First robotic mower for large outdoor areas with intelligent sensor technology

RoviMo® is the world’s first fully electric, CO2 emissions free autonomous multi-purpose robot for large green spaces. The idea for an autonomous robot vehicle for maintaining sports fields, golf courses or parks came directly from speaking to real world professionals. Local municipalities, sports field construction companies, and green keeping teams have been searching for a solution for mowing large areas of grass precisely and using a time-saving pattern. In 2017, Ronovatec AG and Lucerne University set about developing a computer-controlled autonomous three wheeled robotic mower for large areas. SICK, with its expertise in outdoor safety, advised them during the project. Thanks to the integrated sensors from SICK, the RoviMo® can navigate grass areas with no risk of collisions, even in the most challenging weather conditions.

A true jack of all trades: intelligent robotic mower on three wheels

RoviMo® is more than just a computer-controlled autonomous robot on three wheels: Having been designed as a multifunction platform for maintaining lawns and other large green areas, it is possible to mount, in a few easy steps, a variety of modules, e.g. for artificial turf care, for drawing lines on a sports field, for sowing or fertilizing, or for shining UV light onto the grass.

Efficient, productive, CO2-free

The environmentally-friendly robotic mower for large areas operates fully electrically and therefore emits no CO2. It also requires no hydraulic oil, which makes it perfectly suited for everyone who wants to mow in a more green manner. With a capacity of 7.5 kWh, it can fully autonomously process an area of two times 8,000 m2 over a 3 - 4 hour period. This saves you valuable time. The integrated sensors from SICK also ensure a maximum level of accuracy during mowing, thereby delivering a precise pattern every time without the need for time-consuming field measurements beforehand.

Safe thanks to sensors from SICK

The outdoorScan3 safety laser scanner for outdoor applications from SICK that has been integrated into the RoviMo® protects people and animals outdoors by avoiding collisions. When it detects a hazard, RoviMo® applies the brakes and comes to a stop. The robotic mower for large areas alerts the green keeper via a text message, and automatically continues on its planned path once the obstacle disappears, for example the animal moves on. Unless the green keeper instructs it to do something else. This makes RoviMo® autonomous and extremely independent, and therefore a valuable addition to your team.

The built-in Flexi Soft safety controller can be used to activate curve and speed dependent protective fields on the outdoorScan3. Furthermore, an integrated STR1 transponder safety switch monitors the position of the mechanical optics cover via the cutter bar.

Weather-resistant robotic mower

The outdoorScan3 operates reliably and safely even in the most demanding weather conditions. The patented and high-precision outdoor safeHDDM® scan technology distinguishes between real safety risks and interfering environmental influences. Thanks to the AGV Dynamic Weather Assist function block, the outdoorScan3 also reacts dynamically to changing weather conditions.

“Our collaboration with SICK has contributed significantly to the safety of our robotic mower. Using an iterative process, we jointly developed solutions for achieving the highest possible productivity while also guaranteeing maximum safety. The results are impressive”, says Zvonko Gligorov, CTO at Ronovatec.

With the help of the sensors from SICK, Ronovatec has developed an ecologically sustainable robotic mower for large areas that also offers unbeatable value for money. The lawn mower carries out its work tirelessly, efficiently, reliably and without supervision even in unfavorable weather conditions. It marks out precise patterns on lawns and saves time and reduces paint consumption. And at the same time it also cares for the lawn and ground.

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