There’s a new robot coming to Kansas City – and it can manicure your lawn.
The city’s first robotic lawnmower will be installed at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Thursday, April 26.
The robotic lawnmower is like a roomba – except it targets grass instead of dust and dirt.
True North Outdoor, the landscape and snow removal company that services The Nelson-Atkins’ grounds maintenance, is the first to use the robotic technology on a commercial property in Kansas City.
Once the mower is installed, it will mow every night, keeping the grass a consistent height. The GPS-driven robotic lawnmower cuts just a little grass at a time, naturally fertilizing the soil with the minuscule clippings rather than yellowing and rotting on top of the grass.
The mower is being installed in the part of the property where the Nelson-Atkins has outdoor wedding ceremonies – one of the most high-maintenance areas of the property. The area also lies atop the boiler room of the museum, so the grass grows more quickly in that area.
“Normally we mow this area twice a week and have to rush over and get it perfect right before a wedding,” said Mark Nelson of True North Outdoor. “Now the grass will always be the perfect height.”
Unlike their human-steered, gas-guzzling counterparts, battery-powered vacuum bots are quiet enough to work at night. And because they operate on whatever schedule you set, they can be used as frequently as desired.
Homeowners have been slow to adopt the technology because of the $4,000+ price tag. True North invested in the technology because it supports their company values of providing the highest quality of service to the customer in a way that is sustainable for the environment. True North plans to increase their fleet of bot lawnmowers in the future.
“They really align with our goal of being eco-friendly and bio-centric because they’re efficient and good for the environment while still providing the best looking properties,” Nelson said.