The cleaning industry is undergoing massive changes and the past few years have seen major advances in cleaning technologies. These technologies have facilitated better decision making, better and more efficient cleaning. They are fundamentally altering the way business owners manage their companies, and how employees conduct their day-to-day activities. So it is noteworthy to mention them!

Cleaning technology talks hosted an interesting discussion about Robotics, Cobotics and AI in cleaning between Aswin Sarang, Head of Robotics and AI Reliable Robotics, Eduardo Lopez Sanjurjo, Engineer in the Innovation and Technology Department, Acciona Facilities Services, Amarnath Kumar, Executive Housekeeper, Sheraton, Mall of the Emirates and  Anders Morup, Regional Director, Middle East and Africa at Nilfisk, General Manager UAE, Nilfisk. 

Here is an excerpt.

Technology taking the forefront in the Middle East market

A lot of people are taking interest in cleaning technologies. Manufacturers, operators, service providers, facility owners - everyone is embracing smart technologies. A lot of studies are being conducted about cleaning technologies. We might not be the leading region in the world in cleaning technologies but we are figuring out what works best for our type of market. We are one of the few countries that has a minister for AI. That itself shows how open and progressive we are towards embracing new technologies. The implementation of these technologies would catalyze if they are opted for public services. For instance, we have robotic cleaning machines for the public sector - metro stations, airports, etc. This makes the public more exposed and accepting to such solutions. It also makes it easier for technology and service providers to implement the technology. 

Technology such as robots and cobots ease the workload in facilities like hotels, airport, shopping malls, etc. Undeniably, technology is going through a major revolution and are going to shape the future of the cleaning industry and we are here to accept it with open arms. 

The robotic revolution
What we are witnessing in the cleaning industry is a surge in the number of cleaning robots used everywhere. When we talk about technolonogies like robotics, there is a good opportunity to document how the job has been done. There is a lot of opportunity to deliver the same result everytime and there is also opportunity to offer other services that were previously not possible because the human resource was pre-occupied with more laborious work. 

The first cleaning robot that was actually developed in 1996 by a Swedish company called Electrolux. It wasn’t as successful as it is right now but it was still a beginning. The second version came in 2001. Over the years, battery and sensor evolved and as a consequence, robotic cleaners are being produced at a much cheaper rate. Most facilities have started to implement it because they are less noisy and more efficient. 

The equation between automation/robotics and the manual workforce

There is a preconceived notion that cleaning technologies, particularly robots are there to replace humans and that their implementation means loss of jobs. Service providers and facility owners do not agree to this point of view. According to them, a human resources can be assigned more productive tasks if they are freed from laborious ones that even machines can do. A hotelier, for instance, would prefer a hybrid model where the work of human workforce is eased by technologies and machinery. The technology will bring more efficiency and free up the human’s time for more productive work. A collaboration between the robot and the human being is most sought after by end users such as shopping malls and hotels. 

The thought behind automation is not to deprive your cleaning workforce from their tasks. Rather, it is to eliminate mundane tasks and focus on things that need more focus - for instance, guest satisfaction, sustainability, etc. Instead of humans doing repetitive tasks, it is better to provide a one-time solution through robots and deploy human resource to tasks that need their attention and intellect. 

End users have witnessed that the cleaning workforce is resistant to change whenever a new technology is implemented. They may think that the machines are there to replace them. But in a market where the labour cost is high and there are plenty of manpower challenges, robots can really help ease the tasks of the cleaning staff. With the right kind of training, orientation and education, thye cleaning workforce will be able to align themselves with the organizations larger goals, understand their role within the organisation and even meet their personal aspirations of growth. 

The dilemma of implementing robotics

A lot of companies are reluctant to implement robots or even cobots in their daily operations. They believe in waiting and watching how these technologies are performing in the market before they take a decision of implementing or not implementing them. Experts believe that now is the right time to incorporate new technologies like robotics and AI in your company because they provide a lot of opportunities. If companies wait for the next budget or next year, they actually risk losing the learnings, operational efficiencies and opportunities. 

Sitting on the sidelines and not being involved might look safer, but it actually comes with a cost. 

While embracing robotics can be a significant investment, they can actually can help forward-thinking companies create a competitive advantage through improvements in productivity and employee retention, while also opening up new marketing and public relations opportunities through brand enhancement.

Professional cleaning robots offer a broad spectrum of business benefits, depending on a company’s needs. For facility managers, the need to work more efficiently and effectively is always important as managers are continuously looking to improve processes, increase sustainable practices, and streamline operations.

This is a brief excerpt from a recently conducted panel discussion on Cleaning Technology Talks. View the entire session here: