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The future of autonomous mowing

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The future of autonomous mowing: Leading specialist in battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO Power+, is launching ‘AURA-R2’, its next-generation, wire-free robotic mower range available from March this year. 

A unique entry to the domestic market, AURA-R2 features PATH IQTM intelligent navigation, EGO’s proprietary fusion navigation stack of three technologies that work together. The first, RTK GPS, provides absolute accuracy using satellite data and correction signals, VSLAM enables the mower to visually map and localise itself based on what it sees through its binocular camera and VIO enables the mower to track real-time movements using motion sensors for enhanced safety. Together, this fusion allows the AURA-R2 to operate with precision and reliability, moving in planned patterns, even in complex environments.

The future of autonomous mowing

The future of autonomous mowing

Equipped with AI vision for obstacle avoidance, the AURA-R2 is also capable of distinguishing between static and dynamic objects and adjusting its working plan accordingly, making it an ideal solution for families with small children or households with pets. The addition of built-in lights ensures effective obstacle detection even in low-light or night-time conditions, while a 180-degree front bumper adds an extra layer of protection in tight spaces.

Andrew Frohock, IoT Product Manager for EGO Power+, said: “The AURA-R2 range represents a major step forward in robotic mowing. By combining wire-free installation, our PATH IQTM navigation, advanced safety systems and deep user customisation, we are proud to be introducing such a high-precision, fully autonomous mowing solution that adapts effortlessly to the needs of modern gardens.

“AURA-R2 is designed to give customers their time back, whether that’s for other jobs in the garden or simply enjoying the weekend, while also improving lawn quality. And with regular mowing and mulching, it helps keep the lawn looking consistently neat and healthy. Designed with the user in mind, homeowners can manage their mowing schedule from anywhere and at any time, via the EGO Connect app. Users can also adjust mowing direction, cutting height, mowing modes, and customise lighting and voice settings to make it their trusted helper.”

The machine houses a simple screen interface to display battery level, mowing progress and connection status, with all controls being handled via the EGO Connect App. Security features include a user-defined PIN, GPS tracking, geofencing alerts and remote lock functionality to help deter theft and provide peace of mind.

The mower can receive its GPS positioning data either via a local RTK antenna installed on the property for precise navigation, or through EGO’s network RTK service, which removes the need for on-site antenna hardware and is ideal for users wanting to quickly self-install. However, this service is not available in all regions at launch. Once the RTK GPS is configured, users can map up to 40 mowing zones on their lawn.

Designed for domestic users with medium to large-sized lawns, the AURA-R2 range includes three models –the RMR1500E, the RMR3000E and the RMR6000E – and covers lawns of 1,500, 3,000 and 6,000 square metres respectively. Engineered to handle real-world garden challenges, the cutting height is electronically adjustable from 20–90mm in precise 5mm steps, while the advanced system of the PATH IQTM intelligent navigation allows the AURA-R2 to maintain an efficient working path across slopes with inclines of up to 50%.

To encourage turf health and appearance, grass clippings are finely mulched and returned to the lawn. All three models are IP66 rated, making them weather-resistant and easy to clean with a pressure washer, while a dedicated rain sensor allows the mower to automatically park during wet conditions.

With prices starting from £1,799, all AURA-R2 models feature fast charging and efficient coverage, capable of mowing up to 3,000m² within 24 hours.

To learn more visit: https://www.egorobotmowers.eu/en-gb

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Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year

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Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year: GMA NextGen is proud to announce that its Co-Chair, Meg Lay, has been named Young New Zealander of the Year at the prestigious Waitangi Day Gala Ball, held at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel in London. 

The award was presented by the His Excellency Hamish Cooper, NZ High Commissioner to the UK, Rachel Glucina, President of The New Zealand Society, and Richard Dawson the Head of ANZ Bank UK & Europe, and recognises outstanding young Kiwis making a meaningful impact both abroad and at home.

Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year

Meg Lay Named Young New Zealander of the Year

As part of the honour, Meg was presented with a korowai, a traditional Māori cloak symbolising mana and respect, along with a personal letter from the Prime Minister of New Zealand, in which he said: “What a fantastic achievement: from farming in Christchurch to being the first female grounds woman at Lords ‘s Cricket Ground. You should be rightly proud of your achievements,”

Meg was selected for her groundbreaking contributions to the grounds management industry, including becoming the first female groundsperson at Lord’s Cricket Ground and her leadership in forming the first all-female grounds team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Her work as part of GMA NextGen has also been instrumental in promoting innovation and inclusivity within the profession.

The selection process for the prestigious award was highly competitive, with nominations evaluated by a distinguished panel including the NZ High Commissioner to the UK, President of The New Zealand Society and Head of ANZ Bank UK & Europe. Meg’s achievements and leadership stood out among the candidates.

“It is an incredible honour to be recognised in this way,” said Meg Lay. “Receiving the korowai and a letter from the Prime Minister was deeply moving. I am proud to represent New Zealanders making a difference around the world, and I hope this inspires more young people to pursue careers in grounds management.”

The Waitangi Day Gala Ball is an annual celebration of New Zealand culture, heritage and excellence, bringing together the Kiwi community in the United Kingdom. This year’s event highlighted the achievements of the next generation of New Zealanders on the global stage.

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EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

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EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor: Synthetic bunker edge pioneers EcoBunker have appointed Charlie Taylor to the position of Technical Sales Manager in a move that is set to strengthen the relationship between the brand and its customers.

Taylor began his career at Gillingham Golf Club where he qualified as a greenkeeper. After 3 years at Gillingham, he moved into generalist grounds care before starting his own grounds maintenance business. Having undertaken a number of projects in collaboration with EcoBunker, when the opportunity to join the business arose, Taylor could not turn down the opportunity.

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

“It was obviously a tough decision to close my business, but the chance to return to my roots in golf and to work with a brand that I truly believe in was too good an opportunity to miss,” said Taylor upon the announcement of his appointment. “With a superb range of bunker edge technology, bunker liners, lake edging and now LOKSAND, EcoBunker is growing at pace. I’m delighted to be part of the team and look forward to helping drive the business forward to the next level.”

Taylor’s role will see him manage customer relationships, ranging from project consultations and quotations, to supervising installations and ensuring quality and longevity of installations. Wherever a customer needs input from EcoBunker, Taylor will manage relationships so that customers have quick access to the answers they need.

“We have a superb product and our installations are second to none, but we needed someone with a detailed technical knowledge and a fantastic talent for customer service to strengthen the team and manage a rapidly increasing number of leads and enquiries,” commented CEO Richard Allen. “Having worked closely with Charlie on several projects, we were absolutely thrilled that he wanted to join us. He has the perfect blend of skills for the role and we can’t wait to see the service he delivers for our customers and the impact that he has on the business.”

Taylor has been in position since the end of January, where he helped introduce EcoBunker’s latest innovation – pre-cut synthetic tiles – alongside the first showing of LOKSAND to the U.K. market. For more information on working with EcoBunker or to arrange a visit to your venue, please contact charlie.taylor@ecobunker.co.uk or visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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BIGGA unveils new initiatives to Elevate the game of golf

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BIGGA unveils new initiatives to Elevate the game of golf: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) used its annual education conference and trade show in Harrogate to announce a series of new initiatives aimed at elevating standards across the game of golf.

The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) represents the association’s ‘championship week’ and provides a platform for the industry to come together from all corners of the globe. In 2026, it also provided an opportunity to clearly articulate what BIGGA exists to do and how it intends to support the profession as it continues to evolve.

BIGGA unveils new initiatives to Elevate the game of golf

BIGGA unveils new initiatives to Elevate the game of golf

BTME once again attracted exhibitors, speakers and visitors from across the UK and overseas, reflecting the global reach of the event and its profile within the turf management industry. Across the exhibition halls, the Continue to Learn education programme and networking spaces, the week showcased innovation, collaboration and best practice throughout the sector.

Across three show days, 4,567 visitors walked through the doors of Harrogate Convention Centre, representing an 8.7% increase on last year. Visitors stayed for an average of 1.60 days, up from 1.56 in 2025.

A new strapline to underpin the association’s work was also revealed by BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton: ‘We support greenkeepers through education, recognition and community to enhance course quality and to continually elevate the game of golf.’ BTME provided a clear demonstration of that purpose in action.

“BTME is our championship week and a moment to set out, clearly and confidently, what BIGGA exists to do,” said Croxton. “Everything we do is rooted in supporting greenkeepers through better education, stronger professional communities and meaningful recognition. When we do that well, standards on the ground improve, course quality rises and the game itself benefits.”

Croxton outlined a series of developments designed to provide greater long-term support for greenkeepers. Central to that work is a restructured education and training pathway, setting out clear progression from entry level through to course management, underpinned by BIGGA’s status as a Lantra Customised Training Provider.

That accreditation allows the association to deliver bespoke, industry-specific training that is independently quality assured while remaining directly aligned to the practical realities of greenkeeping.

Alongside education, BIGGA is modernising its membership offer to better reflect the way clubs and facilities now operate. This includes the introduction of more flexible membership options, expanded welfare support, and a strengthened approach to professional recognition.

As part of that, BIGGA has reached agreement with STRI Group to manage the popular Golf Environment Awards, ensuring environmental excellence is fully integrated into its awards programme and continues to be recognised as a core component of modern course management.

“These initiatives are not standalone announcements,” Croxton added. “They form a connected programme of work that reflects where the profession is now and where it needs to go next. Our focus is on providing clear pathways, relevant support and a sense of belonging for greenkeepers at every stage of their careers.”

Education remained a cornerstone of the week through BIGGA’s Continue to Learn programme, which provided a wide-ranging schedule of learning opportunities. In total, 5,877 hours of education were delivered, with bookings up more than 7% on 2025’s record turnout.

Designed to support professional development in a modern, practical and progressive way, Continue to Learn reflects BIGGA’s wider ambition to provide a coherent education pathway that supports progression from entry level through to course management.

Recognition also played a central role, with the BIGGA Celebration once again highlighting outstanding achievement across the profession. The awards shone a light on the dedication, resilience and professionalism of greenkeeping teams and individuals, reinforcing the value of their work to clubs, facilities and the wider game.

A further highlight was BIGGA Elevates, which brought together more than 50 women from across the industry for an event focused on visibility, connection and shared experience. Engagement continued beyond the room, with more than 35 participants joining the BIGGA Elevates WhatsApp community as the initiative begins its next phase of development.

Lauren Frazer, BIGGA’s Head of Commercial and Marketing, said the response demonstrated both appetite and momentum for continued progress.

“The turnout and engagement were hugely encouraging,” she said. “We heard inspiring stories, made valuable connections and opened up important conversations. This is very much the beginning for BIGGA Elevates, and we are already working on what comes next as the initiative continues to evolve alongside the support of the wider industry.”

BTME provided a clear statement of intent from BIGGA, reinforcing a cohesive strategy that will define the association’s direction of travel in the coming years. With membership at its highest level for more than two decades, the focus is on continuing to broaden the association’s reach and its impact.

Further detail on initiatives outlined during BTME will follow in due course as the association builds on the momentum generated during another landmark week in Harrogate.

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STIHL marks century with host of celebrations

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STIHL marks century with host of celebrations: The world’s best-selling chainsaw brand, STIHL, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Since 1926, STIHL has defined the global standard for battery and petrol-powered forestry, landscaping, and residential gardening equipment for professional and domestic users alike.

Built to make work in nature easier, STIHL began as a one-man operation in a Stuttgart workshop. Today, it stands as an internationally renowned leader in dual technology solutions. The family-owned company, rooted in petrol-powered products, celebrates its centennial by continuing to lead innovation across both petrol and battery-powered technologies.

STIHL marks century with host of celebrations

STIHL marks century with host of celebrations

To mark the milestone, STIHL will host a range of celebrations in Great Britain and across its global network throughout the year. To kick off, STIHL will pay tribute to the famous MS 500i, the world’s first mass-produced petrol chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection, by launching a centennial edition of the model. The tool achieves an impressively low power-to-weight ratio of 1.24 kg/kW and features an elegant black design and distinctive centenary detailing. Remaining true to the performance of the original, the special edition model continues to set the benchmark for demanding forestry applications and will be available to buy later in the year from selected dealers.

Additionally, STIHL will run a series of competitions on its social channels throughout the year to reward its loyal customers and help them share in the celebrations.

Taking place at its Contra House headquarters on 25th June, STIHL will also host a special dealer conference with dedicated awards ceremony, recognising its valued dealer network. The STIHL 100 Awards will shine a spotlight on star dealers, acknowledging the contribution they make to the brand’s continued success.

Dr. Nikolas Stihl, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Advisory Board of STIHL, said: “Any company that reaches the grand old age of 100 hasn’t got there by relying on tradition alone.”

“It can only stay successful for a century if it knows its roots, while also recognising when it’s time to start a new chapter. With that in mind, our anniversary is not just a time to look back, but also a moment to recognise the strength that comes from our combination of heritage, engineering expertise, and the courage to innovate.”

For more information on STIHL products, visit www.stihl.co.uk or contact your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

Find out more about STIHL’s historic milestone, here: https://100.stihl.com

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