HL D&I Halla unveils autonomous robot for golf course turf repair

HL D&I Halla has unveiled a robot that uses AI and autonomous driving technology to automatically detect and repair divot damage on golf course turf.

The company said it jointly held a field demonstration with robotics firm X-Up at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon's Songdo district on Tuesday. About 40 people attended, including representatives and operations officials from major domestic golf courses.

The robot navigates golf course fairways autonomously, identifying and repairing divots — sections of turf gouged or damaged by golf clubs. It uses AI-based image recognition to pinpoint areas requiring repair, then automatically handles the entire process from injecting repair material to leveling the surface.

During the demonstration, the robot traveled along a cart path and detected 21 divots, selecting 11 that required repair and completing the work on each. It also demonstrated obstacle detection and avoidance path generation, showing its potential for deployment in real golf course conditions.

HL D&I Halla and X-Up plan to incorporate feedback from on-site officials gathered during the demonstration to improve the robot's performance and operational efficiency. The companies are also reviewing ways to further advance the technology by integrating HL D&I Halla's drone surveying and data analysis capabilities.

Meanwhile, HL D&I Halla plans to supply the "Gyeonghuigung Epitt" apartment complex through an urban redevelopment project in the Donuimun District 2 Redevelopment Promotion Zone in Jongno-gu, Seoul. A model home opening and pre-sale are scheduled for November.