Started in 2015, TinyMobileRobots is offering campus recreation a way to decrease costs and get their time back with the innovative line-painting robot.
George Devol invented the first stationary industrial robot in 1954. The Unimate was an electronically controlled hydraulic heavy-lifting arm that could replicate basic sequences.
Ultimately, it was used to complete unpleasant tasks once done by humans — i.e. remove and stacking hot metal parts in a General Motors factory.
As the robotics industry has progressed into the new century, one thing has remained true: the aim of this technology is often to free up humans from those difficult to-dos.
That’s where TinyMobileRobots enters in. It’s a robot that paints field lines for you, set-up through a tablet. No string or tape is required. Field painting becomes a one-person job with this device. In fact, the robot can paint an entire football field with hash marks in two hours — versus four hours with an entire crew — and you can create a sports field layout from scratch in as little as 30 minutes.
Past and Present
Founded in 2015, the company was born out of a research project at a Danish University. The robot was built to help efficiently and effectively paint lines on sports fields to free up valuable time for the people who once did those jobs. Now, the company looks to serve colleges and universities with this innovative robot.
“TinyMobileRobots can help campus recreation get back to being efficient,” said Gary Garrison, the executive vice president for TinyMobileRobots U.S. and Canada. “By automating the line painting process, the team can tackle other tasks around campus that may have gone unnoticed.”
Currently, the company has two versions of its TinyMobileRobot: the Pro X and Sport.
The Pro X weighs 77 pounds and has a 2.6-gallon paint jug, which can paint multiple fields without refilling. In addition, you can use the Pro X to paint any kind of logo, lettering, sponsor or emblem on your fields. This version is ideal of larger facilities and organizations that paint dozens of fields a week.
The Sport version has a 2.6-gallon paint container as well, which is perfect for a full 11v11 soccer field. In fact, it takes only 25 minutes to complete that paint job. Plus, with its light weight, the Sport is easy to transport and operate.
A United Company
With over 200 field templates offered, campus rec professionals can mark many different sporting types on their fields. In addition to the variety, Garrison noted it’s also an affordable cost of operation, a low upfront investment and decreases paint consumption.
“I would look at the robot as a member of your team,” said Garrison. “TinyMobileRobots is meant to be a solution to increasing team efficiency and productivity. By taking the time to plan out your fields on the tablet and let the robot paint, you’re now opening your team to get more done than ever before.”
Over 100 dedicated professionals see to making TinyMobileRobots’ mission a success. With locations across the globe — from Denmark to the U.S. — the company has grown since its inception.
Garrison noted the team at TinyMobileRobots and its development is what fuels him day in and day out. “Watching this team of professionals work seamlessly to bring robotic solutions to athletic fields across the country is the most fulfilling thing about my role at TinyMobileRobots,” he said.
In fact, it’s Garrison’s goal for the company to be recognized as a market leader in innovation and ease of use, combined with superior service and zero downtime. It’s a big goal, but one he feels confident in with the TinyMobileRobots team.
As the company moves into the future, Garrison and the team are looking to help more colleges and universities reduce costs, increase time and improve efficiency. And like George Devol did back in the 1950s, they hope to achieve all of this with their TinyMobileRobots.
