This week, Husqvarna, one of the world’s leading producers of forest, park and garden products, invited guests to its Living City event, to share its knowledge on how to positively impact the future of sustainable grounds maintenance. 

In the online hour event, Husqvarna’s key speakers focused on how ground-breaking developments within turf management in sports and golf are changing the game forever. In addition, Husqvarna shared unique details of CEORA, Husqvarna’s next generation in large-scale robotic mowing.

Stephen Ohlson, vice president of product development at GreenSight provided insight on how data collection can improve turf quality on golf sites. Using drone intelligence, soil sensors, thermal imaging, and autonomous robotic mowers, GreenSight can transform the way golf courses maintain their grounds.

Using Meadow Club golf course in Fairfax, California as an example, GreenSight explained that by using their technology combined with Husqvarna Automower®, the 66-acre course, which cuts its grounds three times per week, could switch their large format diesel mowers for electric robotic mowers. This would reduce their CO2 emissions by 99.5%, the equivalent of taking an additional 11 cars off the road. Looking to the future GreenSight explained that if just 10% of all US golf courses adopted the GreenSight and Husqvarna solution, 79,000 MT CO2e would be reduced, equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road.

Next, viewers heard from Karin Juul Hesselsøe, researcher at the NIBIO research centre in Norway. Karin explained the impact on quality of turf following testing using Husqvarna Automower® on golf courses in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. Using Husqvarna Automower® 550 and comparing it against their usual reel mowers, the courses monitored turf quality, percentage of weeds and diseases, and diesel and time consumption.

From preliminary results, observations from Iceland noticed no dew in the mornings where the Automower® had cut, as well as zero distinct lines left in the turf, unlike their usual cutting methods. On top of this, they observed reduced seed heads of annual bluegrass on the robotic mown fairway.

Husqvarna’s final guest speaker was Kristoffer Palmlund, CEO at GML Sport AB, who discussed new innovative partnerships within sport field maintenance. Partnering with IFK Gothenburg training pitch in 2020, GML and Husqvarna collaborated to increase productivity, free up resources, and develop new methods and technology.

The final talk came from Olle Markusson, director of product management at Husqvarna Group, who revealed new details of CEORA, Husqvarna’s next generation in large-scale robotic mowing. Expanding Husqvarna’s portfolio, CEORA targets large areas, in particular sport fields and golf courses, as they require large areas and impressive lawn quality.

CEORA is set to deliver many benefits, including great lawn quality thanks to its razor-sharp blades, frequent mowing and low-weight machine. Other benefits include labour management and the ability to overcome scarcity, cost and general management costs, safety is increased thanks to the reduced need for human interaction, and the planet benefits due to its low energy, reduced noise levels and low CO2 emissions.

Covering 50,000m2 and featuring Husqvarna’s ground-breaking EPOS technology, the satellite-based system enables the mowers to work within virtual boundaries. Controlled remotely through Husqvarna Fleet Services, customers can access real-time data and make mowing amendments through the touch of a button when required.

Inspired by Husqvarna front riders, the CEORA cutting deck has been purpose-built to ensure it can be easily raised for great accessibility, and allow for easy blade replacement, cleaning and service. Designed with a high-level of sealing to ensure hose washing is possible, the mowers also feature super smooth surfaces to reduce grass build-up and increase premium turf quality.