Husqvarna Launches Autonomous Dew Removal Tech for Golf Courses
Summary written by AI from Golf Business News. Read the original source for this article.
A Robotic Mower Moonlights as a Dew Remover on the Green
Husqvarna is pushing the autonomous lawn mower beyond cutting grass. According to Golf Business News, the company has launched an autonomous dew removal solution for golf courses, built around the Husqvarna Automower 580L EPOS. It's a notable example of how smart mowing platforms are being adapted for jobs that have nothing to do with the blade.
How the Dew Removal Solution Works
Per the source, the system is straightforward in concept: the robotic mower's cutting disc is swapped for a purpose-built dew removal attachment. From there, golf courses can set up dedicated work areas across their greens and link them with transport paths. That lets the robot lawn mower navigate on its own from one green to the next during operation.
One detail aimed at turf protection: during transit between greens, the attachment is automatically lifted clear of the ground. Husqvarna's stated goal is to minimise the risk of cross-contamination between surfaces.
Why Dew Matters to Greenkeepers
The pitch is rooted in a familiar early-morning headache. According to the report, when dew removal is delayed or missed during daily course preparation, prolonged moisture on putting surfaces can contribute to conditions associated with fungal disease pressure and costly agronomic intervention.
Andrew Lees, Global Segment Manager at Husqvarna, said greenkeeping teams have told the company that the early-morning window is "one of the most pressured parts of the working day" and that dew removal "sits right at the centre of that." He also said dew is often present before greenkeeping teams start their shifts, adding pressure on workloads, turf health and disease risk.
Lees described the product as a "direct response to those conversations," noting that the Automower 580L EPOS is already doing meaningful work on fairways and approaches at courses around the world, and can now be part of "that critical first hour on the greens as well."
The Operational Case
Husqvarna says the attachment lets courses complete dew removal autonomously before routine maintenance begins. The company states this can support cleaner, drier and more consistent putting surfaces throughout the day.
The source says the operational benefit is expected to be most useful in the early-morning window, when staff resources are typically stretched or absent because of shift patterns. That applies to courses managing multiple greens or preparing for tournament conditions.
Tied to a Wider Disease Research Effort
Husqvarna is also taking part in a global research initiative looking at alternative strategies for managing dollar spot, which the source describes as one of the most economically significant turf diseases affecting golf courses worldwide. Key points from the report:
- The study is led by the International Turfgrass Research Initiative (ITRI).
- It is funded by the USGA, R&A and STERF.
- The research is ongoing and will use the dew removal solution as part of its work on disease management strategies across Sweden, Denmark, the United States and Germany.
- Findings will be reported separately once available and, per the source, do not constitute an endorsement of the dew removal solution by any of those bodies.
That last caveat is worth keeping in mind: participation in the study is not the same as validation of the product.
Availability
According to the source, the Husqvarna autonomous dew removal solution will be available from early 2027. Pricing and detailed technical specifications are not disclosed in the report. Husqvarna points interested buyers to its website for more information.
What This Means for You
If you run or maintain a golf course: this is a product category to watch. Husqvarna positions the solution as a way to take a time-sensitive, labor-heavy early-morning task off your crew's plate, particularly where shift patterns leave gaps. Since availability isn't until early 2027, there's time to evaluate how dedicated work areas and transport paths would fit your layout.
If you're a homeowner: this isn't a residential product, and nothing in the source suggests a home version. But it's a useful signal that a robotic mower platform can be built around interchangeable attachments, with the Automower 580L EPOS already working fairways and approaches.
If you're a landscaping pro: the story reflects a broader push by Husqvarna to extend autonomous technology beyond mowing and into the wider demands of greenkeeping, with the stated aim of reducing manual workload across daily course preparation.
FAQ
Which robotic mower does the dew removal solution work with?
According to Golf Business News, it is compatible with the Husqvarna Automower 580L EPOS. The attachment replaces the mower's cutting disc.
When will the autonomous dew removal solution be available?
Husqvarna says it will be available from early 2027. Pricing was not disclosed in the source.
Does the dew removal solution have official backing from the USGA or R&A?
No. While the solution is being used in an ITRI-led dollar spot study funded by the USGA, R&A and STERF, the source states that findings do not constitute an endorsement of the product by any of those bodies.