Rise of the machines: Robot mowers trialled to cut grass – and costs

GRASS-CUTTING robots could be drafted in by cash-strapped councils as they look to save money by ditching gardeners.

Highland Council has become the latest authority to trial a remote-controlled lawnmower in a bid to make upkeeping grounds safer, cheaper and easier.

The machine – nicknamed “Spider” – will now allow bosses to maintain a tricky slopes like the one next to Inverness Castle, which is unkempt.

Helen Carmichael, Provost of Inverness, said: “I am keen to see how the remote-control machine works.

“It should make grass cutting much easier in accessible areas such as the castle banks.”

It follows the example set by Edinburgh Council, which is halfway through a five-month pilot project using robotic lawnmowers to maintain green spaces in areas such as The Mound and Princes Street Gardens.

Scotland’s capital is one of seven cities around the world taking part in the trial with the devices, which Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna believes could be a huge time and money saver in the future.

David Jamieson, parks and green space manager at Edinburgh Council, said the use of the mowers has freed up staff to focus on other aspects of maintenance.

But he insisted there were no immediate plans to introduce them permanently.

“The quality of the grass-cutting by the robotic lawnmowers is of a similar standard to mowers operated by staff,” he said.

“One benefit is the ability to service steeper, harder-to-reach slopes.

“The public have been fascinated by them, asking questions and taking photos when they see them.”

The mowers are operated using a smartphone app and are fitted with alarms and technology to disable them should they be moved without authorisation.

Sensors also detect any nearby objects – including people and animals – allowing the machines to turn away safely.