With the continuous advancement of technology, it is no surprise that autonomous lawnmowers are becoming increasingly popular. These robots are designed to cut the grass automatically without any human intervention. In recent years, mowing robots and autonomous lawnmowers have developed strongly. They are no longer limited to small, flat gardens. With advanced sensors and navigation technology, they can now mow large, complex lawns, including solar farms, nurseries, sports fields, golf courses and public parks.
In this article we will discuss how autonomous lawn mowing has developed and what we can expect in the future. And of course, how we see our Vector autonomous tool carrier going forward.
History of autonomous lawn mowing
Autonomous lawn mowing is not new. The first autonomous lawnmower was invented in 1969 by the Husqvarna company. However, it was impractical and too expensive for the consumer market. It was years before autonomous lawnmowers became affordable and readily available.
In the 90s, the first commercial autonomous lawnmowers appeared on the market. However, these early models were limited in terms of functionality and reliability. It took several more years for the technology to develop to the point where autonomous lawnmowers became really practical for the consumer market.
Being nowadays autonomous lawnmowers a common sight on many lawns. They are easy to use and offer many advantages over manual mowing methods.
Advantages of autonomous lawn mowing
There are several advantages to using autonomous lawnmowers.
Time savings with mowing robot
First, they save time and effort. Unlike manual mowing, you don't have to stay on the lawn to control the robot. Instead, you have your hands free to perform other tasks while the robot mows the lawn.
Mowing robot is precise
Autonomous lawnmowers are also much more accurate than manual mowing methods. They can mow accurately around edges and obstacles, leaving no uncut areas.
Mowing robot environmentally friendly
Autonomous lawnmowers are much more environmentally friendly than traditional lawnmowers. They are electrically powered and emit no harmful emissions. Because autonomous lawnmowers are powered by batteries, they do not emit harmful exhaust fumes, unlike petrol-powered mowers.
Silent mowing robot
Because the autonomous mowers are electrically powered, they produce less noise than traditional lawn mowers. This makes them ideal for use in residential areas and public parks. But also for it mowing golf courses, because golfers appreciate the silent operation of the autonomous mowing robots.
Autonomous mowing machine cost effective
One of the main advantages of autonomous mowers is that they are efficient and cost effective. Unlike manual mowing, which requires a lot of labor and time, autonomous mowers can work continuously without a break. This saves time and money in the long run and allows more areas to be mowed in less time.
Another advantage of autonomous lawn mowing is that it can be cost effective in the long run. While autonomous lawnmowers require an initial investment, you'll save money in the long run as you don't have to buy gas and do maintenance.
Future of autonomous lawn mowing
Autonomous mowers are becoming more and more popular in the professional industry, such as lawn mowing on solar parks, tree nurseries, mowing grass on sports fields and golf courses. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), mowing robots and autonomous lawnmowers are the future of lawn care.
As technology continues to develop, we can expect even more improvements in autonomous lawn mowing. Below are some of the most important developments that we can expect and that we certainly want to apply to the Vector WD2.0 autonomous tool carrier with cutting deck.
Improved sensors and detection: With improved sensors and detection, the robot can more accurately deal with obstacles and other objects in the environment to be cared for. Autonomous mowers will make greater use of sensors and camera systems to scan and navigate their surroundings. These sensors will enable them to avoid obstacles and operate safely, even in crowded and complex environments.
For example, our Vector is already available with a post mower (or obstacle mower). The post mower is equipped with a specially designed cutting device to mow the posts and a LIDAR (sensor) to detect the position of the posts. The sensor transmits information to the control unit of the tool carrier, which controls the machine to mow the posts correctly. This makes the post mower ideal for to mow solar parks autonomously.
Autonomous lawnmowers are getting smarter: With the rise of AI and IoT, autonomous lawnmowers will be able to communicate with other smart devices in the field (or with smaller devices in your home and garden), making them even more efficient and effective. Another important development is the integration of autonomous mowers in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. This means that these machines can communicate with other smart devices in the environment, such as weather sensors and irrigation systems. This allows them to work even more efficiently and to better respond to changing weather conditions.
Adapt to circumstances: In addition, autonomous lawnmowers will be able to adapt to different weather conditions and different types of terrain. With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, these machines will be able to better understand and adapt to their environment. They will also be able to differentiate between different types of grass and plants, allowing for more precise and efficient mowing.
Multifunctional autonomous mower: But the biggest change in the future of professional autonomous mowers may come in the form of multifunctional machines that not only mow, but also perform other tasks. These machines would be able to fertilize, aerate and water the grass, providing a complete solution for lawn and landscaping maintenance.
In short, the future of professional autonomous mowers is promising. With the emergence of new technologies, these machines are becoming smarter and more efficient. As a result, they can play an important role in the maintenance of grass on large areas such as solar parks, tree nurseries, sports fields and golf courses.