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Robotic mower looks like real deal at Golf Show
19 Feb, 2009 Athletic Turf News
NEW ORLEANS — There have been several attempts to introduce robotic mowers into the professional lawn service market, and they all have failed for several reasons, mostly because the mowers were wimpy and couldn't handle the great sizes, shapes and conditions that commercial
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cutters regularly encounter on the properties they maintain. There is the safety issue, too, of course. What's to keep a robotic from scalping the family Yorkie?
Precise Path Robotics, an Indianapolis-based company is looking at the bigger picture. It displayed its RG3 robotic greens mower at the recent 2009 Golf Industry Show in New Orleans.
The Precise Path RG3 combines robotic technology with an industry proven-cutting unit to produce a consistent and accurate cut every time while enabling superintendents to increase productivity and efficiency, says the company.
“The RG3 will advance golf course maintenance to a degree not seen since the advent of the gasoline engine,” said Brian Wheat, Precise Path’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Our technology will undoubtedly help golf course superintendents achieve uniformity and outstanding course conditions while allowing crew workers to tackle other tasks during the greens-mowing process, such as raking bunkers, plantings, turf repair, and so on.”
By using Local Positioning Sensors (LPS), the RG3 uses ultrasonic and infrared communications with four portable beacons placed around the green to mow the surface without the need for an operator. Three lead acid batteries will operate the mower for three hours until you need to charge them for eight hours.
Operation of the RG3 robotic greens mower is easy. Prior to mowing, an operator places four beacons, each about the size of a bowling pin, in predetermined, fixed locations around the green. Then the operator simply presses “start” and the RG3 automatically performs the mowing operation according to exact specifications set by the superintendent. During mowing, the mower remains in constant communication with the beacons to help guide its precise movement across the green, claims the company.
Precise Path designed the RG3 with input from over 30 turf professionals in the industry, including Dan Gamble, turf consultant and former golf course superintendent, and Tom Meeks, formerly the USGA’s senior director of rules and competitions.
“There is a need for a more consistent method of maintaining golf courses,” said Gamble. “Not only will golfers benefit from better, more uniformly cut greens, but superintendents and crews alike will be able to focus on other important tasks such as general course maintenance and landscaping.”
The price tag — $29,000. Orders are being taken now.
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