Viking, the mowing machinery arm of German firm STIHL that is due to be fully merged into its parent by this time next year, has unveiled what it claims is a world first, with the launch of iMow TeaM – an app which allows the simultaneous control of up to ten of its iMow mowing robots. The move could see the machines begin to move from domestic and light professional grounds use towards uptake by more and more professional users, believe Viking and Stihl management.


Still sold under the Viking brand for now, STIHL has developed a ‘team’ concept for its iMow robot mower, allowing multiple units to work together

By controlling up to ten of the iMow MI 632 M mowers together, the iMow TeaM app can control the cutting of up to 4,000 square metres or more of grass, taking the technology into areas such as football pitch, golf course and park mowing.

The mowers can cut a predetermined area of grass at the same time - even at night, if required - and work independently, with STIHL and Viking suggesting this helps to overcome the difficulties of finding labour and allows more skilled staff to be freed up for other tasks. In addition, they point out that the use of multiple units can help to maintain surfaces such as football pitches within narrow time windows.

The mowers are co-ordinated by an intelligent software product, developed by Viking, which coordinates and oversees the deployment of the team. The user always has full control and access to the machines from anywhere via the free Viking app for smartphones or tablets. Self-explanatory, simple menu guidance is used to ensure operators require no prior technical knowledge, with a ‘wizard‘ guiding users through the initial installation. Once the mowing plan has been finalised, the server automatically transmits the data to the whole team.

The iMow TeaM navigates inside a perimeter wire laid out on the ground, and patterns are guided by a randomised algorithm designed to create a neat, even cutting pattern. If the robot mowers are required to devote extra attention to particular areas, up to four intensive zones, with a choice of three intensity settings, can be programmed via the app. With the aid of smart technology the machines then work more intensively on those areas.

On slopes up to 45 per cent and on difficult terrain the controller responds by throttling back. On-board sensors detect if it starts raining, the battery power drops or the job has been completed, and the robot mower then heads for a docking station where it parks under cover and recharges. Each machine can use any docking station free at the time. The docking stations can also be sited in a secure area at a distance from the area of grass to be mown, said to be especially advantageous in the case of areas of land that are accessible to all, such as public parks or football grounds.

iMow models are mulching mowers, and cutting height can be set within a range of 20 to 60mm, with finely-shredded cuttings returned to the soil as nutrients. The cutting blades are sharpened on both sides and the direction of rotation reverses regularly to ensure even wear. Sensitive lifting sensors fitted to the iMow are said to ensure instant detection when the unit is lifted up, with the blade comn to an immediate stop.