Author: Craig Schuster

Are Robotics The Answer To Our Large Scale Cleanup Needs?

Robots are changing the cleaning landscape as we know it. By the year 2019, spending in the robotics industry is predicted to hit the $135 billion mark, a 17 percent growth rate. The boom in the industry continues with the sales of industrial cleaning robots at a record high. In the first quarter of 2017, we saw the  North American market surge by 32 percent. Automation and robotics are expanding at an exponential rate and as we shift our attention to the areas where the technology is being used, large scale commercial cleaning is one of those that comes to mind. Businesses are now utilizing artificial intelligence to get the job done and with great benefits.  Commercial cleaning comes with advantages including efficiency and reduced costs.

Welcome To The Age of Smart Cleaning

We have seen the rise of automation in our manufacturing industries particularly in the last decade and by the year 2000, there were over 30 different kinds of cleaning robots on the market. Automated vacuums and scrubbers are now a staple in commercial organizations such as hospitals and even research facilities. The market for cleaning robots is estimated to surpass $2.5 billion by the year 2020, with floor cleaning is expected to be the fastest growing category.

These machines offer benefits that are rapidly being noticed by corporations. Time and labor is reduced, consistency is achieved and overall, costs are driven down in the long term. With that, the company’s productivity only stands to gain. The benefits of robotics in cleaning are clear for industries: less commercial labor costs, improved efficiency and a better bottom line.

Increasing concerns over workplace safety have also been a driving force behind the growth. Powered by Artificial Intelligence, the robots are now equipped with interactive  mapping technology and can map out an efficient route. Companies like Sharp, Cyberdyne and Avidbot are tackling the industrial market with prototypes of their own at a reduced cost to the business. Based on the numbers by Avidbot, corporations can save anywhere between 50-70 percent on cleaning labor costs annually. The machines went on to be launched in early 2017 and has been quickly rapidly a name for itself by using Artificial Intelligence combined with lasers and 3D cameras.

The Exploration Continues

The future of robots continue to be explored and its application across the industries continues to grow in popularity. With the value of the technology to the older population being explored, the focus has now shifted to how robots can aid seniors in their  life including tasks such as cleaning and movement. By 2020 the sale of robots for domestic tasks in the home will surpass $11 billion U.S. dollars, according to the International Federation of Robotics and the commercial cleaning market is set to accelerate within the next five years. In 2015, we saw the acquisition of Intellibot Robotics LLC by Sealed Air Corp. Since then, the company has gone on to become a formidable player in the industrial cleaning robotics market.

We can expect to see much more progress in the coming years. More commercial cleaning corporations are making significant investments in the world of robotics and announcing collaborative partnerships with A.I software providers. Governments are also jumping on board, by offering incentives to businesses who adopt the technology.

There is no denying it. The commercial cleaning robotics industry is growing rapidly and so is the demand. Earlier, we were introduced to automation in our production and manufacturing processes. Today, we are witnessing the continuous benefits the technology can have in keeping our businesses clean, efficiency high and the costs low.

 

By Jess Walter