Robot case: A robot for automating the world’s driving ranges.

The robot Range Picker is at the top of many golf clubs’ wish lists. However, Range Picker is already in use at clubs like PGA Frisco in Texas, Deer Walley Golf Range in Georgia, Seve Golf Center in Rotterdam and Troxhammar GK in Sweden. In Sweden, for instance, golf is the third most popular sport, and globally there are more than 60 million golfers. Therefore, the potential for Relox Robotics – the company behind Range Picker – is enormous.

If you’re already a golfer, you probably fine-tune your swing at the driving range now and then before teeing off. And like many of us, you might think it would be beneficial to practice there a bit more. This is where automation with Range Picker comes into play. Range Picker can probably not only increase golf clubs’ profitability and sustainability but also make visiting the driving range more challenging and more fun.

Haven’t visited the driving range yet?

A driving range is a large practice area where golfers line up on one side of a vast field. Here, they hit balls to fine-tune their shots in terms of precision and distance. At golf clubs not yet using Range Picker, a small tractor occasionally goes around to collect the balls, which have landed somewhat haphazardly. The vehicles protective cage shields the driver and the vehicle from incoming golf balls, still it poses risks as driving ranges usually maintain open.

At clubs having Range Picker, you get an autonomous golf robot that takes care of collecting the balls and making them available to golfers again – without human intervention.

GPS, digital map, and automated transport & cleaning.

We went out to Österåkers Golf Club to meet Marcus Olsson, CEO of Relox, and to see Range Picker in action & experience how the automation works in practice. Marcus explains that the Range Picker is robust, making it popular not just among golf clubs but also among golfers:

“The Range Picker is equipped with GPS, a digital map, and is completely autonomous. Moreover, it’s electric, unlike today’s diesel-powered tractors. Many of Relox’s customers also choose to complement it with solar panels. This way, the Range Picker can be powered by clean electricity, making it an even more sustainable solution,” Marcus says, and continues:

“The robot is electric with a runtime of just over eight hours. During this time, it can go around and collect hundreds, if not thousands, of balls. Thanks to the GPS, no markings or physical boundaries are needed on the range.”

“When the trailer starts to fill up, the Range Picker heads to a ditch where it transfers the balls. The drop-off is the start of a complete cleaning and transport system, where the initial coarse cleaning and transport step is performed with circulating and rushing water. The transport system moves the balls along by the help of water, to a cleaning machine equipped with rotating brushes. In the next step, the balls are transported underground in the system, back to the golfers where they become available again,” Marcus continues.

The drive system of the golf robot.

“A key part of the system is the high-precision motors, and this is where Compotech come into the picture.” Marcus discusses challenges with the robot’s drive system:
“We needed help gaining full control over the robot’s movements and finding motors with millimeter precision. Along this way, Compotech helped us with analyses and simulations that ensure we have a drive system that meets all our requirements,” says Marcus, and continues:
“At Compotech you have the experience necessary for this kind of project. For us you are the partner who can handle logistics, mass production with quality control, which means that Relox Robotics can focus on our expertise – designing more smart and efficient robots.”

More robots in the pipeline at Relox Robotics.

At Compotech, we are very pleased with the great, long-term collaboration with Relox Robotics. The company’s success is important to us, and we are happy to provide our technical expertise for the further development of Range Picker and to assist Relox Robotics with their upcoming automation and robotics projects.

Want to learn more about Relox Robotics and their golf robot? Follow this link.