Robotics Ascending – Sunseeker Elite X7 Earns AGZA AFTC Certification

For a condensed version of this story,
please download the PDF press release.

The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) is just getting started with Sunseeker Robotics. AGZA has completed extensive field evaluations and real-world operational testing of the Sunseeker X7 Gen 1, X7 Gen 2, and X7 Plus Gen 2 autonomous mowers across multiple regions of the United States. Additional Sunseeker models are also included in AGZA’s future roadmap for AFTC field testing and certification.

Testing was conducted in diverse operational environments ranging from Walnut, California, to Boulder, Colorado, Auburn University in Alabama, Florida and other locations throughout the U.S. The evaluations assessed mower performance across varying turf types, terrain conditions, workload demands, and climate zones to better understand real-world operational capabilities and long-term commercial viability.

AGZA has established a testing and evaluation framework for commercial robotic mowers that measure not just mowing performance, but also operational reliability, labor savings, safety, connectivity, and total cost of ownership. End users care about economic and workload feasibility outcomes. 

The multi-region testing approach provided AGZA with comparative performance data across varying environmental and operational conditions representative of institutional and commercial landscape maintenance applications.

Through AGZA’s AFTC testing protocols, detailed case studies are developed to ensure the industry receives accurate, reliable, and independently verified information supported by documented field performance and substantiated operational data. These evaluations are intended to help landscape professionals, institutions, municipalities, and commercial operators make informed decisions regarding the implementation and long-term viability of emerging battery-electric and autonomous maintenance technologies. 

Over 2500 hours of use were logged and independently verified by AGZA on a total of seven mowers in various locations throughout the U.S. These locations included college campus grounds, commercial company routes on private and commercial properties, using real-world operating conditions.

Deployment locations included California, Colorado, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.

Deployment Examples:

Eco Conscious – Boulder, Colorado

Sunseeker X7 Gen 1 and X7 Plus Gen 2 – AGZA AFTC Testing and Evaluation Summary

Eco Conscious, an AGZA Certified Service Pro company and is a leader in sustainable landscape maintenance serving Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, and surrounding Front Range communities. They participated in AGZA’s rigorous real-world evaluation of the Sunseeker X7 Gen 1, X7 Gen 2, and X7 Plus Gen 2 robotic mowing platforms.

Conducted on cool-season turf varieties typical of Colorado’s challenging heavy clay soils—which often lead to compaction and stress under traditional equipment—the lightweight Sunseeker mowers demonstrated clear advantages. They delivered consistent, high-quality cuts while significantly reducing soil compaction and turf damage.

Founder Martyn Church and Operations Manager Josh Fountain noted that the primary hurdle was occasional RTK satellite signal limitations due to the region’s mountainous terrain and rock formations. Once connectivity was optimized, the mowers operated reliably with no major issues. After a smooth initial implementation and training phase, Eco Conscious fully integrated the platform into daily operations and has since expanded robotic operations across Boulder and Larimer Counties.

Encouraged by the performance and user experience of the X7 Plus Gen 2, Eco Conscious continues to evaluate and deploy additional Sunseeker autonomous solutions to help meet workload demands while enhancing client satisfaction.

Eco Conscious indicated early deployment results project a strong return on investment within two years, alongside measurable gains in operational efficiency.  

Rather than replacing team members, this technology directly addresses labor shortages, enabling a more sustainable, scalable, and resilient business model for the future of commercial landscaping in Colorado’s demanding environment.

Mt. San Antonio College – Walnut, California

Sunseeker X7 Gen 1 and X7 Plus Gen 2 – AGZA AFTC Testing and Evaluation Summary

Mt. San Antonio College is no stranger to battery-electric operations and robotic technology. More than three years ago, the college became an AGZA Green Zone Certified® Level 2 campus. AGZA Level 2 standards require all routine handheld equipment and mowing operations to be completed without the use of gas-powered equipment.

Mt. San Antonio College, a close and trusted AGZA collaborator, helped us conduct no nonsense independent testing and evaluation of the Sunseeker X7 Elite Series. The X7 Gen 1 had its share of teething challenges, but has since been remedied by software updates, position changes of antennas, as well as dedicated and responsive support from the Sunseeker team.

Mt. San Antonio College gave AGZA valuable insights for improvement and Sunseeker developed the X7 Gen 2, and X7 Plus Gen 2. Below are the recent results of the X7 Plus Gen 2.

• Initial setup process was quick and seamless 
• Minimal effort required after initial turf mapping 
• Daily mowing operations have required little to no manual intervention 
• Currently maintaining 4 separate designated lawn areas 
• Mowing schedule operates 7 days per week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Total operational statistics since deployment: 

• 79 total mowing hours
• 45 completed mowing tasks 
• 6.38 total acres maintained
• Demonstrated strong connectivity and reliable communication with the base station 
• Improved setup and connectivity process compared to previous model Sunseeker X7 Gen 1 which operated for approximately 60 hours before replacing it with the Gen 2 model

Operational Performance of the X7 Plus Gen 2 has exceeded expectations. It successfully navigates a travel corridor approximately 330 feet from the charging station. It maintains signal and operational consistency while traveling between buildings and under shaded canopy conditions.

There have been no operational failures or issues requiring immediate staff intervention, autonomous obstacle management has performed well during event operations, and the mower consistently maneuvers around temporary tables, chairs, and event setups left in place for multiple days. 

Overall Assessment

The Sunseeker X7 Plus Gen 2 has demonstrated reliable autonomous mowing performance with minimal operational oversight required. The platform has shown strong navigation capability, stable connectivity, and effective obstacle avoidance in complex campus conditions. Its ability to consistently maintain multiple lawn areas on a daily schedule while operating around temporary event infrastructure highlights its practicality as a dependable robotic mowing solution for institutional grounds maintenance operations.

Ruben Flores Manager | Maintenance & Operations Facilities Planning and Management

Auburn University Testing Collaboration – Alabama & Florida

Sunseeker X7 Gen 1 – AGZA AFTC Testing and Evaluation Summary

AGZA and Auburn University collaborated to evaluate three Sunseeker X7 Gen 1 autonomous mowers, Two (2) units deployed in Alabama at Auburn University and one (1) unit deployed in Florida in partnership with the University of Florida.

The testing program remains active and is expected to continue for years as AGZA, and its university partners collect long-term operational performance data under real-world conditions.

Auburn University’s Dr. Paul Bartley, Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture, has played a significant role in the evaluation process through detailed testing methodologies, meticulous data collection, and comprehensive operational feedback. 

The ongoing university-based testing is intended to provide independently verified research and field analysis regarding the long-term performance, durability, turf impacts, operational efficiencies, and commercial viability of autonomous mowing technologies within institutional landscape maintenance environments.

Auburn University location

The turf being maintained at the first Auburn University location was Bermuda grass. The cutting height was set at one to one and a half inches. This allowed the mower to cut off one fourth to a half an inch of turf during mowing. 

The second mower was placed to maintain mixed warm season turf. The cutting height was set to two and a half inches where the turf was three to four inches in height. This allowed the mower to cut a fourth to half an inch of grass. 

With the X7 Gen 1, the university experienced some early implementation and operational challenges during the evaluation process, particularly related to software updates and connectivity requirements. Because updates needed to be performed over Wi-Fi, some test locations found the process difficult when reliable field connectivity was unavailable through mobile hotspots. In certain cases, the mower and antenna had to be relocated to access Wi-Fi, which then required maps and configurations to be re-established. 

Initial app inconsistencies and other user acclimation challenges were addressed with Sunseeker app updates and exceptional customer service. All involved view these independent testing deployments as a way to give manufacturers both positive and constructive feedback so they can adjust or make changes that benefit our industry. 

Professor Bartley stated that the updates over the year brought significant quality of life improvements to the mowers which were challenging to maximize their use when testing first started. The striping feature was a great addition to the cutting configuration. Noted was the improved mapping and corridors planning. The overall user experience was improved with the newer version of the Sunseeker app. The team noted improved mechanics when making turns around hard structures or screened in patios.

Also observed with the X7 Gen 1 mower was when the turf was heavily fertilized in warm temperatures, watered daily, and growing fast, it became dense and challenging for the mower at times. Power and clipping distribution was strained and had an impact on delivering a perfect aesthetic. Also noted was performance constraints when turf was wet from morning dew or rain.

These observations provided valuable feedback and helped identify areas where future software and operational enhancements could further improve the user experience and overall system reliability. 

AGZA AFTC testing and evaluation is meant to help the industry make informed purchasing decisions which lead to return on investment and enhanced profitability. We strive to help manufacturers identify areas of improvement and work through those developments to ultimately offer the industry superior products they can rely on.

University of Florida

The third mower was deployed at the University of Florida Turf grass Research Station in Gainesville, Florida. According to the app, the mower covered a total of 22.56 acres and operated over a 66-day period between March 18 and October 12, 2025. The primary work area was approximately 0.25 acres, although both smaller and larger zones were included during portions of the evaluation.

The test plots consisted of 10,000 square feet of St. Augustine grass, one of the coarsest and widest-bladed turf grass species. A small solar panel station was also incorporated into the testing area to evaluate navigation performance around fixed structures.

The mower demonstrated reliable navigation capabilities throughout the trial and successfully operated within the solar panel area with minimal issues. This provided valuable insight into the system’s ability to work in environments containing obstacles and infrastructure.

Cut quality ranged from average to good under favorable conditions, and poor under challenging conditions. The evaluation also identified practical challenges associated with antenna connectivity for software updates in a remote field settings. These experiences provided valuable feedback that can help improve deployment, connectivity, and maintenance procedures for future installations.

Evolution and Improvement – Taking Ownership

Throughout the AFTC evaluation process, the AGZA team engaged in productive discussions with Sunseeker North America and observed a clear commitment to continuous improvement, product reliability, and long-term innovation. The company demonstrated a willingness to embrace feedback, address challenges, and take ownership of opportunities for refinement identified during testing.

AGZA noted Sunseeker’s focus on advancing technology while ensuring practical value for landscape professionals. This commitment to evolution and accountability reflects the type of manufacturer engagement that helps drive meaningful progress across the industry.

As Justin Novosel, EVP & GM of Sunseeker North America states, “Sunseeker is committed to delivering innovative robotic lawn mowers that meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and sustainability. Pursuing AGZA (American Green Zone Alliance) Field Tested Certification demonstrates our commitment to providing commercial and residential users with equipment that has been independently evaluated for real-world reliability, productivity, and environmental performance.”

Doug Suessegger, Vice President of Sales and Marketing shared plans to further relationships with clients into partnerships:

“Sunseeker Elite is a brand built for landscapers and the dealer channel. We believe robotics will reach its fullest potential in North America only by building lasting, exclusive partnerships with the dealers and landscape professionals who bring this technology to life in the field.”

As Sunseeker’s Director of Technical Services David Goff explained, “We want to bring the most current and relevant technology options that are driving robotics and automation. While we deeply respect our competition, Sunseeker expects to be one of the brands the industry will consider for their automation needs.”

This includes creating customized learning material for different regions of the United States, each region with their own set of requirements. Educating clients to become experts at the mowers in their possession, meaning they are able to understand each part. The goal is for there to be nothing on the mower that they cannot fix, through step-by-step guides, dealer support, or call in assistance. 

AGZA congratulates Sunseeker AFTC Certification for the X7 Series. When responsible and ethical assessment, deployment, adequately trained operators, and strong aftermarket support exist, industry customers have a high likelihood of workload and economic success.