| A MOWER which cuts the grass by itself is being | | | | on national TV and radio stations as well as most |
| marketed by a co Meath entrepreneur Patrick | | | | newspapers. Mobile phonecompanies are also coming |
| McCann. Patrick, who hails from Oldcastle, has an | | | | on board and have designed software pplications |
| impressive track record when it comes to innovative | | | | which will work with robotic mower. |
| technology. Back in 1999 he launched his own VOIP | | | | Patrick says he has been amazed by the response |
| Telco Company online. Today the VOIP industry has | | | | and his company is fast becoming a household name |
| changed the world of telecoms for ever, over 25 | | | | throughout the 32 counties, with over 3,000 systems |
| million people use VOIP services online, many internet | | | | installed in Irish homes both north and south. |
| users have heard of the VOIP giant service, Skype, | | | | So how can you delegate this onerous task to a the |
| Patrick built his own VOIP 3WTEL for over four | | | | robotlawnmower? First a visit by a technician from |
| yearsbefore selling it to USA based company. | | | | AutolawnMow will evaluate the grounds around the |
| Patrick was also one of the first to pioneer e- learning | | | | house to check if the lawns are suitable to operate an |
| technology (online computer training) in Ireland. Live | | | | automatic robotic lawn care system. Ninety per cent |
| streaming computer courses delivered straight to a | | | | of them are. Once the green area has been approved |
| home or office desktop Thus eliminating the need to | | | | the technician, using a special machine, will inject a |
| attend evening classes. | | | | nickel silver wire into the lawn to about half an inch |
| Today Patrick is enjoying the success of his latest | | | | under the surface. The wire will then be linked to a |
| venture, The Home Automatic Robotic Lawn Care | | | | base station, usually a garage, in which the robot |
| Systems. A few years ago the thought of a lawn | | | | resides while resting. The robot, travelling from one |
| mower going out by itself and mowing the lawns was | | | | lawn to another around the house, will leave them |
| nothing short of a dream. But thanks to Patrick's vision | | | | mowed to a very high standard. |
| and international research this is now a reality and his | | | | The cost of operating the system is a mere Ü7 a |
| new business AutolawnMow Ireland is taking the Irish | | | | year. It does not require petrol or oil, there are no grass |
| market by storm. | | | | clippings to collect. The mower carries a two year |
| The robotic mower has attracted considerable media | | | | guarantee and the company has systems to suit all |
| coverage since Patricklaunched AutoLawnmow | | | | lawn sizes from 1.3 to three acres. |
| Ireland, in early 2007. The mower has been featured | | | | |