The Fleet Robot Marker Preview
Staying informed about the latest innovations is essential for us as we strive to educate and engage new members in our industry. We’re fortunate to have strong relationships with many brands, including Fleet Line Markers. Fleet graciously invited us to preview their newly developed Robot line marker from their New Zealand division.
The preview took place on August 21, 2024, at Malvern College, set against the stunning backdrop of both the College and the Malvern Hills. The College was an ideal venue, conveniently located near the motorway, Fleet HQ, and the surrounding invitees.
The day began with a warm welcome, accompanied by coffee, tea, and an opportunity for attendees to network with peers. Following this, we moved to the seminar theater for the presentation portion of the event. John Carr of Fleet Australasia kicked off the proceedings, introducing the attendees and outlining the day’s agenda.
John then handed the floor to Iain Courage, Sales Director of Fleet Line Markers (UK), who provided an in-depth history of Fleet Line Markers. He traced the company’s roots back to its founding by Peter McGuffie in 1953, when it supplied a substitute for ‘Blanco’ to the British army, through to the present day with laser-guided line marking machines and a variety of paint options.
After Iain’s presentation, John Carr resumed the discussion, focusing on the development of the Robot line marker. He explained the timeline of its creation and how it operates using the RTK network and base stations. John also passed around the Robot’s tablet and Spike hardware box, demonstrating how these tools work together to mark out a sports field. A Q&A session followed, with active participation from the audience.
We then moved outside to the sports fields for the Live Robot Demonstration. Fleet had set up a football pitch marking, complete with painted logos, goodie bags, and lunch for the attendees.
Under challenging conditions with over 50 people observing and gathering around the Robot, it successfully marked out an adult football pitch in about 26 minutes. John Carr noted that this time could improve as the machine continues to be refined.
The Fleet Robot delivered on its promise, marking out a football pitch with no human intervention after setup. While there are still some adjustments to be made, this Robot has a promising future. With a price point roughly half that of other market options, it presents a compelling choice for clubs, organizations, and contractors.
We eagerly await further updates as the Fleet Robot Marker is set to launch in mid-2025. For more information, you can contact Fleet directly at Fleet Line Markers.
