Robotic Mowing of Tall Fescue at 90 mm Cutting Height: Random Trajectories vs. Systematic Trajectories

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is often managed with a cutting height ranging from 70 to 100 mm in ornamental lawns. Some autonomous mowers have been specifically designed maintain mowing the same range. Generally, operate by following random trajectories, and substantial overlapping needed obtain full coverage of working area. In case tall grass, this may cause lodging grass plants, which turn reduce turf quality. The introduction navigation system based on systematic trajectories has potential improve performances respect machine efficiency With aim determining effects reduced frequency systems quality mower terms time, energy consumption overlapping, two were tested mature lawn at 90 height. was approximately 80% for 35% trajectories; mainly due lower associated trajectories. Turf slightly higher systematically (a score 8 using 1–9 1 = poor, 6 acceptable 9 best) compared one randomly (quality 7 scale poor best). No appreciable observed either case. For tall, lawns, mowers’ overall performances.