A move to autonomous mowing need not be a stressful exercise. Taking autonomous mowing from inspiration to operation can be rewarding.
This is a familiar scenario: a commercial landscape maintenance operation identifies autonomous mowers as valuable to its operation, and asks, “How do we get started integrating autonomous mowing into our business?”
Typically, the interest in autonomous or driverless mowing is inspired by an ongoing labour shortage. There’s a lack of workers to complete the existing workload, juggling staff between jobs to meet deadlines, and difficulties with current staff members that are unreliable and less than motivated.
The people in operations have had a glimpse of the future and want to be an industry leader in this technology and stand out as taking autonomous mowing on. They also hope to get ahead of competition that may or may not be evaluating autonomous mowers. Landscape businesses inquiring about autonomy are looking to grow revenue beyond the current capacity, break the revenue plateau, and be able to take on more work with fewer people, scaling the business.
Ultimately, they want to be a landscape operation that is less reliant on erratic human labour and more reliant on consistent machine labour. The goal is not to replace people, but to augment the strong workforce they have with technology that benefits both individual workers and the business.
Two main types
Autonomous mowers fall into two groups. Installed autonomous mowers are put in place and that’s where they live, mowing the same ground again. In the case of older installs, the machines are contained and controlled via ground wires. This would be equivalent to a grass-cutting ‘Roomba’.
Newer versions of installed autonomy are controlled by GPS or RTK, mowing in a stripe pattern. An installed mower is often scheduled to mow every day or every other day, and it returns to its charging station when the job is complete.
Integrated autonomous mowers are included within a commercial landscape mowing operation alongside other petrol and electric mowers. In this system a trained, dedicated operator mows the defined boundaries in nearly any configuration that allows 10 to 15-foot safety zones around obstacles. In general, these autonomous mowers can cope with between one and three acres per hour depending on conditions.
For anyone thinking of taking autonomous mowing on, RC Mowers’ integrated autonomous mowers (Autonomous Mowing Robots™) appear much like any standard zero-turn mower.
Understanding commercial autonomous mowing
Generally, autonomous mowers in today’s market are capable of striped, unobstructed, open-area mowing. Most can navigate in and around obstructions, leaving a safety buffer around obstacles, which is then mowed manually (either before, during, or after the autonomous unit is clear of the area). In most cases, the operator teaches the mower its boundaries and then the plan is set – teach once, cut again.
While autonomous mowing is underway, the operator remains within sight of the mowers as they complete detailed handwork. The operator always carries a remote emergency device to immediately stop all mowers.
Take time to evaluate
Instead of focusing on the product itself, potential buyers should first consider evaluating the systems, or support mechanisms, provided by autonomous-mowing suppliers. Responsive support is critical with emerging technology. Then consider a demonstration to evaluate the autonomous mowers’ safety, ease-of-use, reliability, and productivity. Focusing on the autonomous infrastructure around the product sets an operation up for success.
As you zero in on certain suppliers, make sure there’s a strong case for their product as it pertains to your portfolio of work, or projected work. A confident, full-support partner will team with you to make that determination. Look for services, materials, and one-on-one support that helps successfully integrate autonomous mowers into your operation.
Speaking of operation, how will taking autonomous mowers be supported from an operational perspective? A dedicated supplier will partner with you as you move from, “Maybe autonomy…” to “We are autonomous” – all aspects will be covered and all questions answered.
Commitment
While leaders in an organisation must be committed to the vision of autonomy, most critical are the middle managers and operators who will own the autonomous mowing operation.
The middle manager who oversees the operation may not be out in the field with the machines daily, but should have familiarity with the autonomous mowers, the route, the operators, the properties, and the customers. Operator selection is equally crucial. The best operators are trustworthy, willing to be flexible and adapt new workflows, open to new tech, and want the autonomous mowers to succeed. Resistance to change at the operator level will almost certainly ensure operation failure.
All autonomous mowing operations are different
The benchmarks for autonomous mowers are properties like schools, sporting fields, parks, defence-force bases, and large commercial or industrial sites.
At this stage of the technology, large commercial autonomous mowers can efficiently work large, generally open mowing sites. They can be applied in more obstructed areas, but the production expectations should decrease as the mowers navigate in and around obstacles.
The best sites allow the operator to place multiple mowers into autonomy while they are doing other work, like string-trimming or blowing. In terms of volume, one large, autonomous mower should be capable of 20 to 30 acres of autonomous mowing per week (in general). The mowers can perform far beyond that, but that is a standard measurement to apply to autonomous potential.
Get specific with product questions
• What is the cost? Are there ongoing costs?
• What will be my ROI?
• How will my robots be supported from a mechanical perspective?
• Who do I turn to if there is a problem?
• Is the software company separate from the mower manufacturer?
• How long is the autonomous mower expected to last?
• What is the warranty?
The competitive advantage is real
Colbrook Industries has partnered with RC Mowers and will address all your questions and concerns honestly and accurately.
RC Mowers is an innovator in the technology and a champion of its customers’ pathway to success. The RC Mowers Success System™ is an integrated system built on a customer-first commitment, a proactive mindset, and a dedication to your business success.
RC Mowers’ proprietary Success System takes the form of pre-delivery planning and implementation guidance; on-site training and certification; ongoing data analysis and sharing; ready-made tools for communicating with staff, customers, and community; worksite and vehicle signage and recommendations; support and service every step of the way, and much more.
Having an OEM partner that is just as invested in the success of your autonomous operation as you are is your competitive advantage.
As with all emerging technology, early adopters taking autonomous mowers on should expect hiccups and bumps along the way. This makes a strong manufacturer partnership even more valuable.
Get in touch with the team at Colbrook Industries to learn more about how autonomous mowers from RC MOWERS in the USA and the RC Mowers Success System can work for you.
Visit colbrookindustries.com.au to learn more, or phone (03) 8369 6610.