Innovation in Action
Imagine a fairway mower that drives itself. A GPS-guided sprayer that’s so precise it automatically turns individual nozzles on and off to virtually eliminate overlap. A battery-powered commercial mower that can power through grass from dawn till dusk. Or software that lets a landscape contractor manage their equipment, staff and invoicing in one convenient place.
This isn’t just a vision for the future. It’s what’s happening now at Toro.
At Toro, innovating for the future is part of who we are. It’s been at the core of our culture since 1914, and it’s how we became the company we are today. After more than 100 years of industry firsts and thousands of product and technology patents, we know what it takes to stay ahead of the curve. And we’re on a mission to keep breaking new ground for the customers we serve.
We don’t just make products. We solve problems.
For us, innovation isn’t just about big ideas; it’s about creating useful solutions that deliver real value. We’re committed to making our customers’ lives better and their jobs easier by helping them increase productivity and efficiency.
It’s a customer-centric approach.
We’re continually evolving with and for our customers. That starts with listening to them and understanding their business. From sharing their challenges and unmet needs to testing prototypes in the field, our customers are true partners in the process. As a result, our innovations are based on deep market knowledge most tech startups don’t have.
We apply technology holistically.
When customers choose Toro, they get more than individual products. They have access to a complete suite of solutions that work together. From powerful lithium ion battery products that share interchangeable batteries to business software that helps them work more efficiently, customers can count on us for an ecosystem with technology at the core.
Setting the standard for what’s next.
Driven by these principles, a dual transformation is underway at Toro as we enhance the products our customers depend on now and create the solutions they need for the future. This transformation includes a strategic focus on three key areas: alternative power, autonomous solutions and smart connected products. Here’s a glimpse of what’s new and what’s ahead.
ALTERNATIVE POWER AND ELECTRIFICATION |
Toro has a full suite of lithium-ion battery-powered products for homeowners to care for their landscapes — as well as hybrid and battery-powered products for golf courses, sports fields and grounds, and battery-powered commercial equipment for professional landscapers and construction contractors.
These products represent a new generation of battery technology, delivering impressive power and charge life for those who want the benefits of electric equipment without compromising on performance. Our electric products are engineered to deliver the superior results, ease of use and productivity-boosting efficiency customers have come to expect from our traditional fuel products.
To further support our commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable practices, our development team is also working on recycling and alternative use opportunities for lithium-ion batteries. This includes a battery recycling partnership at mass retailers for homeowner products, and exploring second-life opportunities for HyperCell™ batteries in commercial applications.
AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS |
The Toro Company is fully committed to driving autonomous solutions in the markets we serve to increase productivity, deliver more consistent results and alleviate some of the challenges our customers face. That includes developing a variety of autonomous solutions for golf and commercial applications and beyond.
These solutions are targeted at enabling our customers to do more with less as they face ongoing labor challenges. Our goal is not to replace labor with autonomous products, but to allow staff to focus where they’re needed most — doing more detailed work that requires more skill and decision-making.
As we continue developing autonomous solutions, we’ll be looking at how this technology can be used to provide better experiences at various levels of autonomy — not just in fully autonomous machines, but also in autonomous subsystems or functions on our products.
SMART-CONNECTED PRODUCTS |
Smart technology is now part of everyday life, enabling people to manage their homes and devices from anywhere in the world. As we develop new innovations, we not only consider how smart technology can enhance an individual product, but how we can build an entire ecosystem around it. The application depends on the customer, but a connected ecosystem can make a big difference for commercial customers who need to manage people and resources efficiently to get the job done each day.
A strong foundation for moving forward.
As we look ahead, our technology roadmap is built on key strategies that enable us to be nimble yet smart decision-makers. An important part of that roadmap is a team that’s dedicated exclusively to exploring opportunities for innovation.
The Toro Company’s Center for Technology, Research and Innovation (CTRI) supports research and development across the enterprise and our global portfolio of brands. The CTRI team works on behalf of all our markets and customers to investigate emerging technologies and generate ideas that solve problems in ways that are both novel and useful. Comprised of leading agronomists and engineers, this group has been influential in the development of products that increase productivity, save water, reduce fuel consumption and improve growing conditions. The CTRI team has also laid the foundation for future innovations in robotics, fuel cells, advanced battery technologies and precision site management.
Investing in the future.
In addition to the work of the CTRI team, we invest in talent and teams to support growth. We're committed to building a future-ready team to position the company for success and better serve our customers. Intentional acquisitions also add technologies, talent and expertise to our brand portfolio to accelerate development in the areas where we’re invested. Plus, our teams are collaborating across the company in new and exciting ways to share knowledge and resources.
Doing what’s right.
Another key component of our roadmap is timing. When it comes to innovation, we don’t rush to market; we take the time to get it right. No solution is ready until it has been field-tested, engineered and refined to ensure it meets the highest standards of performance, reliability and safety. Because of the strength of our local support and reputation for quality and durability, customers look to our brands for innovations they can trust. They know they’re not just getting a product, they’re getting a relationship — and that’s a key driver to choose our brands when they adopt new technologies.
Curious about what’s new at Toro?
Get a pulse on the latest innovation headlines from Toro by visiting Toro Newsroom.