The laundry industry is undergoing a radical transformation driven by automation, IoT connectivity, and sustainability imperatives. These innovations enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and redefine user experiences across commercial and residential settings.

It is important not to upgrade the technology beyond the skills of the technicians available in the area where your laundry exists, unless the manufacturer is willing and contractually bound to train them.

Most of the time, we are looking to fill a gap by adding a piece of equipment that will at once increase pieces per operator hour (PPOH) and/or cut a full-time position.

Visiting different laundry shows, we come across highly advanced equipment, where manual labor is reduced to the minimum, however, you have to take several things in consideration, like:

• Local Labor costs, do they justify the investment?
• Part of the world where the equipment is installed, when it comes to the Middle East, highly temperature environments have to be taken into account, and technical support.

• We have come across Robots for sorting in Germany last laundry fair, absolutely brilliant, but maybe to use in Northern Europe where labor costs are much higher than other regions, and still a lot to be done, eventually will be in place in about 5 to 10 years.

Commercial Laundry Automation: Core Technologies

1. AI and Machine Learning

- Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms analyze machine data (vibration, temperature) to forecast failures before they occur, reducing downtime by 20–30%.

- Cycle Optimization: Systems auto-adjust water levels, detergent, and cycle times based on fabric type and soil levels, cutting energy use by 15–25% .

- Demand Forecasting: AI predicts peak usage times, enabling optimized staff scheduling and resource allocation.

2. Robotics and Automated Workflows

- Robotic Sorting/Folding: Automated arms ,sort linens via RFID tags, while folding machines handle 1,000+ items/hour, slashing labor costs by 25% .

- Tunnel Washers: Continuous-batch systems process , reducing water consumption by 60% compared to traditional washers.

3. IoT and Real-Time Analytics

- Remote Monitoring: Sensors track machine performance, usage patterns, and errors, sending alerts to technicians via cloud platforms .

- Data-Driven Decisions: Dashboards display cycle efficiency and utility consumption metrics, enabling cost-saving adjustments.

4. Sustainability Innovations

- Water Reclamation: Closed-loop systems recycle 70–80% of water per cycle, a lot of investment has been done to make a reliable system, however still needs to be

- Solar Integration: Laundries deploy solar panels to power equipment, cutting grid dependence by 30–50%.

- Eco-Detergents: Biodegradable chemicals minimize toxic runoff.

5. Customer Experience Enhancements

- Mobile Apps: Users reserve machines, pay via NFC/cryptocurrency, and receive cycle-end notifications.

- Multilingual Interfaces: Touchscreens support diverse languages, improving accessibility.

- Self-Service Kiosks: Cashless payments and interactive tutorials streamline operations.

6. Residential Smart Laundry Technologies

a. Connected Appliances:

- Remote Control: Start/stop cycles or receive maintenance alerts via smartphone apps.

- Integration with Home Hubs: Voice-controlled operations via Alexa/Google Home.

b. Eco-Efficiency Features:

- Automatic load sensing adjusts water and energy.

- Leak detection sensors shut off water during malfunctions.

7. Implementation Challenges

- High Initial Costs: Robotic sorting and folding systems cost $50,000–$200,000, limiting small laundries.

- Integration Complexity: Legacy machinery requires retrofitting for IoT compatibility.

- Skill Gaps: Staff need training for AI/robotics maintenance.

8. Future Outlook

- Hyper-Personalization: AI will customize wash cycles for individual fabric blends.

- Advanced Robotics: Humanoid

About the author

Jorge Damasceno is the  CEO of Bubble Laundry.