At its plant in Ormes in the Loire, Honda is speeding up with robotic mowers.

Within the walls of its plant in Orme (Loire), in the metropolitan region of Orleans, Honda promises dreams to lazy gardeners. The Japanese group has just opened a new production line for robotic mowers, the latest generation of products capable of maintaining a gorgeous lawn all year round without the slightest effort…

Founded in the Loire for 37 years, Honda is already a global center for the production of these robots. Called Miimo, they were released in 2012 but have changed a lot since their inception. New cars are ultra-connected. They calculate the size of the garden, charge at their terminal, adapt to the weather, choose the best time to mow, etc.

It is planned to hire a dozen employees

50,000 euros have been invested in the modernization of production tools, and it is planned to hire a dozen more employees to increase the staff. The plant currently employs 110 permanent workers, as well as 150 temporary workers during peak periods.

These products are mainly intended for the European market – in the US we still prefer classic clippers – and for France in particular. “This is one of the main markets for the garden. This new line is a recognition of the know-how of our local teams,” says Maxence Zachary, Honda Equipment Product Manager.

Last year, the site was already strengthened by integrating classic models of “walk-behind tractors”, which were previously imported from the USA. Today, the Ormes plant’s ambition is to double production to 200 robotic mowers per day.