Scythe debuts new generation of M.52

Scythe Robotics has released its latest generation of Scythe M.52 – its all-electric, fully autonomous commercial mower.

Notable changes include a 25% increase in battery capacity, a completely redesigned control panel and field-tested durability that together will deliver improved performance and productivity for the dozens of companies and municipalities deploying M.52 this year.

The upgraded battery technology in this generation of M.52 ensures crews can confidently tackle a full day of precision mowing on a wide variety of commercial properties. The batteries endured rigorous testing in extreme temperatures and conditions well beyond what M.52 will experience in normal mowing operations. Additional improvements also cut the charge time in half and set the stage for the future integration of the North American Charging Standard.

The new control panel improves and expands the mower’s functionality with ergonomic bar-style controls, a large touch screen that displays live status updates, and an interface for creating Mow Zones and adjusting mower settings. The companion Scythe mobile app further equips crews with enhanced tools for increased productivity and field-level intelligence, allowing for Mow Zone management, settings adjustments from a distance and communication with bilingual Scythe field support.

"In developing this generation of M.52, we’ve been laser focused on improving the things that matter most to our landscape customers: autonomous performance, reliability, and battery life,” says Davis Foster, co-founder and chief engineer of Scythe. “Our test and engineering teams have left no stone unturned in the development of this machine, which has culminated in a standout mower purpose-built for exceptional performance in both autonomous and manual operation. This is our most durable, productive mower yet, and we can’t wait to get it into the hands of more contractors than ever before.”

Following the recent expansion of Scythe's production facility, the company is set to build over 100 mowers during the 2024 season for its largest deployment to date. The new M.52 will roll out to landscape contractors across Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Ohio, with additional regions under consideration.

“Incorporating innovation like M.52 helps us address labor shortages while greatly improving our operational efficiency and service quality,” says Brian Levins, maintenance team manager at Designscapes Colorado. “By deploying M.52 mowers, we’ve been able to look at properties with big mow acreage in a different way, opening new growth opportunities. Plus, our teams see us making investments into innovations like this and they are excited to be on this journey that is improving our profession.”

The advancements of the latest generation of M.52 are the result of critical input from landscape contractors, field testing and development by the Scythe team. As demonstrated in a new video released by Scythe, test units had to tackle tough terrain, endure extreme climates, and successfully complete marathon mowing sessions while maintaining strict safety standards and superior cut quality. From vibration testing to water ingress evaluations to extreme temperature trials, each component has been meticulously evaluated to ensure optimal functionality in real-world conditions.

"This generation of M.52 is the result of our most extensive testing and development, tailored specifically to meet the needs of our landscape customers" says Robert McCutcheon, senior staff mechanical design engineer at Scythe. "We are proud to produce an innovative, durable mower that unlocks the productivity of the crew mowing with it. Our commitment to reliability and safety ensures we provide a trusted solution, while our integration of groundbreaking technology redefines commercial landscape maintenance."