Taylor, Texas, Deploys Robot Mowers at City Cemetery
Public works staff freed for other projects as autonomous mowers take over cemetery grounds
Source: KVUE and City of Taylor ↗
Two autonomous mowers purchased for $59,725.42 are now running at the Taylor City Cemetery in Taylor, Texas, with the cost drawn from the Utilities budget following Taylor City Council approval at the Aug. 13 council meeting.
The Public Works Department deployed the units to free staff for other projects. The vendor, ProTurf Robotics Team, provides 24/7 remote monitoring alongside on-site cemetery staff oversight. The mowers carry GPS tracking and are geo-fenced; staff receive alerts to phones and computers when any issue arises.
Several residents raised theft concerns in public comments. The city cited the layered monitoring, GPS tracking and geo-fencing as the response.
Residents also asked whether the cemetery’s existing policy prohibiting gravesite decorations was introduced because of the mowers. The city said the policy predates the purchase by years and that families buying spaces or scheduling a funeral sign a form acknowledging it.
The city posted to its Facebook page asking residents to suggest names for the pair of mowers, with more than 200 comments submitted as of 10:40 a.m. on the day of the posting. Suggestions ranged from classic duos such as “Pancho and Lefty” and “Bonnie and Clyde” to mowing-related wordplay including “Blade and Runner” and “Mr. & Mrs. Mow-It-All.”
A public vote on the final names is planned for next month.
