The official launch of the new Kress Voyager 60 robotic mower attracted significant attention at GroundsFest 2026, with visitors gathering to see the machine in action, try it for themselves, discuss its capabilities with the Kress team, and arrange demonstrations for their own sites.
Unveiled at the UK's largest-ever GroundsFest, which welcomed a record-breaking 10,664 visitors over two days, the Voyager 60 became one of the standout attractions on what many described as the Kress 'village' – a vibrant stand designed to encourage visitors to experience the latest technology first-hand.
Across the two days, grounds professionals, local authorities, contractors, sports clubs and estate managers took the opportunity to watch live demonstrations, get hands-on with the latest Kress equipment and explore how battery-powered technology and autonomous mowing can transform their operations.
The launch of the Voyager 60 followed the earlier introduction of the Voyager 40 this year and marks another significant step forward in Kress' autonomous mowing portfolio.
Positioned for ultimate productivity, the Voyager 60 has been engineered specifically for rapid, large-scale grass maintenance across expansive sites including sports facilities, council-owned land, campuses and commercial estates.
With an impressive 152 cm cutting width and the capability to maintain up to 76,000 square metres on a single charge, the Voyager 60 delivers exceptional productivity while reducing labour requirements. The machine features adjustable cutting heights from 32 mm to 140 mm, operating speeds of up to 9 mph and a powerful 38 kWh battery with an eight-hour charging time.
Advanced navigation combines nRTK positioning with LiDAR and V-SLAM technology, while 360-degree obstacle detection through LiDAR, vision and ultrasonic sensors enables the machine to operate safely and efficiently in complex environments. Offering rear discharge, mulching and side discharge options, the Voyager 60 has been developed to meet the demands of professional users responsible for maintaining large areas of turf.
Speaking at GroundsFest, Jim Kirkwood of Kress UK explained why the Voyager range represents such an important development for the industry.
"They are machines that are designed to be taken from site to site," he said. "They are the only machines accredited for Level 5 in the industry at this moment in time. That means they can be used completely autonomously, without anyone being with them. It is going to change the ability of the industry to cut grass autonomously."
The Voyager 60 was just one of many attractions on the Kress stand. Throughout the event, visitors watched demonstrations of the new Voyager alongside the Master Series robotic mower range, iPilot technology and the company's innovative 4x4 robotic mower. The demonstration stage remained busy throughout both days, with presentations showcasing the latest additions to the range as well as established favourites.
Elsewhere on the stand, visitors had the opportunity to test chainsaws, hedge cutters, brush cutters and blowers for themselves, while the ever-popular blower challenge and football challenge kept crowds entertained with prizes and Kress merchandise up for grabs. Complimentary barista coffee and award-winning pizza once again made the Kress stand a popular meeting point throughout the show.
Most importantly, GroundsFest provided the ideal setting for meaningful conversations with customers looking to adopt autonomous technology. The Kress team reported strong levels of interest in the Voyager 60, with many visitors discussing their own applications in detail and arranging on-site demonstrations following the exhibition.
Reflecting on another successful GroundsFest, Jim Kirkwood praised both the quality of visitors and the atmosphere of the event.
"GroundsFest gives people the opportunity to see products, try products and discuss exactly what they need. They are in the right environment to do that. We've had another great show, and we will be back again next year."
With record visitor numbers, constant activity across the stand and the successful launch of the Voyager 60, GroundsFest 2026 once again demonstrated why it has become a key event in the grounds care calendar and an ideal platform for Kress to showcase the future of autonomous mowing.
