that umbrella falls data collection, undergoing a transformation as satellite and ground-based technologies allow managers to assemble a far more complex snapshot of how sporting and leisure green spaces are evolving....

Sensory and data collection systems fitted to robotic mowers are now part and parcel of increasingly sophisticated workhorses, coming to the aid of grounds, course and landscape managers, which can gather information on surface conditions and underground factors such as soil pH, texture, moisture content and infiltration rate and humus levels.

As such, they can be far more than mere time savers for hard-pressed grounds and landscape teams. In an increasingly connected sector, robotic mowers carry the tech to give operators valuable insight into not only where to apply turf treatments but also, just as importantly, where not to.

Intelligent semi autonomous machinery, such as commercial sprayers, is already reaping big cost savings in treatment liquids. Irrigation systems guided by AI promise similar advances in controlling where and when grounds need water – avoiding wasteful application.

Robotic mowers form part of this data driven network of connected groundcare. No longer reliant on grid guidance for autonomous operation, they carry the means, by radar and vision - to ‘know’ what obstacles to avoid, without human oversight – saving potential damage to the machine and charting a course around barriers such as fallen branches, golf balls, water, humans and animals.

Common across groundcare are the four key challenges of labour shortages, budget constraints, turf quality and sustainable practice. Robotic mowers are progressively tackling each of these as next generation machines appear, featuring stronger cutting motors to tackle denser sward and semi rough areas, more powerful batteries, remote charging capability to cut on-site checks, better performance on sloping terrain and ability to work on steeper inclines and wheel cleaning to reduce grass buildup.

The 10th Living City conference, held in Malmo, Sweden, in October, focused on how AI and data-driven ecosystems will transform green space management, “optimising city environments for health and sustainability”, said presenters Patrik Jagenstedt and Stefan Axelsson of the Husqvarna Group.

Sandbach RUFC made the decision to adopt the cutting-edge technology and officially installed Husqvanra robotics in March 2024.

With AI as “the co-pilot”, they added that “the future . . . will integrate autonomous technologies, creating new roles that require a synergy of advanced skills and environmental stewardship”, under the transition from “calendar-based area management to data-driven maintenance”.

They also expect new roles to emerge to take up the shift in working practices as green space management evolves “from upkeep to opimisation” to support cities’ sustainability targets.

By creating a “digital twin” of a city, decision makers will be able to “analyse and predict” city health to “optimise care, productivity, resilience and biodiversity.”

Such forecasting capability extends to predicting key metrics such as tree health and cooling effects.

Across Europe, the slice of green spaces is predicted to grow, the presenters added, “yet budgets are not expected to grow correspondingly” – a trend calling for “further and faster adaptation of autonomous solutions” that will save still more time cutting grass.

“Multi-level data from green spaces can be translated into task lists for autonomous solutions, freeing up teams from time consuming jobs such as mowing, edge cutting, watering, mulching, reseeding and fertilising – operating 24 hours a day, with minimal downtime for recharging.”

With council budgets in turmoil, management teams are under severe pressure to cut provision across leisure space, particularly parks, for what is a discretionary rather than statutory service.

Could tech ease the plight of this cornerstone of the urban realm? Tobias Emilsson of SLU, believes so. “Future parks and the park management of tomorrow will be smarter and decisions will be supported by new and emerging technologies,” he states.

Park teams will have “profound knowledge of the function, development and requirements of green, blue and hard surfaces,” he adds, “but their decision[1]making will be supported by direct measurements of performance through sensor use, different remote sensing-based tools and artificial intelligence.”

Collected data will guide decisions to improve the experience of parks and green infrastructure to further boost operational efficiency and make better use of scarce resources.

In tomorrow’s “smart park”, technology might help visualise and present data to raise understanding of the potential of green spaces.

Some fear the advent of robotics and accompanying application of AI will sweep away a swathe of human resource on a scale to rank with the death of mining.

Unprecedented change is blowing across groundcare, but the sector should embrace rather than fear the future, the Living City conference concluded. Those who take up the challenges of new tech and AI will be better equipped to tackle the global issues of climate, biodiversity loss and sustainability than those who do not.

But new technologies come with a fresh set of challenges: Tobias Emilsson again: “Advancement of new tools and automation means the type and number of workers in the green sector will change, with less demand for low-skilled workers doing simpler tasks that can be automated.”

Greater use of smart tech and connected sensors also present challenges, he believes. Future sensors will be smaller and require less energy to produce and operate “but the total environmental cost could be large”.

With so much smart tech to hand now, green space managers also have to think smart about how and why they are measuring; and in the leisure realm if it is being used to improve its look and provision to make the public feel better, “or if we are leaving these decisions to smart systems”.

RoviMo autonomous electric mower

Ranking in size with many conventional mowers, the RoviMo autonomous unit was launched by Wessex International at Saltex, following the company’s acquisition of the Italian manufacturer.

Now made in the UK, the fully electric unit is made to deliver “arrow-straight lines without the hassle of stringing guidelines” and operates in compliance with official UEFA regulations while offering various cutting patterns.

Currently trialling at a Premier League club, the RoviMo handles repetitive mowing tasks autonomously, allowing one user to manage multiple units.

Capable of mowing a full-size football pitch in 2.5 hours with its 34in cylinder mower cutting head, developed in partnership with Infinicut, it features high-tech 3D Lidar scanner for autonomous operation in populated areas.

The mower is managed via mobile app to allow users to select mowing patterns, control speed and monitor operations from their device.

Robotic ballpicker

Designed to streamline your operations, Belrobotics BallPicker Robot from AMS, is a groundbreaking innovation that revolutionises the collection of range balls at driving ranges.

This advanced robot ensures precise and accurate collection of your range balls, eliminating the need for manual labour. It helps to standardise the workflow of our automated range ball management solution.

Case Study: Colmworth Golf Club

Colmworth Golf Club have been using autonomous mowers for just over 12 months and have seen significant benefits. Head Greenkeeper Brad Jones tells us more...

When did you start using robotic mowers at the club and what benefit have these had on course management?

We started using robotic mowers in Autumn 2023, initially just on our lawns and wedding venue, but now the fleet has grown to cover the majority of our rough and fairways on the 18-hole course. The robots have freed up greenkeeper hours for other essential works that otherwise they wouldn’t have had time for before.

Do the robotic mowers require a lot of maintenance to keep and run?

Not especially! They require blade changes and checks every now and again but, on the whole, they take care of themselves!

How much have the robotic mowers cost and do you think the price is worth it?

As a small team of four greenkeepers, the robots have been a great investment; reduced fuel, reduced wear on the big machines throughout the year and they have enabled the team to up the standard of the rest of the golf course significantly due to the time they save in cutting.

Do you think there is a world where courses could manage with just robotic mowers, or do we need people on the ground?

We will always need people on the ground. The robotics just enable more efficient management of the simpler tasks.

We love the robots; they provide a much cleaner and more uniform cut than our old mowers, with almost no maintenance needed. The quality of other (usually neglected) areas, have seen massive improvements. Our bunkers - which used to be one of the worst areas of our course - are now being regularly complimented and we have been told that they are some of the best around.

The course is a much more peaceful environment for both us and golfers - without the noise of diesel engines and tight reels constantly in the background.

Case Study: Cranham Golf Club

Cranham Golf Club was the first 18-hole golf course in the UK to be fully managed by robotic mowers. 

Maintaining pristine fairways is an essential aspect of golf course management, contributing significantly to the overall player experience.

There are several reasons why golf courses should consider embracing robotic mowing for managing their golf course, supported by the pristine running at Cranham Golf Club, the UK’s first full 18-hole golf course to utilise robots to manage the fairways and first cut rough.

A significant benefit of using robotic mowing is the increased efficiency and labour optimisation it offers. Robotic mowers are designed to operate continuously, offering the opportunity to increase the number of times the course is cut per week, without the need for extra resources.

Weather constraints can cause disruption to golf course maintenance. Robotic mowers are designed to navigate various terrains and adapt to changing weather conditions. For example, on a wet day, the decision not to cut may be made, as the course may not hold up to the weight of a traditional fairway mower – however, this is not the case for robotic mowing. At just 71kg, the risk of compaction and mud is heavily reduced. This adaptability ensures consistent results, regardless of external factors.

Environmental impacts are a huge worry for many businesses and facilities, but robotic mowers are electric and could save a facility five tonnes of carbon emissions per year. By adopting robotic technology, golf courses can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to environmental sustainability.

On robotic mowers, owner, Barney Cameron said: “We first got the Echo robotic mowers back in May 2023. The greens team love them and they have been highly beneficial to the course and are easy to manage. They require a fifteen minute clean once a day and then a deeper clean once each month which takes about an hour. We also have a ball picker from Echo which saves a lot of time.

In the ever-evolving landscape of golf course management, embracing technological advancements is crucial for staying ahead. Robotic mowing presents a compelling case for its efficiency, precision, cost savings and environmental benefits. By incorporating this innovative technology into golf course mowing maintenance, golf courses can elevate their overall standards, providing a superior experience for both players and course management teams. As the golf industry continues to evolve, the adoption of robotic mowers may well become a standard practice, revolutionising the way we care for and enjoy our beloved golf courses.

ECHO Robotics is one of the world’s leading brands of commercial robotic mowers and ball pickers. Alongside 22 years of automated mowing research and development, ECHO Robotics is built upon a foundation of more than 70 years of manufacturing the highest quality outdoor power equipment.

With robots that can mow up to 75,000m2 and ball pickers with a pick-up capacity of up to 15,000 golf balls per day, ECHO Robotics are revolutionising the economics of course management, whilst releasing greenkeepers to do what they do best. In the case of Cranham Golf Course, this means that the quality of bunkers, hedgerows, and greens have all improved now that the skilled groundsman have the time to maintain them.

Robotic benefits

• Covers large areas in a few hours
• Replaces several small robot mowers
• Much cheaper than a garden tractor
• 10 times lower CO₂ emissions*
• 8 x lower energy costs*
• No noise pollution
• 100% ecological
• Impeccable turf in better condition
• Warning in case of theft or malfunction
• GPS guidance system

Line marking

It’s not just robotic mowers paving the way for new technology... line marking innovations, along with promises to automate your line marking procedure and paint your pitches more efficiently and swiftly are also available. 

The Turf Tank Two was launched at GroundsFest 2024 offering two motor drives for better momentum and new wheels for improved grip and traction.  Robotic line marking technology means you can simply initialise the robot and let it handle the painting for you. As the robot operates, you will not only achieve flawless lines, but you will also gain the time to redirect your focus on other critical tasks around your premises.

• Pop in your paint, select your pitch layout and press start!
• Enhance efficiency & liberate your time for other duties.
• Enhance the overall standard of your facilities.
• Unexpected alterations in your timetable? No issue, with Turf Tank you have the flexibility to establish pitches in mere minutes.