Autonomous mowing is often discussed as a technology story. Machines, software, navigation systems, and labor efficiency tend to dominate the conversation. But like most shifts in turf management, the real story often begins with the people who choose to study the work more closely.
For Tessa Hospod, that path began outdoors long before autonomous mowers entered the conversation.
“I pursued environmental sciences because growing up I always enjoyed working with my hands and being in the outdoors,” she says. “I never realized turfgrass management was an option until I had started my undergraduate career, but quickly found my true passion was in this area of work.”
At the University of Connecticut, that interest quickly sharpened once classroom science connected with the hands-on experience she already had in the field.
“It all really clicked for me when I took my first introductory course to turfgrass management,” Hospod explains. “I had a significant amount of field experience but didn't necessarily know the science behind it. Combining these two things strengthened my understanding and helped me become better at my job.”
Her eventual focus on autonomous mowing came almost by circumstance, and then quickly turned into something much bigger.
“My boss, Dr. Jason Henderson at UConn was starting research initiatives on autonomous mowing when I first started working for him,” she says. “I knew very little about the subject, but quickly realized there was a critical need for more research in order to facilitate the successful adoption of this new technology into practice.”
Her research explored a wide range of agronomic questions. The work examined mowing regimes, nitrogen fertility, and turfgrass species while comparing autonomous mowing systems with conventional mowing practices. The goal was to understand how these systems influence turf quality, disease pressure, and soil health.
One of the most interesting discoveries came as the research progressed.
“I was incredibly surprised by not only the significant improvements in turfgrass quality, color, density, and mowing quality that were demonstrated in this work, but also the long-term enhanced nitrogen fertility effect that was observed in our autonomous mowing regimes,” Hospod says. “Fertility treatments in our study lasted long into the summer months, which was not observed in the conventional regimes.”
Looking ahead, she believes golf courses may become one of the most creative testing grounds for the technology.
“I think golf courses may be able to utilize autonomous mowing as a cultural practice to combat problems with disease pressure,” she says. “My research has revealed positive reductions of certain pathogens in response to autonomous mowing.”
Credit: Impacts Magazine/UConn
As she wraps up her time at UConn, Hospod will remain closely connected to the technology she studied. She will be joining MTE Equipment Solutions as a sales representative, working with Husqvarna autonomous mowers and helping turf managers develop implementation plans for their facilities.
For Tessa, the most rewarding part of the journey has been seeing research move beyond the university and into the real world.
“Seeing firsthand that industry professionals make management decisions based off of research that I have been involved with is truly rewarding,” she says. “Research should always be focused on industry needs and creating innovations for end users.”
Looking back, she says she is most proud of simply following her curiosity.
“I am proud of challenging myself to pursue a master's degree in agronomy and that I followed my passions when I had uncertainty of where this career path would lead me,” she says. “I never realized how rewarding this industry could be and the amazing people I would meet along the way.”
As autonomous mowing continues to evolve, the technology will continue to attract attention. But the people studying it, questioning it, and helping shape how it is used may ultimately matter just as much as the machines themselves.
