SportsVille (United States) Introduces Autonomous Robo Picker to Driving Range

This article is Reposted from THE MORNING JOURNAL. Original title is "SportsVille introduces autonomous robo picker to driving range, asks for help with name"

SportsVille Golf & Fun Zone, 37600 Center Ridge Road in North Ridgeville, has a new employee, and it needs a name.

SportsVille recently acquired an autonomous robotic ball picker, manufactured by Wayrobo.

“We’re trying to find a name for it,” said Lisa Khouton, co-owner of SportsVille alongside her husband, Mohamad. “That’s why we’re putting it up for a vote on our social media channels.”

“We are going to ask the community to help us name the robo picker.”

Golf fans and local residents can submit name ideas on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at @SportsVilleOhio.

Early name suggestions include Range Rover, Picky, Ball-E and Pickerina.

SportsVille plans to announce the winning name around Oct.16.

“It’s another tool in our toolbox as far as picking range balls goes,” Lisa Khatoun explained. “Somebody has to collect all of the balls, and the robo picker is going to be a huge help.”

The machine allows employees to program specific operational zones across the range.

The outfield is mapped into three north-south zones, along with east and west zones.

“Normally in the morning, we have two team members come in and pick the range clean with a golf cart and cut the grass,” Khatoun said. “We’ve always picked it that area. A person will still pick with a cart up to about 60 or 70 yards from the tee line because that area isn’t zoned into the robo picker.”

SOLVING MUD, RUT PROBLEMS

The SportsVille team also can establish “no-go zones” for the 3-mph robot to protect sensitive areas, such as freshly reseeded turf or deep ground ruts.

Weighing just 750 pounds — compared to the 2,000-pound ATV traditionally used — the robo picker minimizes turf compaction, Khatoun said.

“Heavy equipment on soft ground has always been a challenge in years past,” she said. “With different employees driving out, they might cross over newly seeded areas and prevent grass from growing.”

“This robo picker is much lighter, so It won’t create deep ruts or get stuck as easily, giving reseeded grass a chance to germinate.”

EXTENDING OPERATING SEASON

The automated unit also will assist with shoulder-season operations in early spring and late fall.

“There are days when picking the range in cold weather isn’t very fun,” Khatoun said. “It helps fill gaps in our schedule during March and April before our college student workers return, as well as in the fall when students head back to school or attend evening functions.”

ENHANCING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Offloading range-picking duties allows staff to spend more time engaging directly with guests on the tee line, Khatoun said.

“Instead of spending hours driving a picker, our team can focus on delivering exceptional customer service — explaining how our Toptracer Range technology works, answering questions and checking in on golfers,” she said.

While the robot handles field pickup, employees still will manually retrieve the collection baskets and process balls through the washer.

The electric unit charges overnight, runs for up to eight hours on a single charge and saves on fuel costs, Khatoun said.

Mohamad Khatoun added that safety is built into the technology.

“The robo picker utilizes LiDAR detection, light pulses and lasers to continuously map objects ahead,” he said. “If a person or obstacle enters its path, it stops automatically.”

The robot already is catching the eye of local golfers.

“It’s fascinating,” said range customer Leigh Capone. “I just noticed it a couple of days ago, and it definitely made me stop and take a look.