FMJ.CO.UK CLEANING FOCUS
As technology develops there is also growing potential for robotics to do more than one
task,” says Robinson. “For example, some robotic scrubber dryers now have the capability
to perform UVC light disinfection, which helps to create a healthier environment by
JUNE 2022 29
RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
Based on current technology, cobots
perform best in large, open and uncluttered
areas but the technology is improving all
the time says Venter. “Manufacturers are
working hard at improving the agility of the
cobot units to accommodate the everyday
demands. In years to come, building design
and internal layout will form an important
factor for the integration of cobotics, and
architects will need to ensure structures
and interiors are more cobot friendly.”
“The beauty of cobots is their consistency.
Be it vacuuming or hard surface wet
disinfecting surfaces, while simultaneously cleaning them.”
cleaning, the units are programmed
in such a way that they will ensure the
output remains the same throughout their
deployment.”
Kitchener concurs with this point, as she
explains, cleaning teams have tried and
failed in the past to redistribute resources
away from repetitive tasks such as floor
cleaning to pay more attention to focusing
on things you touch with your hands -
handles, switches, glass, plus other more
di icult areas to clean such as stairs and
escalators. Although these are all important
– she says, they o en get skipped because
they do not form part of the visible routine.
“However,” she explains, “if we allow the
cobot to clean the floor and empower the
operator to focus on the detailed cleaning,
this absolutely supports the delivery of
cleaner, healthier spaces. The cobots also
deliver quantified, consistent results, and
detailed reporting via App’s on important
information such as area cleaned, time
taken, water used during cleaning, and
battery and consumable life remaining.”
Based on this on-board technology adds
Venter: “FM providers can obtain data
confirming outputs and can also identify
any shortfalls in the delivery and adjust
these accordingly. In an environment where
KPIs are becoming ever more important,
FM providers are now able to evidence
compliance.”
“As technology develops there is also
growing potential for robotics to do
more than one task,” says Robinson. “For
example, some robotic scrubber dryers
now have the capability to perform UVC
light disinfection, which helps to create
a healthier environment by disinfecting
surfaces, while simultaneously cleaning
them.”
They’re also good for the environment:
“A key benefit is that they are extremely
COLLABORATIVE CLEANING
According to Bensi: “Generally, cobots
should undertake the cleaning tasks that
are monotonous, dirty or hazardous.
This frees up cleaning operatives to
concentrate on the higher value and
more specialised tasks that they know
are important to the customer.
“However, it’s important to remember
that cobots never really replace humans.
Cleaning cobots still need humans to
teach them cleaning routes, recharge
their batteries, empty them when they’re
full, and aid them if they get stuck. That’s
true collaboration.”
At EMCOR reports Robinson: “We have
found that the main deployment for
cobotic cleaning involves floor cleaning
tasks where we can use the units to
autonomously clean floors enabling
employees to carry out other duties such
as emptying bins, dusting, polishing
and general tidying duties. One of the
benefits is that they can work alongside
each other at the same time, which
some customers find reassuring as there
can still be some trepidation about
fully autonomous equipment operating
without supervision in sensitive
environments.”
Over the past few years, the dual
impact of Brexit and COVID has resulted
in a recruitment crisis in the cleaning
sector, which means these technological
inventions could not have come at a
better time argues Johan Venter, MD
Cleaning for Atalian Servest.
“As the industry struggles to recruit,
technology can be the saviour. This will
enable FM providers to channel available
physical labour to specific cleaning tasks
and cobots can fill the gaps within a
cleaning specification.”
ICE customer, Stuart Willes - Head
of Operations & Facilities, University
Hospital Dorset explains why automation
has helped his team deal with the
recruitment crisis.
“Over the last 18 months or so it has
been increasingly di icult to recruit sta
as we cannot increase wages as they are
designated by national pay spines –
other industries such as hospitality are
able to entice cleaners with better hourly
rates.
“Healthcare however are le to use
agencies, or the essential cleaning tasks
get missed. For us exploring the use of
autonomous machines ensures that we
utilise these machines to do the labour
intensive but essential cleaning tasks
such as the corridors and back of house
areas, leaving the full time employed
sta to concentrate on ward and hygienic
level cleaning.”