IINDUSTRY leader Husqvarna was due to celebrate 30 years of robotic mower innovation at a special event to be held in Sydney’s iconic Centennial Park during September.
The occasion was planned to commemorate what was believed to be the world’s first robotic lawn mower, known as the Husqvarna Solar Mower.
A leader in robotic mowing since those formative days back in 1995, initially in Europe but also in Australia, Husqvarna has forged ahead and continues to innovate and to lead the way in relation to golf course and lawn maintenance.
Also coinciding with this 30-year anniversary, Husqvarna commissioned a report to explore how robotics can address workforce challenges and reduce the carbon footprint for the future of golf course management.
Expert insights were sought on the evolving role of automation and in the transition of a sustainable future.
John Neylan, a respected Senior Turf Agronomist at SPORTENG with a long career in sports turf management, along with Jake Gibbs, originally from the UK and now Director of Grounds at the Elanora Country Club, were two with strong industry reputations who participated in the Husqvarna research and report.
The white paper covered various aspects of course maintenance including lowering costs, unlocking productivity gains, and creating new playing standards, while focusing on battery-powered commercial robotic lawn mowers and the implications for golf that this technology brings.
The aim was to provide golf courses, greenkeepers and superintendents, as well as other organisations that manage large turf areas, insights into autonomous solutions.
Two Husqvarna CEORA
units take care of the Woodford Golf Club’s largest mowing areas.
Husqvarna reasoned that like any industry, greenkeeping is evolving, and with change comes new challenges, resulting from balancing the needs and demands of players and authorities, while at the same time keeping costs down.
In summary, the report detailed that automation and electrification offers a smarter approach to maintaining golf courses, delivering exceptional playing conditions while addressing environmental, labour and cost challenges.
The high-frequency, autonomous mowing provides a consistently cut surface for better turf density and a superior playing experience, maintenance teams can focus on higher-value activities by removing repetitive mowing tasks, while battery-powered robotic mowers operating discreetly and safely and reduce fuel, machinery and labour costs.
Lower energy use, reduced soil compaction, and natural fertilisation all contribute to healthier turf and improved course management.
Neylan, expressed. “Turf management is facing a range of challenges: labour shortages, low wages, climate pressures, and reduced education funding. These challenges make it increasingly difficult to maintain high-quality playing surfaces.
“Managing expectations is a constant challenge. Golfers often expect perfect turf, but resource constraints mean perfection isn’t always possible. Robotic mowers have the potential to ease labour shortages by allowing staff to focus on higher-value maintenance tasks.”
Woodford Golf Club in South Australia is pioneering innovation by acquiring two Husqvarna CEORA mowers, primarily designated to handle the extensive mowing of the club’s fairways.
Low in noise, thanks to battery-driven operation, easy to use and with a very large area mowing capacity, the Husqvarna CEORA is changing the world of commercial turf care.
The post Husqvarna – leading the way with robotic mower innovation first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.