Frequently asked questions

About Vector Machines

Vector Machines develops and delivers autonomous mowing robots for the maintenance of solar parks. With smart sensors, ROS software, and remote control, we reduce maintenance costs, increase safety, and improve the yield of solar parks.

 What exactly does Vector Machines?

Vector Machines builds autonomous mowing robots for the efficient and safe mowing of solar parks. The robots operate independently, reduce the use of heavy machinery, and keep rows between panels free from vegetation.

 Why are autonomous mowing robots interesting for solar parks?

Lower OPEX: less manual mowing and less logistics.

Consistent quality: predictable mowing routes and heights.

Safety: less traffic of heavy machinery between panels.

Sustainability: electric; deployment aligns with emission reduction.

 How do the robots from Vector Machines work?

Our robots combine sensor fusion and ROS software for navigation and drivetrain. Wheel speeds are dynamically calculated based on steering angle, obstacle detection, and route planning. Localization can be GNSS-independent with FAST-LIO / FAST-LIMO

Can I monitor and control the robots remotely?

Yes. We provide an online interface for live monitoring, status notifications, map display, and management of updates.

 How is safety ensured?

Emergency stops and safety bumpers with IO-Link.

Failsafe logic: the robot stops in case of irregularities.

Obstacle detection and clear procedure for release/zone setup.

 For which scale are the robots suitable?

From ~10 ha to 300 ha+. The number of robots scales with the area, growth rate, and desired mowing cycle (e.g. weekly/monthly).

 What is the investment and payback period (ROI)?

Depending on the size of the fleet and the number of robots. In practice, we often see a payback period of around 2–4 years due to savings on labour, machine hours, and logistics.

 How does the installation and commissioning proceed?

Site intake & mapping (zoning, paths, restrictions).

Installation & training by our team (operator & safety).

Test run & fine-tuning of routes/parameters.

Transfer + SLA for support and maintenance.

 What is needed in terms of maintenance?

Preventive: annual service, firmware/ROS updates.

Curative: modular design with easy replacement of wear parts.

Remote support: diagnostics via the online interface.

 Does the autonomous mowing robot work without (reliable) GNSS?

Yes. With FAST-LIO / FAST-LIMO we can operate with or without GNSS; GNSS serves as ground truth where available. This is useful in shadow, forestry, or disturbances.

 What types of terrain or grass can you handle?

We are designed for unprofiled rows, verges, and under panels with varying types of grass. In cases of exceptionally rough vegetation or obstacles, we recommend a pre-cut followed by robotic maintenance.