Automated Landscape Care Addressing a BIG Industry Challenge

INSIDE Electric Sheep Robotics

The landscaping industry has always been deeply rooted in tradition. Among the familiar scents of freshly cut grass and gas-powered trimmers, landscaping maintenance companies continue to improve their skills and pass them on to the next generation.

But within this traditional framework, a quiet revolution is brewing. It’s a shift that could change how lawns and gardens are designed, built and maintained forever. This blending of cutting-edge AI (artificial intelligence) tech- nology with age-old practices is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in landscaping.

I was fortunate to sit down with Jarrett Herold, co-founder and COO of Electric Sheep Robotics, who many consider an industry pioneer in automated landscaping. I asked him how he believes automation in lawn care will shape the future of the industry.

Embracing Change in a Tradition-Loving Industry

For decades, the landscaping industry has relied on tried-and-true methods—manual labor, fuel-powered equipment, early morning hours and a lot of sweat. But Jarrett Herold, a landscape professional, saw an opportunity to do things differently. “We wanted to bring a higher level of attention to innovation in the industry,” he tells me. This vision led to the creation of Electric Sheep Robotics, a company at the forefront of integrating AI and robotics into landscaping.

“When I moved back to the U.S., I realized how much the industry here was lagging,” Jarrett shares. “There was so much potential for the advancements in AI and machine learning to transform the way we approach our work. And what’s more is that our industry is very well positioned to leverage these advancements, since the physical work we do outdoors provides unique data sets with which to train and improve models that will ultimately drive commercialization of many different types of robots.” was still stuck in a ‘90s landscaping mentality, relying heavily on human power and back-breaking labor in brutally hot conditions for much of the season.

Europe has embraced automated lawn care for over two decades. Meanwhile, the U.S.

Jarrett’s goal? Elevating the industry. He wanted to help landscaping become more sustainable and eco-friendly and see the industry work smarter, not harder—and thrive.

The Challenges of Automation & Birth of the RAM

Introducing lawn care robots isn’t just a matter of swapping a human for a machine. It requires a rethinking of how landscaping businesses operate. He had to ask some tough questions. “If we’re going to bring intelligence to a piece of equipment, what should it be?” They soon identified mowing as a major opportunity for automated landscape maintenance of the future.

“Mowing is one of the biggest labor costs in both commercial and residential landscaping,” Jarrett explains. “By focusing on lawn care automation, we realized we could significantly reduce these costs and improve efficiency.”

The idea was to develop an autonomous mower that didn’t just replicate what humans were doing but revolutionized the process altogether with machine learning in landscaping.

This innovative thinking resulted in the development of their flagship lawn care robot,

Verdie, who they affectionately call “RAM.”

Unlike traditional mowers, which are bulky, noisy and powered by diesel, the ram is sleek, electric and smart—the representation of an “electric sheep” grazing. Were these the creatures that the robots of science fiction author Philip K. Dick dreamed about?

“Our mower knows what turf is,” Jarrett explains. “It learns as it goes, adapting to different environments and challenges, which is crucial for a successful robot lawn care service.”

But the journey to create RAM wasn’t a straight line. “We started by retrofitting existing equipment,” Jarrett says. “It was all about making incremental improvements.” But, over time, the team realized updating old machines wouldn’t cut it. They would have to build a lawn care robot from the ground up, making every component fully autonomous and integrated with AI landscaping technology.

And they’re not just stopping with a lawnmower. They’re exploring how one AI-powered lawn care robot can perform many functions, from edging to mowing to leaf blowing and cleanup through multiple fully integrated attachments.

Building the Perfect Partnership Between Human and Machine

Landscaping is an industry dedicated to its people, strengthening client relationships and small family-owned businesses. Jarrett knew there would be pushback from those who wanted to continue doing things the way they always had, especially if a new way led to massive industry layoffs and cold client relationships. No one wants that.

“There’s always a fear that robots will replace human workers,” Jarrett acknowledges. “But that’s not our vision.” Instead, he sees automation as a way to augment human labor, not replace it.

His vision is aligned with current trends in the landscaping industry. The demand for landscaping maintenance services has grown an impressive five percent per year for the last seven years. It now employs over one million people nationwide. But, as it grows, it’s becoming harder to find workers willing to meet the demands of these labor-intensive roles.

According to the National Association of Workforce Boards, 600,000-plus mostly small landscaping companies in the U.S. are competing to hire 300,000 employees each year—a number that cannot be fully satisfied by available workers. This has led many landscapers to embrace the potential for greater automation without fear of displacing humans. With landscaping AI and lawn care automation, people can work more efficiently and help small landscaping companies grow with the industry.

“Our robots handle the repetitive, back-breaking tasks, freeing up our crew members to focus on more skilled work that requires a human touch,” Jarrett suggests. This approach not only improves efficiency, but also enhances job satisfaction, allowing workers to engage in more creative and fulfilling tasks. “The goal is to automate landscaping in a way that benefits everyone— from the business owner to the customer, to the environment,” he adds.

How Will This Impact Our Landscape Businesses?

Integrating AI lawn care and greater landscaping automation will allow designers to bring more elaborate visions to life, knowing your clients, as well as your friends on the landscaping maintenance side of the industry, can cost-efficiently maintain it through automation.

During the building phase, automation in lawn care can streamline processes, especially in preparation and cleanup. A landscaping robot can handle many repetitive tasks, reducing labor costs and time to complete a project and increasing potential profits.

This technology can easily change everything, transforming how properties are managed and how many properties can be managed by one crew.

By embracing automated landscape care, businesses can enhance their service offerings across all sectors—design, build and maintain—leading to better outcomes and more satisfied customers.