Scythe Robotics, a Colorado-based company developing commercial-grade autonomous mowers for the landscape industry, recently announced the release of the latest generation of its all-electric, fully autonomous M.52 commercial mower.
Upgrades include a 25% increase in battery capacity and a completely redesigned control panel, with mowers field tested for durability. Scythe said its upgrades have the potential to deliver improved performance and productivity for dozens of companies and municipalities deploying the M.52 this year.
Development team tested new mower features
Scythe said the upgraded battery technology in the latest generation of M.52 mowers can enable a full day of mowing on a wide variety of commercial properties. Test batteries endured extreme temperatures and conditions well beyond what the M.52 will experience in normal mowing operations. Additional improvements also cut the charge time in half and set the stage for the future integration of the North American Charging Standard.
The new control panel features ergonomic bar-style controls, a large touch screen that displays live status updates, and an intuitive interface for creating Mow Zones and adjusting mower settings. The companion Scythe mobile app further equips crews with tools providing field-level intelligence, allowing for simple Mow Zone management, settings adjustments from a distance, and communication with bilingual Scythe field support.
“In developing this generation of M.52, we’ve been laser focused on improving the things that matter most to our landscape customers: autonomous performance, reliability, and battery life,” said Davis Foster, Scythe co-founder and chief engineer. “Our test and engineering teams have left no stone unturned in the development of this machine.”
Customer input defined latest upgrades
Following Scythe's recent production facility expansion, the company is set to build over 100 next-generation mowers during the 2024 season for its largest deployment to date. The new M.52 will roll out to landscape contractors across Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Ohio, with additional regions under consideration.
“Incorporating innovation like M.52 helps us address labor shortages while greatly improving our operational efficiency and service quality,” said Brian Levins, maintenance team manager at landscape company Designscapes Colorado. “By deploying M.52 mowers, we’ve been able to look at properties with big mow acreage in a different way, opening up new growth opportunities. Plus, our teams see us making investments into innovations like this and they are excited to be on this journey that is improving our profession.”
Scythe said advancements in the performance and reliability of its latest generation of M.52 are the result of input from landscape contractors, field testing, and fast-paced development by the Scythe team. As demonstrated in a new video released by Scythe - which was unveiled at the 2024 Robotics Summit and Expo in Boston, Mass. May 1 - test units had to tackle tough terrain, endure extreme climates, and complete marathon mowing sessions while adhering to quality and safety standards. From vibration testing, water ingress evaluations, and extreme temperature trials, Scythe said each component has been meticulously evaluated to ensure optimal functionality in real-world conditions.
“This generation of M.52 is the result of our most extensive testing and development, tailored specifically to meet the needs of our landscape customers,” said Robert McCutcheon, Scythe senior staff mechanical design engineer. “We are proud to produce an innovative, durable mower that unlocks the productivity of the crews mowing with it. Our commitment to reliability and safety ensures we provide a trusted solution.”
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