Aspirus Langlade Enlists Autonomous Lawn Mowers to Support Sustainability

Antigo, WI- Aspirus Langlade Hospital recently introduced autonomous lawn mowers to support its environmental sustainability efforts. These battery-operated, self-propelled mowers are managed through an application and operate on electricity rather than gas.

Aspirus Langlade is the eighth location in the Aspirus Health system to deploy this environmentally friendly technology.  They have been implemented in Antigo on the Main Hospital and Clinic Campus, Senior Care Campus and Childcare facility. 

 “We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute positively to the health of our environment and the communities and patients we serve,” said Jason Noskowiak, Manager of  Maintenance, Facilities and Environmental Services at Aspirus Langlade. “Switching from gas-powered mowers to these autonomous mowers was an easy choice. These autonomous mowers help reduce the environmental impact of our lawn maintenance and deliver a higher value to our landscape operations and campuses.”

Aspirus Langlade joins Aspirus Wausau Hospital and the Aspirus Inc. Corporate Office as well as Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital (Portage, Wis.), Aspirus Merrill Hospital, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital and Aspirus Ontonagon Clinic as locations now operating autonomous mowers.

The autonomous mowers use navigation technology, sensors and programming to move about lawns, mow grass at the desired height and pattern, and return to a docking station for recharging. They can operate rain or shine, night or day.

“Mower performance has been strong, and we are running them right through all the recent rainstorms,” Noskowiak said. “The mowers are getting a great response from our patients and employees, too.”

The benefits of the autonomous mowers extend well beyond just entertaining onlookers. The autonomous mowers reduce air and noise pollution. They produce zero direct emissions during operation unlike gas-powered mowers that emit pollution and greenhouse gases. They are also virtually silent, dramatically cutting down on noise pollution.

Other benefits of the autonomous mowers include:
• Electric motors that are more efficient than combustion motors and require less energy and maintenance to operate.
• Lightweight bodies that don’t compact soil, allowing soil to absorb more water and reduce storm water runoff.
• Sharp blades that neatly cut grass, mulching it back into the ground and minimizing the need for fertilizers and chemicals.

“Not only do these autonomous mowers help reduce our carbon footprint, but they are also creating efficiencies for our grounds and landscape teams, making our landscaping maintenance more cost effective, enhancing the look of our campuses, and allowing maintenance staff who also provide grounds services to focus more heavily on critical assets and preventive maintenance programs within our facilities,” Noskowiak said.