Echo kicked off a robotics-based partnership with Illinois-based Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 on Aug. 29.

District 95 has agreed to be a test site for Echo’s autonomous mowers, with one unit currently operating on one of the Lake Zurich High School (LZHS) baseball fields.

The partnership provides the students with real-world engineering and problem-solving experience while also helping Echo Robotics test and troubleshoot the autonomous mowers before they hit the U.S. market, according to Echo.

“We are very excited about our partnership with the Lake Zurich School District,” said Joe Fahey, vice president of Echo. “Through our robotics program, we will be able to engage students interested in engineering, robotics, computer science and business principles by allowing them to learn and participate in the development of our industry-changing technology.”

In addition to the partnership, Echo has agreed to provide material support for the LZHS robotics program and give an annual $20,000 donation to the District 95 Educational Foundation for the robotics team, the Bearbotics.