In this episode of Frankly Speaking, host Frank Rossi interviews Professor Scott McElroy from Auburn University about the evolution and future of robotic mowing in turf management. McElroy shares his journey from theater and communication studies to becoming a respected weed scientist and turf management expert. The conversation explores his early skepticism about robotic mowers when he first encountered them in Italy in 2016, working with the University of Pisa group, to becoming a leading advocate for autonomous mowing technology. McElroy discusses the different categories of automated mowers, from fully autonomous small units to semi-autonomous large systems like Firefly technology. He provides practical insights on deployment strategies, emphasizing that slopes and hills offer the quickest return on investment, sometimes paying for themselves in just seven to eight weeks. The discussion covers technical aspects including network coverage requirements, setup challenges, and the importance of proper expectations when implementing robotic systems. McElroy also addresses how increased mowing frequency from autonomous systems improves turf quality and density while potentially changing fertilization and maintenance practices. The conversation concludes with predictions about industry adoption, suggesting 2027 as a potential tipping point for widespread robotic mower implementation, and the shift from mechanical to electrical engineering skills needed in turf management.