The integration of robotics in Soft Services has emerged as a key topic of discussion across the FM industry in recent years, particularly as the sector strives to improve productivity, enhance service consistency, and address ongoing labour challenges. From malls and airports to hospitals, robotic floor scrubbers and autonomous vacuums are becoming increasingly common — and for good reason.

In large, open environments, the return on investment (ROI) from robotics is becoming more quantifiable. For instance, studies have shown that robotic floor scrubbers can reduce manual labour requirements by up to 70% while improving cleaning consistency and reducing chemical and water usage. These autonomous machines can operate during off-peak hours, ensure a predictable quality of cleaning, and significantly reduce the physical strain on cleaning teams, allowing human resources to be redeployed to higher-value or detail-oriented tasks.

However, while the productivity benefits are clear in expansive spaces such as airports, shopping centers, and convention halls, the economics of robotics in Soft FM become more complex in smaller or irregularly designed facilities. Environments like hospitals with sensitive equipment, lecture theatres with tiered seating, and multi-story office spaces with frequent obstacles such as stairs or stepped levels still pose significant operational challenges for current robotic technologies.

The key issue lies in the balance between CAPEX investment and measurable savings. While robotic solutions may yield long-term cost reductions in workforce expenses, the initial capital outlay—combined with the need for supervision, maintenance, and integration with human teams—means the business case doesn’t yet stack up as effectively in smaller or more complex environments.

At Musanadah, we continue to support and integrate robotic cleaning systems in large-scale facilities, where the benefits are most impactful. However, for smaller or more intricate sites, the technology still has ground to cover in terms of adaptability, navigation, and cost-effectiveness.

Looking ahead, we remain optimistic. As AI and robotics continue to evolve, the industry will see smarter, more flexible systems capable of tackling complex layouts with greater ease. Until then, a hybrid human-robot workforce and embracing FM smart tech by trained team members remains the most effective model for many of today’s facilities.

About the author:

Umer khan is the Operations Manager – Central Region, Musanadah Facilities Management, KSA.