STIGA Accelerates Robotics Evolution

STIGA Accelerates Robotics Evolution

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STIGA Accelerates Robotics Evolution

STIGA, leading European manufacturer and distributor of garden machinery, has announced a major multi-year innovation cycle. Backed by record R&D investments and a rapidly expanding patent portfolio, the company anticipates the launch of its next-generation robotics platform ahead of its global commercial rollout in 2027.

STIGA Accelerates Robotics Evolution

STIGA Accelerates Robotics Evolution

The groundwork for this technological surge was laid in 2025, driven by a robust double-digit year-over-year increase in the Group’s Capital Expenditure. This strategic capital allocation marked the beginning of an intensified, multi-year investment roadmap directing significant financial resources toward high-impact R&D programs across Robotics, Battery-Powered, and Professional turf technologies. This long-term commitment drives a twofold objective—enhancing STIGA’s core consumer portfolio while accelerating growth across high-performance commercial sectors.

STIGA Reveals Next-Gen Robotic Architecture

Central to this strategic push is the continued evolution of STIGA’s robotic category. Following the partnership announcement earlier this year with Silicon Valley company SiMa.ai, a leader in Physical AI technology that delivers a purpose-built, software-centric platform, STIGA previews its upcoming autonomous robot mower lineup. By combining over 90 years of garden care know-how with STIGA’s proprietary technology stack—including STIGA Active Guidance System, Vista Technology, and ePower battery—and SiMa.ai’s low-power, high-performance Physical AI, the upcoming robot range features a future-proof, scalable platform engineered for unprecedented spatial awareness, real-time obstacle navigation, and uninterrupted cutting performance.

“STIGA vision isn’t just about making smarter lawnmowers; it’s about redefining what our local customers and professional partners can expect from autonomous green care,” said James Gordon, MD of STIGA UK, “By embedding Physical AI into our core technology stack, we are creating machines that adapt, learn, and improve every time they step onto the lawn, ensuring effortless performance for years to come. Because our R&D remains laser-focused on advancing STIGA’s in-house technology suite, these robotic mowers are engineered to continuously evolve — becoming smarter, more capable, and tailored to changing consumers’ demands season after season.”

Demonstrating the direct return on this multi-year investment cycle, STIGA’s proprietary active patent portfolio grew by an extraordinary 33.5% year-over-year, reflecting a steadfast focus on internal engineering breakthroughs. In parallel, the company continues to elevate its autonomous robotics offering through ongoing software and feature enhancements designed to maximise operational efficiency and user satisfaction, including advanced remote fleet management via the award-winning STIGA.GO app (recognised with the Red Dot Design Award 2025, if Design Award 2026). Further reinforcing STIGA’s leadership in autonomous lawn care, both the current STIGA Vista robot series and the commercial-grade STIGA APX Pro platform were honoured earlier this spring with prestigious 2026 iF Design Awards for outstanding user-centric innovation, underscoring the Group’s dedication to merging cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design that makes lawn maintenance effortless.

A New Era of Autonomous Care on the Horizon

The company confirms that the commercial rollout of its next-generation autonomous robot mower range will commence in 2027, serving domestic properties as well as professional green space management. Representing a major technological leap from STIGA’s established robot mowers portfolio, this new platform is the most intelligent robotic solution ever developed by the Group, setting a new benchmark for autonomous navigation in robotic lawn care.

Full technical specifications of the upcoming lineup will be unveiled at the official public launch in 2027. For dealer inquiries, please contact your local STIGA sales representative.

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Wiedenmann GXi8 HD supports Bearsden GC's next chapter

Wiedenmann GXi8 HD supports Bearsden GC’s next chapter

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Wiedenmann GXi8 HD supports Bearsden GC’s next chapter

Following an award-winning transformation of its nine-hole course, Bearsden Golf Club is protecting its investment with a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD, delivering regular deep aeration with remarkably little surface disruption.

Wiedenmann GXi8 HD supports Bearsden GC's next chapter

Wiedenmann GXi8 HD supports Bearsden GC’s next chapter

The East Dunbartonshire club’s redevelopment, led by Project Course Manager David McBride, included new greens, improved drainage, irrigation and extensive remodelling, earning the team finalist recognition in the 2026 BIGGA Greenkeeping Project of the Year Awards.

Purchased alongside an ISEKI TG6507 tractor, the Terra Spike came with three sets of tines — 8 mm, 12 mm and 20 mm — to accommodate a comprehensive aeration programme across greens, fairways, semi-rough and approaches. Wiedenmann UK’s Lead Demonstrator, Andy Kerr carried out the installation training and handover alongside Fairways GM Area Sales Manager, Stuart Cameron.

“We’re planning around five treatments a year on greens, five or six on fairways and five on aprons,” explained David. “We’ve already been across all the fairways and semi-rough three times, making the most of suitable weather windows. We’ve gone through a complete set of 20 mm tines, which shows how much work it’s done.”

The club’s new greens have a 300 mm sand cap, but even David was surprised by the finish following their first summer aeration.

“We used the 8 mm tines and, without exaggeration, there was virtually no surface disruption. You genuinely wouldn’t have known a tractor and deep aerator had been across the greens. We could probably have got away without rolling, but gave them the lightest of irons. The finish was impressive.”

He is equally enthusiastic about the machine’s engineering and ease of operation.

“The tines go in smoothly and come out cleanly. There’s no clinking or banging, just steady, controlled operation. Getting the speed and depth right is important, but adjustments are so straightforward. No spanners, no fuss. If you’re approaching stonier ground, you can quickly alter the depth and return to your original setting afterwards.”

The Terra Spike’s next task is the club’s extensive approaches, with green complexes sometimes stretching 50 metres from the hole.

With brand new pop-up sprinklers and service boxes throughout the redesigned course, preparation is essential. David, or a team member mark these in advance so the operator can work confidently around the irrigation infrastructure.

“In time we will know exactly where all these hazards are…”  David also praises the compatibility of the ISEKI TG6507 the GXi8 HD. “I’ve used all sorts of tractors and aerators, and some combinations feel awkward when lifting and travelling between areas. The ISEKI and Wiedenmann are a perfect fit. It’s a really confident pairing, both in transport and when you’re aerating.”

For Bearsden, the Terra Spike is now an integral part of maintaining the standards achieved through its ambitious redevelopment, allowing regular aeration while keeping disruption to playing surfaces and golfers to a minimum.

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TLS x Rhenac Confirmed as Platinum Sponsor of GroundsFest Academy

TLS x Rhenac Confirmed as Platinum Sponsor of GroundsFest Academy

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TLS x Rhenac Confirmed as Platinum Sponsor of GroundsFest Academy

The GroundsFest Academy has confirmed TLS as its newest Platinum Sponsor, adding further industry strength to the Academy’s range of sponsors and partners as it continues to expand its training offering for the groundscare sector.

TLS x Rhenac Confirmed as Platinum Sponsor of GroundsFest Academy

TLS x Rhenac Confirmed as Platinum Sponsor of GroundsFest Academy

The sponsorship comes at a pivotal time for the Academy, as demand for structured, industry-relevant training continues to grow among those entering and progressing within groundscare and turf management careers. TLS x Rhenac support will help the Academy deliver quality education and support to natural and hybrid sports turf facilities in the maintenance of high-quality playing surfaces in challenging environments, including stadiums with limited daylight, shaded areas, retractable roofs and intensive event schedules.

Bradley Tennant, Director of Education at The GroundsFest Academy said: “TLS x Rhenac’s decision to back the Academy speaks to the strength of what we’re building here. Their support will help us keep raising the bar for what training in this industry looks like.”

Mark Sinnett, General Manager of TLS, added: “A pitch is a living system. It changes with the weather, the season and how it is used, so technology alone is not the answer. You also need agronomic knowledge and practical experience to understand what is happening and respond in the right way. That has always been our approach at TLS x Rhenac, and it is why the GroundsFest Academy felt like such a natural fit.”

With TLS now on board, GroundsFest Academy’s Sponsor and Partner network continues to grow, underlining the level of industry confidence in the Academy’s approach to developing the next generation of groundscare talent.

For more information about GroundsFest Academy, visit www.groundsfestacademy.com. For more information about TLS, visit https://ra-tls.com.

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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