How to Get the Most From Cleaning Robots
Cleaning robots have revolutionized how companies maintain their premises, offering a wide range of capabilities that can meet the needs of different industries. To get the most from these smart machines, look for models that are reliable and have wireless connectivity that can provide remote troubleshooting and data analysis.
Select a model with spot or zone cleaning capabilities to clean messes on demand. It's also an excellent idea to clean and remove the brushes (and any corner or edge brushes) of your robot vacuum to prevent hair that is tangled.
Autonomous Cleaning Robots
Robots that are autonomous can clean, sweep and disinfect areas without human interaction. They also adapt to different environments and take care of tasks that would be too for humans to handle. Robotic cleaners save you time and money as they let your staff focus on other important tasks.
While the most familiar type of autonomous cleaning robot is a home vacuum or robotic floor scrubber, there is a variety of professional-grade models that offer many more features than their consumer counterparts. For instance, industrial-grade cleaning robots can clean large warehouse floors and other heavily filthy indoor areas. They can be programmed to clean areas where humans can't go, using wall climbing technology and other tools to ensure safer operation in tight areas.
They are equipped with a variety of sensors, such as cameras and mapping programs that help them navigate through rooms and avoid obstacles. Some of them use AI to learn from their customers and adapt to their needs, increasing efficiency over time.
These smart systems can also be connected to other smart devices, creating a more connected and efficient facility. These robots are more cost-effective and eco-friendly since they consume less energy. In addition, many are designed to work alongside other automated systems, like building automation or material handling systems.
If you require one unit or a whole fleet, it's worth investing in this cutting-edge technology to improve the productivity and performance of your facility operations. The reduced need for manual labor, improved operator safety, and the longer life of cleaned surfaces will make your investment pay off quickly.
The outbreak is a great time to begin exploring ways you can incorporate these advanced cleaning robots into your regular maintenance routine. This isn't just an opportunity to help your team and reduce the chance of getting sick, but it's an excellent way to show the public that you're making progress in your cleaning program. You'll get the most value from your investment if you choose the right autonomous robots.
Robotic Vacuums
Sensors assist robot vacuums to navigate their homes and identify obstacles. Some models utilize infrared sensors, similar to the ones used in self-driving vehicles to create an imaginary map. Other models use cameras that detect objects and avoid them. These sensors allow you to pick a specific area of your home for cleaning with the on-board controls, or a smartphone app. Some models let you control the robot via voice commands, letting you select to clean a specific area or even send it to encircle your walls for perimeter cleaning.
While robotic vacuums are great for picking up dirt that is embedded in carpets and rugs they aren't able to dig deep into pet hair clumps and other messes that need more than a simple sweep. They also don't pick up dust that is close to baseboards and other edges, which requires an even more thorough cleaning process than what you'd get with a traditional upright or canister vacuum.
When you are choosing a vacuum robot , look for models that have a powerful suction mechanism and brushes that are designed to collect dirt and debris from surfaces. The best models have features like object identification technology, customisable settings and pet mode. You should check the manual for suggested maintenance intervals, but the majority of models require little or no regular care aside from emptying the trash and wiping down the sensors, wheels and charging contacts.
The majority of the top robot vacuums and mop models we tested integrate with smart home systems. You can control them using smartphone apps or digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can schedule a cleaning session or begin one and set a date for it to be completed while you're away. Some robot vacuums can pause cleaning sessions to recharge and then return to where they stopped. However, many robot vacs still don't work as well as traditional vacuums and in tight spaces, and their small designs make it difficult to move around furniture.
Robotic Floor Scrubbers
In contrast to vacuum cleaners, which are used to remove loose debris from carpets and floors, robotic floor scrubbers use water to dislodge and agitate dirt and grime off of hard surface flooring. They can be either self-propelled or controlled by a person. The most advanced models are able to recognize and automatically navigate obstacles, thus reducing the time spent cleaning. Some models incorporate an intelligent water management systems, which recycles the same water for hours.
Utilizing a robotic cleaner can aid in boosting labor in facilities that are short-staffed or have high turnover rates. Staff can concentrate on other important tasks when robots are working. In a hospital setting, that may mean ensuring that surfaces with high-touch like doors, countertops, and bathrooms are cleaned and sanitized. In a retail store, it could be helping customers locate what they need and avoiding displeasure with smudges on windows and glass.
Robotic floor scrubbers are programmed to work at specific times and their cleaning schedule can be customized using a variety of mode options to meet specific cleaning requirements. They can be monitored in real time, allowing managers the ability to track their progress using mobile apps or web-based portals. Some manufacturers collect the data and make it available to the end users so that they can pinpoint areas to improve.
The most basic models, that can cost as low as $100, have one reservoir of water and a static, swiffer-like pad that sprays and wipes as it accumulates grime. The more advanced models have two rotating pads that can mop and brush the floor. They also come with self-emptying docks, which allow the water to be emptied of dirty water and refill with a fresh cleaning solution. The most advanced mop-vacs for robots can distinguish between different kinds of flooring and can return to the dock to empty out any unneeded cleaning solution and clean their brushes before refilling them with fresh cleaning solution.
All types of cleaning robots are linked to a cloud system that gives highly detailed reports on their performance and use as well as precise productivity metrics as well as heat maps of the area cleaned along with other alerts. This information can be accessed by the facility manager, staff members and others who have been granted remote access to the system.
Robotic Floor Mop
If you want to take a break from the hassle of keep your floors clean, robotic mopping is the best option. These bots will spruce up your wood and tile floors between deep cleaning sessions and will keep dust, dirt, pet hair, crumbs and other debris at bay. They work on most sealed hard flooring types such as laminate, hardwood and vinyl. Most robot mops feature the ability to set a timer which allows them to clean at predetermined intervals. You can also use the app to change cleaning modes, make schedules, or monitor when maintenance is required for example, replacing filters.
Typically, floor mops for robotics require an additional water tank for mopping, which is difficult to fill and empty when pads get dirty. Look for a model with self-emptying docks or ones that can easily be manually emptied when necessary.
Some models can also vacuum, but you may need to empty the dust bin after every cleaning session (unless it comes with a self-emptying base). If your floors are especially dusty, you might get better results by letting the robot sweep and then mop.
Most robot mops only require tap water, but some will let you add a cleaning agent to the tank to provide extra cleaning. Use only the cleaners recommended by the manufacturer. Using unauthorized cleaners can harm your machine or cancel the warranty.
In addition to allowing you to start and stop the bot, some apps also let you create a map of your home and set up virtual barriers and no-go zones. Some even let you know when the battery is running low and the mop has to be washed.
Think about a hybrid robot like the Ecovacs Roborock Q Revo or Deebot X2. Both can store floor maps, and they'll track and automatically charge the batteries if they run low during cleaning. They also come with a range of other features that are smart, such as a remote start and stop button as well as an app that allows you to build an automated cleaning schedule and monitor when the mop needs maintenance.