Robot ‘Line-L Richie’ makes pitch-marking Easy

In the words of the classic song, you’re once, twice, three-time a line-painting robot and I love you… (That’s enough Lionel Richie jokes – Ed.)

Solihull Council’s environmental contractors Veolia and idverde have produced a fully autonomous robot to paint the lines on football pitches. They also invited local school children aged 13 and under to name the robot – and 10 year-old Ella from Elmdon won. Inspired by her dad’s Lionel Richie CDs, she came up with the name ‘Line-l Richie.’ 

Cllr Ken Hawkins, Ella, Kerry Taylor from Veolia/idverde and Jessica Francis, Deputy Headteacher at Reynalds Cross School, welcome Line-l Richie, courtesy of Solihull Council

Using environmentally friendly, ready-mixed paint, the robot is guided by virtual mapping software and can complete a football pitch in 25 minutes – much faster than the two hours taken by a human using traditional painting methods.

There are 36 football and rugby pitches in the borough and the council estimates that robot saves 57 hours of staff time, which can be spent on other important work in the borough’s parks. 

Line-l Richie is fitted with sensors and will stop if it detects anything in its path such as a person or animal. It also boasts a tracking device so can be easily found if lost or stolen. 

The competition to name the robot came with a three-part prize. Ella won a £100 gift voucher and a certificate. She also won the chance for Line-l Richie to mark up a pitch at the school or club of her choice. Sadly, Ella’s own school couldn’t benefit as Ella was taken ill and by the time she came out of hospital the school had already painted its pitch. Instead, Ella generously donated this prize to Reynalds Cross School, where her mum is a teaching assistant. 

Ella says: ‘I was so excited when I found out I’d won the competition and I’m really glad mum’s school will be one of the first to get its football pitch marked up by Line-l Richie! It’s really nice to be able to help the school and the children who go there.’ 

Cllr Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure at Solihull Council, adds: ‘We had some great entries, but Line-l Richie made me laugh as soon as I saw it. I know Ella has had a difficult time with her illness so I’m especially pleased that she won idverde’s competition and that Reynalds Cross School – which works so hard for our children with severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviours – has benefitted too.’ 

Tim McGibbon, Contract Manager for idverde, said: ‘We were really impressed by the fantastic entries to the naming competition. Ella is a deserving winner and we hope that she is proud of the clever name she came up with, and winning the pitch mark-up for her school. Well done Ella!’ 

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