By Steve Uljua, senior robotics product manager at Kress
Autonomous mowing technology has come a long way since its early days; evolving from heavy and expensive machines to highly efficient, precision-guided systems. What started as a novel concept has rapidly progressed with advancements in battery life, automation and navigation. On the quest to address past limitations and develop cutting-edge technology, we have unlocked benefits of autonomous mowing that extend far beyond convenience alone.
A short history of autonomous mowing
Autonomous robotic mowing was concepted in the mid-twentieth century with a 125-pound, battery-powered prototype that relied on boundary wires and significant hands-on effort. By the mid-1990s, the first solar-powered mower arrived, followed by a more affordable, 100-pound lighter version. While the 1990s robots were still boundary wire dependent, their improved autonomy and battery life lead to greater homeowner adoption.
While early autonomous mowing was beneficial, it was not without its frustrations. Boundary wire installation was impractical for large and complex yards, and wires were prone to breaking. Additionally, random mowing occasionally caused missed areas and did not always provide the clean cuts.
Enter new technology
After nearly two and a half decades of minor improvements in autonomous mowing, manufacturers like Kress began responding to some of the biggest consumer pain points. With some of the biggest advancements in autonomous mowing, Kress Mission mowers use satellite-guided mowing technology, or RTK (real-time kinematic) positioning, to ensure precision mowing with centimeter-level accuracy. Kress RTK equipment uses the proprietary – and free to the user – Kress RTK network (RTKn), meaning users don’t have to rely on on-property antennas. Combined with Mowing Action Plan (MAP™) technology, Kress mission mowers allow for satellite-precise multizone management, meaning they can mow in systematic lines and patterns across various zones and at different cut heights; even crossing driveways and walkways. In addition, the entire line of Kress robotic mowers is supported by a Regenerative Brake System (RBS™) for increased battery life and longer runtimes and an Obstacle Avoidance System (OAS) unlike any robot mower on the market.
As autonomous mowing technology continues to evolve and improve, its impact extends beyond convenience and efficiency.
Turf benefits
In addition to streamlining lawn maintenance, advanced autonomous mowing systems also contribute significantly to the overall health and quality of turf. By mowing more frequently, less leaf tissue is removed each cut, significantly reducing the stress on grass blades and allowing the plant to focus on healthy root growth. In this way, as discovered by Dr. Clint Walz and a team of scientists at the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, frequent mowing encourages deeper root growth and canopy density, resulting in thicker, more resilient turf. Consistent mowing also ensures an even appearance, while small clippings act as natural fertilizer, limiting the need for frequent fertilization or watering1,2.
Autonomous mowers also provide several practical benefits for users. By handling routine lawn maintenance, robotic mowers have proven to save users as many as three hours per week3, freeing them up to focus on other critical tasks and protecting them from the elements.
Recent adoption
Due to the various benefits of autonomous mowing, including turf health, sustainability opportunities and labor savings, Kress has recently seen adoption of their autonomous mowers by homeowners, commercial landscapers, government agencies and golf courses.
Homeowners that have adopted robotic mowers are saving hours of time per week to manage other tasks around the home. Professional landscapers have implemented Kress robotic mowers on residential and commercial customer properties, often positioning the mowers as a premium service. Most notably, key golf courses across the country and in the UK – like Royal Portrush Golf Club, The Santaluz Club and Pasatiempo Golf Course – have adopted Kress RTKn technology to save money and time while improving the overall health of their turf.
What’s next
Autonomous mowing will continue to improve as the technology advances. Kress is determined to continue leading the charge for best-in-class autonomous mowing technology. Kress anticipates announcing the next big wave of autonomous technological advances in 2025, while continuing to help usher in a new era of turf maintenance.
Anyone interested in the latest autonomous technology should visit kress.com to learn more or to discover how to try the products.
1Grass that is frequently mowed and maintained by autonomous mowers require less watering according to University of Kentucky’s study on robotic mowers and turfgrass cut quality (Andrew Hartsock, GCM online).
2Small grass clippings left by robotic mowers decompose quickly and act as a natural fertilizer, helping to avoid thatch buildup. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, these clippings return essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
3Robotic Mowers save homeowners 2 to 3 hours per week during the mowing season, depending on the type of grass according to research by My Take 2023.