In a recent episode of the GrassBot Network Podcast, hosts John Kaminski and Scott McElroy sat down with Derek Kaye, co-founder of Whispr Innovations, to explore how robotics and electric equipment are transforming the green industry—one lawn at a time.
From Consulting to Cutting Grass—With Robots
Derek Kaye didn’t begin his career in landscaping. With a background in management consulting and nonprofit leadership, he was drawn to causes that mattered. But when a conversation with his friend Ethan Hansen—owner of a traditional lawn care company—revealed recurring struggles with labor shortages, the gears started turning.
“Why don’t we put a robot in my place and let you scale your business more effectively?” Derek recalls suggesting to Ethan.
This question led to the birth of Whispr Innovations, a company focused on robotic mowing and battery-electric tools, with a mission to provide sustainable, scalable, and quiet landscaping solutions.
The Whisper Behind Whispr
The name Whispr isn’t just branding—it’s a promise. Founded right before the pandemic, Whispr Innovations prioritized low-noise services that fit the needs of work-from-home and remote schooling households. Instead of gas-powered equipment interrupting Zoom calls, clients got clean-cut lawns with barely a sound.
“Eco-friendly is nice, but what our clients really feel is the silence. That’s what they’re buying,” Derek explains
With robotic mowers running even at night and electric tools replacing traditional gas-powered ones, Whispr carved out a unique niche in the Pacific Northwest.
Robots as a Service: A Smarter Business Model
The name Whispr isn’t just branding—it’s a promise. Founded right before the pandemic, Whispr Innovations prioritized low-noise services that fit the needs of work-from-home and remote schooling households. Instead of gas-powered equipment interrupting Zoom calls, clients got clean-cut lawns with barely a sound.
“Eco-friendly is nice, but what our clients really feel is the silence. That’s what they’re buying,” Derek explains
With robotic mowers running even at night and electric tools replacing traditional gas-powered ones, Whispr carved out a unique niche in the Pacific Northwest.
Holiday Lights & Technician Retention
Whispr Innovations is more than a seasonal mowing service. To retain high-quality robotic technicians year-round, the company expanded into Christmas light installations, which now provide a critical revenue stream during the off-season when grass stops growing.
“Christmas lights became this big chunk of income at the end of the year that carried us through the slow season,” Derek says.
This strategy has not only helped with technician retention but has created a full-year business model without downtime.
AI Vision & The Future of Robotic Mowing
The conversation turned to the future of robotic mowing—and Derek believes AI and computer vision are game-changers. Newer units can identify edges, avoid obstacles like toys and garden gnomes, and even traverse zones separated by fences without burying wires.
“These units can now detect concrete edges… and you can set zones without treating the sidewalk like lawn,” he explains
The price of wireless robotic mowers has also dropped significantly, with some models now available for under $1,000. This makes high-tech solutions accessible to a broader market than ever before.
Are They Profitable?
Yes, and growing every year.
Whispr’s approach focuses on smart investment—buying wholesale, maintaining units efficiently, and targeting a payback period of 12 to 18 months per unit. Their “Switch and Save” program even lets customers transition from traditional lawn care to automated service with minimal friction.
