Blade scrubber

Ursula O’Sullivan-Dale speaks to experts on how automating industrial cleaning processes can unlock cost, environmental and other-value added benefits… 

The cleaning and sanitation industry is one of many to undergo a dramatic transformation since the advent of advanced robotics and smart management systems. These clean machines can perform intensive and dangerous work with heightened accuracy and efficiency, while also removing human workers from unhygienic, dirty and labour-intensive processes. In fact, any environment in need of regular sanitation could benefit from the use of autonomous cleaning solutions. Some such environments to massively benefit from these technologies include warehouses, manufacturing sites, cleanrooms, construction sites and laboratories, to name a few.

Like most tech marketplaces, the cleaning robot sector has also experienced dramatic growth in recent years. Smart connected technologies, the rise of IoT and the development of AI have all made the switch to automated systems more straightforward, and with clear-cut cost benefits for businesses and better data insights incentivising companies to automate cleaning operations. Data from Google Trends also showed a decline in enquiries for ‘deep cleaning services’ over the course of 2021 and 2022, with searches for ‘robot vacuum and mop’ growing by 120%.

What’s more, research from the British Cleaning Council suggests that the cleaning, waste disposal and other facilities management industries were expected to create 93,000 new jobs by this year [2024], but that 29% of these new positions are classified as ‘hard to fill’. Both Brexit and Covid-19 contributed to significant labour shortages in this area, with automated cleaning systems and robotics seeing a drive in interest as a response. With the dawn of the cleaning robots seemingly on the horizon, how can firms make sure their investments in automation scrub up well?

Mopping and mapping

When it comes to automated cleaning devices, it’s important for businesses to consider the variety of solutions available, and their associated benefits and limitations. There is an important distinction between autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for cleaning applications, for example. The former analyses and understands it surroundings and uses this data to map unique cleaning paths; AMRs are also able to identify changes and obstacles in its surroundings and adapting. AGVs, however, only operate autonomously after being programmed manually and are more limited in their real-time responses to stimuli, obstacles or other dynamic environmental changes. In such instances, human interference is sometimes required.When it comes to mapping a cleaning route, then, buyers must consider which type of solution is most appropriate for the size and nature of the facility, as well as how often it needs to be sanitised. Stefano Besi, general manager, SoftBank Robotics, explains that “there is a misconception that all robots are the same” when, in fact, robotic solutions are often radically different in sophistication and results will likewise be dependant quality of the software that is needed to make navigation happen.

A human touch

When it comes to assessing the performance of cleaning robots, some of the key benchmarks include autonomous mobility and navigation, dust collection, noise levels, coverage and overall quality of cleaning. As Julie Kitchener, head of customer service and marketing manager at ICE, explains that developing and programming robots centred around their collaboration with people is often more important to achieving high-quality, accurate cleans than relying on full autonomy. She explains that “the collaboration between robots and humans delivers consistently high standards – the data available from the autonomous equipment quantifies and proves cleaning results whilst enhancing standards delivered by the cleaning operative who has more time to focus on detailed cleaning.

Kitchener continues to explain that is also a more flexible approach as robots can be programmed to perform specific tasks, but they cannot adapt to unexpected changes as well as humans can. Overall, designing floor cleaning robots that collaborate with humans is more efficient, flexible and inclusive than designing robots that replace them. By working together, humans and robots can create a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.”

Autonomous cleaning robots can likewise be used as a technology platform to test and improve cleaning schedules through tracking and reporting, Besi adds. He explains that “a good robot will capture coverage and runtime, ensuring that users can set benchmarks and measure against pre-agreed KPIs.” With connected management systems and data dashboards now coming part and parcel with these systems, especially those implemented through a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, facility managers can now benefit from improved oversight. These systems enable users to manage routes, locations and the productivity of robots through helpful interfaces accessed via desktops or smartphones.

Thank UV, next 

One of the most critical use cases for surface decontamination is within medical facilities, with the pandemic highlighting the value of high-efficiency, high-accuracy solutions for rapid disinfection. Autonomous cleaning robots using UV-C irradiation have become increasingly popular in recent years for sanitation processes, with manual cleaning not always being effective enough to completely remove pathogens. What’s more, when used as part of a regular cleaning cycle, UVC robots can used be to deactivate multidrug resistant organisms.

For example, last year hospitals worldwide reported the alarming spread of the Candida auris fungus, which was proving resistant to traditional disinfectants and can be deadly. However, hospitals that deployed the Xenex Disinfection Services’ LightStrike UV room disinfection robot reported strong success rates in combatting the fungus, thus preventing further contamination of hospitals and patient deaths.

As Dr Toru Kinoshita, R&D centre chief engineer at Stanley Electric Co explains, UV-C light of around 265 nanometres (nm) is the most efficient for disinfection against both bacteria and viruses as this wavelength range “corresponds to the absorption peak of DNA/RNA”. However, though germicidal UV light, which is typically distributed at 254nm, is very effective in this context, when used directly it can be damaging to both human skin and eyes.

Clean revenue

The use of automated cleaning robots likewise creates opportunities for significant financial savings in both efficiency and the redeployment of staff. Cleaning robot start-up United Robots even claims its solutions can lead to savings of up to 85% by using an AI-driven system to prevent cleaning overlaps, conserve water, detergents and energy, as well as limiting site maintenance costs.

Cleaning robots deployed through RaaS provide additional financial benefits, as this subscription model enables companies to use robotics on a monthly payment basis, which eliminates the need for upfront capital, as Besi explains. He adds that RaaS also reduces a business’ cash requirements or “the need to leverage as the balance sheet as collateral for a loan or lease”.

What’s more, existing technology is sophisticated enough that major infrastructural changes should not be needed to introduce cleaning robotics, as is the case with some other automated systems. Well-designed robots will be flexible to a customers’ needs, with current technology accommodating for “the automated use of elevators, opening of fire doors, self-powering, auto-chang[ing] of water and more”, Besi comments. When implementing cleaning automation, organisations can be guilty of underestimating the long-term cost-savings and ROI from cleaning robots, which are achieved through reduced labour costs, increased efficiency and significant improvements in cleaning quality, leading to opportunities for new business.

One added benefit of implementing autonomous solutions is the possibility of gains for companies’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy and goals, as Kitchener explains. She says, “Switching from traditional manual cleaning machines to autonomous equipment not only saves up to 1,628 hours of cleaning time per year, the on-board water recycling function means it can also save up to 139,412 litres of water annually compared to a traditional scrubber dryer.”  Other environmental benefits from cleaning robots that lead to more efficient use of resources include reduced use of harmful chemicals, cutting down on the production and disposal of cleaning materials with a shorter product lifecycle and the scheduling of cleaning to non-peak hours to reduce impact on local electricity grids.

Staff shortages

Ongoing shortages of cleaning staff contributes to the business case for cleaning robotics. Though a more expensive short-term investment, the continuous reliability of automating cleaning processes provides stability to businesses, especially those looking to grow or scale operations. By freeing up time for facility managers, operations can be managed more effectively by having robots complete monotonous and repetitive tasks. As X, spokesperson for industrial cleaning company Robert Scott, explains: “The adoption of automation within cleaning regimes can transform facilities management teams by freeing up time and adding value, to enable cleaning operatives to do their job more effectively.”

Building on this, Kitchener from ICE explains that the complete replacement of human cleaners is not just an undesirable consequence of automation but is actually to the detriment of a lot of facilities. She explains that collaborative robots (cobots) are well-suited to cleaning operations, as “robots can validate cleaning schedules by tracking and reporting their performance. A good robot will capture coverage and runtime, ensuring that users can set benchmarks and measure against pre-agreed KPIs”. Overcoming reservations about human jobs being replaced is a perennial struggle for robotics suppliers working across all industries – and cleaning and sanitation is no exception. However, Kitchener is optimistic that the market segment “is now truly embracing the fact that automation isn’t about replacing operatives”. Instead, beliefs are beginning to change as sophisticated technologies create opportunities for collaboration, with people working alongside the robotic equipment or being redeployed to complete detailed cleaning tasks that automation systems currently cannot.

In fact, rather than taking cleaners’ jobs, robots can enable cleaners to be more productive and can help improve working environments by taking care of repetitive and physically demanding tasks. This leaves people free to complete more value-adding roles and reduces risk of physical strain or injury, as well as exposure to chemicals. These will be key factors in retaining staff in a sector where both staff recruitment and retention are proving increasingly difficult. Besi believes these benefits extend even furthers and emphasises that robots can be programmed to work alongside human cleaners and support their adaptation to a range of scenarios and environments.

Sky high

Skyline Robotics (Skyline), the developer of Ozmo, a window-cleaning robot, recently closed a US$9.8m (£7.8m) funding round, bringing the total it has raised to date to US$19.4m (£15.4m). The company commented that it plans to use the funds to expand Ozmo deployments across New York and London. 

In November last year, London-based commercial cleaning company Principle Cleaning Services (Principle) announced it would be implementing Skyline’s robots to partially automate window-cleaning processes. As a result of the agreement, Principle became an exclusive provider of the solution in London, with the company rolling out the solution for this market. In addition to removing human cleaners from high-rise environments, it is hoped that the robots will also support ESG monitoring by providing data, insights and analytics on buildings’ health. 

Scrubbing up well

Despite the sophistication of current technology, which is more than capable of performing high-quality, efficient cleans and operating with a great deal of autonomy, there is still more to come in the world of cleaning automation. Innovations such as self-charging, self-emptying and re-filling are just some of the advancements seen in recent years. As Kitchener explains, “with the increasing adoption of automation across the industry, there is now a growing demand for smart cleaning solutions such as integrating the robotic machines with building management systems to provide real-time data on cleaning operations and efficient cleaning schedules. Increased use of AI to improve cleaning efficiency and accuracy is also likely to evolve.” Robots can be trained to identify and avoid specific obstacles, focus on cleaning areas with the heaviest foot traffic, or work within other data parameters, she adds. This opens up the possibilities of what can be done with cleaning robots, which could ultimately form just one part of a complex ecosystem of smart automated technologies for facilities management.

This article was first published in the March 2024 issue of Robotics & Automation Magazine. Read it in print.