Mitie has welcomed 24 AI-powered robot mowers, or ‘mowbots’ as part of a UK-wide rollout across customer sites. As one of the first investments of this scale in the sector, the programme blends intelligent technology and hands-on expertise to deliver grounds maintenance.
Colleagues are building new digital skills as ‘Robot Pilots’, programming and managing the ‘mowbots’ using digital tools to map sites and monitor performance in real time. Out on site, the ‘mowbots’ use AI to navigate spaces safely, taking care of routine grass cutting throughout the day.
As fully electric machines, the Kress Voyager mowers align with Mitie’s sustainability ambitions by producing zero direct emissions. Unlike fuel-powered mowers, which emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide, the ‘mowbots’ run entirely on battery power, helping to improve air quality and reduce carbon impact across sites. Battery-powered operation also removes the risk of fuel and oil spills, supporting cleaner, safer site management. They are also significantly quieter than traditional petrol mowers, making them well suited to environments such as schools, where they will be deployed.
The ‘mowbots’ are also designed to deliver healthier, more sustainable grounds care. By mowing little and often, they naturally return cuttings to the soil through ‘grass cycling’, improving soil health and reducing reliance on fertilisers, ultimately creating a more resilient, self-sustaining lawn.
Mitie’s ‘mowbots’ join its cleaning robots or ‘cobots’, including 32 at Heathrow Airport, as the latest innovation in its growing robotics programme, supporting frontline colleagues and enhancing how sites are managed.
Tim Howell, Managing Director, Landscaping, Mitie, said:
“This rollout marks an important step in how we deliver grounds maintenance, and we’re pleased to be welcoming the Kress Voyager ‘mowbots’ as part of our landscaping workforce. They’re creating new opportunities for colleagues to build digital skills as ‘Robot Pilots’, while supporting more sustainable ways of working through quieter, zero-emission technology.”
