They may look like beefed up Roombas, but the new 535 and AWD 580L EPOS robotic lawn mowers from Husqvarna leverage the brand’s decades of outdoor power products expertise to deliver commercial-grade capability in an innovative package.
Husqvarna dropped the two new commercial robot lawnmowers at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego this weekend with claims that the new 580L EPOS model, specifically, “furthers Husqvarna’s commitment to providing autonomous solutions and revolutionizing turf management for golf courses, sports fields, and facility maintenance.”
If you’re wondering about that “EPOS” acronym, it stands for Exact Positioning Operating System. It’s a Husqvarna-developed, satellite-based positioning system that enables the robot mowers to work within virtual boundaries instead of relying on physical boundary wires like other (significantly less expensive) models.
The company claims EPOS’ customizable mapping allows users to create custom work areas with a unique schedule, cut height, and cut pattern with accuracy down to 2 cm. Users can also carve out temporary “stay out zones” or be shut down quickly for emergencies or unexpected toddler invasions of your golf course.
All cool, but it’s that ability to put the mowers to work without the need to lay down wires is one of the most compelling arguments that these are, truly, commercial-ready robots.
Another compelling argument? Husqvarna claims the 580L EPOS model can mow up to four acres of lawn on a single charge of its 8Ah li-ion battery and fully recharge in less than an hour.
Husqvarna 535 AWD EPOS
On the consumer side of things, the new 535 AWD offers up to .9 acres of mowing before it needs to head back to its dock. Which, while a lot less than the commercial landscaper-focused 580L model, seems like enough to be able to keep a decently-sized rural homestead in freshly cut grass all summer.
“The Automower 535 AWD EPOS and 580L EPOS are must-haves for turf professionals committed to revolutionizing and simplifying their green space management,” explains Dave Plaster, Vice President, Sports & Golf Husqvarna Group. “As the demand for reliable autonomous turf care solutions rises, we’re thrilled to expand our professional robotic mower offerings to meet our customers’ high standards.”
The Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD and 580L EPOS models are available for order now, and will begin shipping to dealers next month. Pricing for the 580L starts at $7,399.
Electrek’s Take
As a typically pro-union, pro-labor type of guy, I am hesitant to heap praise upon a robot taking away anyone’s job. That said, it does seem to be difficult for landscapers and construction crews to keep and find good labor at rates they can afford (and, let’s face it – the current Trump Administration isn’t going to be making that any easier). As such, if companies like Husqvarna and John Deere and Einride and others can build a demonstrably better mousetrap at a compelling price point … good for them. (?)
Let us know what you think in the comments.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Husqvarna, via PR Newswire.