Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto

       One of the most common questions I have gotten over the past few weeks, is when do you think Robotic/Autonomous mowers will be commonplace in the Turf Industry? Maybe it is the thought of trying to find staff members for the season, or the continuing narrative that the next generation is not going to come looking for a 7 day a week job with a predawn start time. These concerns have people thinking about how they are going to get things done.
While golf courses are having difficulty getting things done, the newest technology ,that is gaining momentum with hopes to assist this, is the use of GPS sprayers. It is still nowhere near the commonplace. When you see it in action, it makes you ask why you would not want to use it. Will robotic mowers have the same feel? Now the GPS Sprayer technology has an advantage by the ability to show significant savings in your chemicals usage by the ability to control your applications. However, from what I understand, the robotic mowers currently are not yet to the point of no human supervision, so the significant savings of man hours might not allow the pays for itself argument. I would say it is a safe assumption that we will be seeing something from the 3 largest manufacturers of equipment some time soon.
To see a few clubs that have started to use robotic greens mowers, from Cub Cadet, is interesting to watch. Guys who are early adapters are often the most passionate, but to get a new practice or technology to be used industry wide, always takes time.
       Will we see the day, in the not so far future, where mowers have their "dog house" to charge up and come out at night to mow? For me, it will be interesting to see how quickly GPS Spraying becomes the norm and will that help to move the acceptance of an autonomous mower. Time will tell.


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Meeting the Board

       On Thursday, this past week, I had the opportunity to sit in on a "mock" Boardroom Meeting where the students in the Penn State University Turfgrass Management Program make a presentation to the board. The idea is to make a presentation, which they have some parameters to work off of, to the club's board, on why they should be hired. The board was made up of three Superintendents, one Professor, a Club General Manager and myself. Dr. John Kaminski had asked if I might be available, after I spoke to the PSU Turf Club, the week before. He said it would be good, if I could make it, to give a different perspective.
       This Boardroom Meeting is the last thing the students have left to do before graduation. While each group had a slightly different approach, it was obvious that there was a large investment of time. I was truly impressed with how professional their presentations were.
While there was some questions thrown out, specifically to throw them off their program, it was really enjoyable to watch these, soon to be graduates, trying to present some of the things they have learned, as well as to witness their ability to think on their feet.
I feel very luck to have had a opportunity to be a part of the last project for this year's class.
It was interesting to hear where they were all heading to work after graduation.
Congratulations to all the graduates and best of luck as you start your career!










*Photos taken by Dr. John Kaminski


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