In addition to agriculture, delivery, and mining, another popular field robotics application is commercial lawn mowing. The U.S. commercial lawn mower market could reach $4 billion by 2024, according to Research and Markets. RC Mowers makes remotely operated robotic lawn mowers that can operate in landscapes that are hazardous to human workers.
Suamico, Wis.-based Embankscape Equipment LLC, which does business as RC Mowers, sent its team on a “Great American Road Show.” The company has demonstrated its mowers to commercial landscapers; public works departments; city, county, state and federal park systems; and city, county and state road departments. It reported that sales have exceeded projections.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed talking with the thousands of people we have met on the road trip, both learning more about their needs and sharing how our remote-operated robotic mowers can enhance their businesses and organizations,” said Tim Kubista, vice president of sales and marketing at RC Mowers. “We are extremely pleased by their positive reaction to our mowers and the sales we have earned. Side by side with our vast U.S. dealer network, we look forward to working with these new customers mowing forward.”
RC Mowers designs for safety
Founded in 2018, RC Mowers said its goal was to make the mowing of steep slopes safer. As a result, its remotely operated mowers are designed with several integrated safety features and are tested regularly. The mowers comply with or exceed ISO and ANSI standards, it claimed.
RC Mowers said its robotic mowers can handle steep slopes and difficult terrain. “Operators no longer need to worry about twisting ankles on steep slopes, sliding into ponds, encountering dangerous rodents or snakes, or having heavy branches ricochet into their faces,” said the company.
Its product line includes three tracked mowers that can work in sun, rain, and snow, as well as in wet and muddy conditions. Each mower comes with a rugged and water-resistant, commercial-grade remote control that most operators can learn to use within minutes, said RC Mowers.
All of the company's mowers are manufactured and serviced in the U.S., and they have a 30-day buy-back guarantee and come with a 72-hour parts shipping guarantee. RC Mowers said it has more than 25 full-time employees.
Demonstrations continue
With its large red and black truck of demonstration mowers, RC Mowers has visited more than 30 cities so far in 2021, from Houston and Harrisburg, Va., to Cincinnati. The company plans to travel to at least 10 more cities, including Seattle and Portland, Ore.
Some of the demonstration mowers are more than 6 ft. wide and weigh almost a ton, said RC Mowers. A typical event on the road show includes demonstrations of the tracked mowers on steep slopes of up to 50 degrees, along a retention ponds, cutting 2-in.-thick branches, and on wet and muddy land.
RC Mowers said its robotic mowers can help commercial landscapers efficiently mow difficult terrain, reduce injuries and safety liabilities, and decrease labor costs while increasing profitability.