Technological Developments in Landscaping: Six Innovations Shaping the Industry
Technological innovation is everywhere, and some of the most interesting areas of growth are found in areas you wouldn’t expect.
One of these areas is landscaping, an industry in which new tools have drastically altered the way professionals work to create outdoor spaces that are as beautiful as they are functional.
In this article, you’ll learn about six of the most interesting pieces of tech that are shaping the green spaces of tomorrow.
- Cordless Power Tools
Starting off with perhaps the most well-known advancement, there are cordless power tools. For decades, wires have gotten in the way of efficiency and mobility, reducing the landscape gardener’s capacity to do their best, most creative work. There were petrol-powered tools, of course, but these were often cumbersome to use and had high running costs.
The initial wave of battery-powered tools was much weaker in comparison to their corded counterparts, but these days, thanks to innovations in lithium-ion batteries, cordless models easily rival traditionally powered types. You can even get a cordless lawn mower these days, so batteries aren’t only useful for small pieces of gear!
- AI-Powered Design Software
Many of today’s landscaping innovations come from the software world rather than tools out in the field, and one such example is AI-powered design software. These sort of packages leverage the recent developments in artificial intelligence to help professionals visualize and design landscaping projects before setting things in motion for real.
The technology has the potential to significantly reduce costs and the risks associated with human error, and provide novel, human-like insight when puzzling through unique problems.
- Integration with The Internet of Things (IoT)
The IoT refers to a network of items that usually feature an array of sensors that allow them to communicate with one another, and the concept can be applied to many different industries, including landscaping.
For example, landscapers have found new and creative ways of using IoT technology to develop smart watering systems that have the ability to sense when plants have had enough water to prevent over-watering.
- Landscape Mapping Drones
Drones are becoming increasingly more important across all facets of our society, and in landscaping, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) equipped models are being used to scan a designated area with pinpoint accuracy to assess the terrain and plan projects with greater efficiency.
This innovation is particularly useful for large scale projects where it would take a long time and a lot of people to do these sorts of tasks manually. Even if the job were performed by humans, it would be prone to more error, making drones the best option all around.
Drones are also becoming popular for automated planting and fertilization, with many models being able to be equipped with seed dispersal systems to get the job done with ease.
- Eco-Friendly Measures
Advancement in technology isn’t only for making work faster and more accurate, but also more sustainable. There’s been a hugh push recently for all industries to adopt greener technology, and from advanced water collection systems to biodegradable pots and beds, the landscaping field has embraced the movement wholeheartedly.
Many of the innovations discussed above promote greener practices by default, as each new tool that’s developed typically has to go through stringent protocols to ensure that it’s not only up to task, but executes that task in a way that’s safe for the planet.
- 3D Printing
3D printing is becoming increasingly popular in landscaping for its application in a myriad of interesting ways. It can be used to design novel planters, bespoke hydroponic systems, and more generally for prototyping complex designs for everything from grand vertical garden walls to unique approaches to paving.
3D printing also has great promise so far as sustainability, as many structures can be made out of recycled materials, making for projects that aren’t only more creative, but also healthy for the planet.
Finally, there’s the money it can save; the process of printing designs in-house lowers labor expenses, cutting out the middle man and streamlining the process so that projects can be completed with fewer overheads and be implemented faster. These cost savings can then be passed onto the customer, meaning that they’re able to experience a fully customised project for less than they’d pay for off he shelf designs.
Wrapping Up
Of course, the above only represents a relatively small snapshot of the new and exciting ways landscaping the technological world is melding with the natural one; the future is bright, and as technology continues to advance, who knows how the world’s green spaces will grow and evolve?