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Robot Mower Interest & Readiness Survey

For Golf Course Greenkeepers & Superintendents

This survey is designed to capture the interests, priorities and readiness of golf course greenkeeping professionals regarding autonomous robotic mowing technology. Your responses will directly help inform the development and deployment of robot mower solutions tailored to real-world conditions across different grass varieties, course areas and operational contexts.

Estimated time - 5-10 minutes
Questions - 32 questions
Sections - 5 sections
Format - Multiple choice, rating scales & open text
Section 1 - Interest by Course Area
Topics Covered - Rating robot mowers across fairway, tee, rough, semi-rough & more

Section 2 - Grass Varieties & Cutting
Topic Covered - Current grass types, heights, frequencies & specialist requirements

Section 3 - Efficiency & Savings Goals
Topics Covered - Labour, energy, equipment savings and investment expectations

Section 4 - Past Experience
Topics Covered - Previous trials, brand experience, outcomes & remaining concerns

Section 5 - Staff & Training
Topic Covered - Team readiness, training formats and service/support requirements

All responses are treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of improving robot mower solutions for the golf industry. Contact details are optional and will not be shared with third parties without your consent.
Section 1 - Interest by Course Area
Rate your interest in deploying robot mowers across different areas of your course.
1.Please rate your interest in robot mowers for each course area
(1 = Not interested · 3 = Neutral · 5 = Very interested).
1
2
3
4
5
Fairway
Tee Box
Rough
Semi-Rough
Surrounds / Apron
Banks & Slopes
2.Which area would you prioritise for a first robot mower deployment?
3.What is the approximate total mowing area you would consider automating?
4.Are there course-specific obstacles or challenges that concern you regarding robot deployment? (select all that apply)
5.Please describe any additional challenges you foresee (terrain, layout, local regulations, etc.).
Section 2 - Grass Varieties & Cutting Requirements
Your turf conditions and cutting schedules help assess compatibility with current robot mower technology.
6.Which grass varieties are present on your course? (select all that apply)
7.What cutting heights (mm) do you currently maintain for each area
8.Do your grass types require specialised cutting techniques (e.g. directional striping, contour mowing, double cutting)?
Section 3 - Efficiency, Savings & Performance Goals
Tell us which operational gains matter most and what investment parameters would make robot mowers viable for your course.
9.How important are the following potential benefits of robot mowers to your operation? (Scale: 1 = Not important · 2 = Slightly · 3 = Neutral · 4 = Important · 5 = Very important)
1
2
3
4
5
Labour cost reduction
Freeing skilled staff for high-value tasks (greens, irrigation, agronomics)
Reduced fuel and energy consumption
Lower equipment purchase or lease cost vs. conventional fleet
Reduced equipment servicing and maintenance cost
Improved cutting consistency and surface uniformity
Night-time or off-hours autonomous operation
Reduced soil compaction from lighter machines
Lower noise levels and exhaust emissions
Improved long-term turf health through frequent light cutting
10.What payback period would you expect for a robot mower investment?
11.Which financing / ownership model would you prefer?
12.Do you have power available on course, or the means to get it?
13.If no power is available, is solar or renewable energy an option you'd like to investigate?
14.Do noise restrictions affect your current mowing program?
15.Are there specific decibel levels at your facility to abide to for Bot Mowers to be deployed?
Section 4 - Past Experience with Robot Mowers
Your direct experience — positive or negative — is extremely valuable. Answer as many questions as apply.
16.Have you previously used or trialed robot mowers at any golf facility?
17.How would you rate the overall performance of the robot mower(s) you experienced?
18.What worked well - strengths. Please be as specific as possible.
19.What were the shortcomings / disappointments. Please be as specfic as possible
20.If you discontinued use, what was the primary reason? (select all that apply)
21.What are your biggest remaining concerns or unanswered questions about robot mowers? (select all that apply)
22.Any other comments on your experience with or concerns about robot mowers?
Section 5 - Staff, Training & Priorities
Understanding your team's readiness and your key priorities.
23.How many staff members would need to be trained to operate and maintain robot mowers at your facility?
24.How much time could you realistically allocate for initial staff training?
25.Does your team currently include staff with relevant technical skills (electronics, IT networking, mechatronics)?
26.How important is a dedicated supplier service and preventive maintenance contract to you?
Priorities and Final Thoughts
27.What is the single most important factor when evaluating a robot mower solution?
28.Which statement best describes where you are in your decision-making process about robot mowers?
29.Is there anything else you would like to share — additional thoughts, specific questions, or requests for information about robot mowers?
30.How interested would you be in attending a robotic mower industry field day featuring multiple suppliers, live mower demonstrations, product comparisons, and opportunities to ask questions directly to manufacturers and distributors?
31.Where in New Zealand are you located?(Required.)
32.Contact Details (optional)