The Ideal Operator for your Autonomous Operation
You may be venturing into autonomy, but you are not going there autonomously—there is no aspect of this investment that you will go alone. We partner on a deeply collaborative level with all of our customers, sharing insights, intelligence, and inspiration.
It goes without saying that your investment in autonomous mowing requires leadership and professionalism at every step. But nowhere are those traits more important than in the position of Operator. The following are the most common characteristics of successful Autonomous Mowing Robot Operators.
Autonomous ABCs
Our Autonomous Mowing Robots (AMRs) are driverless zero-turn commercial mowers designed to greatly ease the industry’s labor issues. This technology is allowing companies to expand their services, enhance their employees’ value, and reduce labor needs by two-thirds. Our machines are easily programmed by setting the perimeter of the plan and identifying keep-out areas like water features and flower beds. Then, the mower goes driverless to complete the entire plan, while the employee is free to attend to detailed handwork. When the AMRs have finished—without taking a cigarette break or getting a phone call—they return to their loading area, ready for the next job. When you return to this site, no programming is required. The AMRs can be set straight to work mowing the plan as designated.
All of the above needs a champion. Every autonomous operation requires a dedicated staff member to take the lead. These autonomous operator positions are significant opportunities for your capable and reliable employees. What does that person need to succeed?
Begin with Trust
A certain level of trust is required upon embarking on training and the adoption of autonomous mowing best practices. You must also trust that the operator will care for and carefully handle the AMRs. Our machines are robust and durable, but also very sophisticated requiring a special attention and a little technical TLC.
Begin with Trust Communicate early and often
To a certain degree, being a good communicator can be taught, but generally, this trait is more inherent. Your operator cannot be shy about speaking up with concerns, questions, ideas and ongoing information. They must be comfortable reporting good news and concerns in a prompt and clear manner.
Willing to learn
The role of robot is filled—your operator cannot be robotic. A willingness to adapt and learn is essential in this position. A long-term autonomous mowing strategy requires weeks or months to fully implement across an organization. Your operator must possess the adaptability to flex and pivot.
Patience
Patience is a virtue—and it clearly applies to this position. Autonomous mowing is an emerging technology; there will be challenges and updates. As with any technology, it takes time and patience to build trust between the operator and the technology.
Awareness
Awareness of the workspace and the activities in and around the workspace is critical. Like any machinery use, the operator must have a heightened awareness of site-specific hazards and the confidence to make definitive safety decisions.
Reliable
Reliability is about consistency of performance and availability. This position has a high ceiling for growth and learning—but a low tolerance for absence and apathy. The operator has to be available and fully focused on learning autonomous mowing and the machines.
Technically Speaking
Having technical, mechanical and mowing experience is certainly helpful, but not necessary to be a successful AMR Operator. This is a reasonably new area of expertise which can be learned and mastered by anyone with determination and focus.
These are the top-line traits that make an exceptional AMR operator. We’ve found that operators with these qualities, plus a sincere desire to see the autonomy program succeed, lead directly to a thriving AMR operation.
At RC Mowers, we are relentlessly devoted to your success. Whatever that takes, we’ll be a partner you can fully depend on and always call on.
