Golf, football and outdoor environments: how sudden impacts affect robotic lawn mower protection

Sports impacts on robotic lawn mowers caused by golf balls and footballs are more common than one might think in real outdoor settings — whether in gardens, practice areas, sports facilities or shared spaces. Since these sudden, high-energy impacts can damage the structures that protect robotic lawn mowers, we continuously study how materials behave under this type of stress as part of our engineering research on optimizing garden robotics systems.

To explore the topic further, we carried out a practical impact experiment: we hit a polycarbonate panel with close-range golf shots and a composite aluminum roof with repeated football kicks, observing how each material reacts to sharp, localized impacts. This test allowed us to compare the real-world behavior of the two materials we use most often in our accessories.

Context: how much energy are we dealing with?

To correctly interpret the results, it is useful to recall the amount of energy generated by common projectiles that could strike a garage.

Golf balls. A golf ball weighs about 45 grams. According to the Trackman Optimizer, a driver with a club-head speed of around 113 mph generates a ball speed of about 165 mph (Trackman). Even with lower amateur swing speeds, driver ball speeds commonly reach 155–165 mph. A ball of this size traveling at 165 mph (≈ 49 m/s) carries about 122 joules of kinetic energy — more than twice that of a strong iron shot and significantly more than a fast baseball pitch. For comparison, at 155 mph (≈ 69.2 m/s) the kinetic energy is still around 108 joules.

Footballs. A regulation football weighs between 410 and 450 grams and, in a well-struck free-kick, can reach speeds of 25–30 m/s (around 70 mph) (Bahlol). At 30 m/s, a 450-gram ball generates over 200 joules of energy — roughly four times that of a golf ball.

Golf ball test: polycarbonate flexes but does not break

The first experiment was conducted on a polycarbonate roof. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer used in visors and safety shields and is known for its high impact resistance. For example, Stabilit America highlights that polycarbonate can be up to 250 times stronger than glass and does not crack when struck (Stabilit America).

Additionally, Integra Enclosures notes that polycarbonate panels do not shatter but flex under load and then return to their original shape once the stress is removed (Integra Enclosures). This behavior is ideal for a robotic lawn mower garage exposed to localized impacts such as balls or small objects.

Polycarbonate covers are also “frequency friendly”: radio waves pass through the material with minimal attenuation, allowing GPS, Wi-Fi, 5G and RTK signals to reach the robot correctly. Outdoor versions also integrate UV-resistant additives that reduce yellowing over time and help protect the robot from direct sunlight.

How did the test go?

We struck the polycarbonate roof with several golf balls, hitting it from a few meters away with different angles and speeds. Each impact caused the ball to bounce off without deforming the roof. In a couple of spots, a slight surface mark was visible, left by the ball’s residue. This behavior confirms the high ability of polycarbonate to absorb impact energy: the material flexes and returns to its original shape, preventing crack propagation.

The result validated our design choice: a polycarbonate roof protects from sunlight, does not block signals and withstands impacts typical of a driving-range environment.

Football test: composite aluminum stays stable thanks to rigidity and mounting

The second experiment involved a composite aluminum (ACP) roof struck by footballs. ACP consists of two thin aluminum sheets bonded to a plastic core. This sandwich structure ensures excellent rigidity and a high strength-to-weight ratio.

As explained by CEI Materials, despite being lightweight, ACP provides exceptional rigidity and impact resistance, which is why it is even used in skyscraper cladding.

In our test, we repeatedly kicked footballs from close range against the ACP roof. Each impact generated an elastic rebound without deforming the panel. The composite aluminum showed some elasticity, but the structure remained stable thanks to the garage’s mounting system: the roof is anchored to supports that absorb part of the energy, preventing movement or tipping.

Even after numerous impacts, the panel remained perfectly in place and showed no cracks, confirming the robustness of both the material and the design.

Why these materials are essential across our entire range

Although this impact test focused on roofs, these materials are used across many of our products. Regarding polycarbonate, its advantages extend far beyond sports contexts. We use it in domestic robotic lawn mower garages because it blocks UV rays, does not interfere with RTK, GPS or Wi-Fi signals, and is lightweight yet extremely impact-resistant.

This makes it ideal in any situation where a robot may be exposed while charging — from private gardens to public parks — where hail, fallen branches, children’s play or balls may strike the structure. Polycarbonate is also used in our protective covers, antenna caps and display shields, ensuring protection for electronic components without compromising connectivity.

Likewise, composite aluminum allows us to design rigid and lightweight components with a refined, durable finish. We use it not only for roofs: it is also employed for side panels, technical compartments, service cabinets and other elements of our range. Its combination of slight flexibility and rigidity ensures safety and stability even when struck by footballs, and when paired with robust mounting systems, these panels remain firmly anchored.

The material’s strength-to-weight ratio and clean aesthetic make it a cornerstone of our accessory collection.

Conclusions

Our informal test confirms what the technical literature has long shown: polycarbonate and composite aluminum are excellent materials for protecting professional robotic lawn mowers in sports and outdoor environments. Polycarbonate absorbs the energy of golf balls without breaking and provides an effective barrier against UV rays, while composite aluminum ensures rigidity and stability against football impacts.

These results demonstrate how important it is to choose the right accessory to complement the robot’s technology. As providers of solutions for garden robotics systems, we believe that collaboration with robot manufacturers is essential: their machines represent state-of-the-art green maintenance, and our products complete the ecosystem, enabling the robot to operate safely and at its full potential.