“The (Pro X Tiny Mobile) robot has been an absolute time and money saver with almost flawless end results on all our fields this fall,” said Murphy. “The robot is very mobile and can stripe and paint a football field in less than three hours. That job took about 30 man hours when staking, stringing, stencils and paint were involved.”

Murphy said the robot is leased for about $34,000 for several years. The unit includes more than 200 tablet software templates that can be placed on a GPS field image before the robot is placed at the goal line.

“Once the robot’s five-gallon paint tank is full, I press start and walk away until the paint tank needs refilling,” he said. “The tablet tells me when the tank is empty, what work was done and how long it took. Software saves all the GPS field readings for the next time I paint it. With all the time saved doing this, we can stripe and paint all our fields for younger players now. That helps younger players learn passing routes and time passes easier. It also helps coaches line all players up in proper field position.”

Murphy said he painted five football fields this fall including varsity and practice fields, junior high scrimmage field, 70-yard junior high field (near St. Mary’s Cemetery and a 50-year youth football practice field.

A tablet computer displays Sleepy Eye Public School’s football field that will be painted with lines for a home football game

“We have been told that the robot will pay for itself in about two and one-half years. I can paint all six of our fields in the time it used to take us to do one field,” he said. “We are looking forward to using the robot for baseball and softball fields and on the track. Operating it is kind of like playing a video game.”

Templates are also available for playgrounds for basketball and pickle ball courts and other activities.

Murphy said the robot can paint logos and other images can may be used for future advertising and other uses on athletic fields.

He said Springfield and Wabasso schools have bought robots to stripe and paint football fields.

“The City of Sleepy Eye was here when we got it. They are interested in renting it to paint curbs and stripe parking lots, streets, basketball, hop scotch and tennis courts,” Murphy said. “We’re talking to Cedar Mountain Public School about their using it for their football fields. There is a lot to look forward to in the future with the robot.”

The robot is not usable for mowing, aerating, fertilizing or watering grass. Other robots would need to be purchased for those tasks.

Murphy said the robot is named “Bruce 2.0” in honor of facilities maintenance man Bruce Lokensgard of Sleepy Eye who has worked for the school district for more than 20 years.