How to Get the Most From Cleaning Robots
Cleaning robots have revolutionized how companies maintain their premises with a range of capabilities that can meet the demands of various industries. To benefit the most from these smart machines, choose models with reliable mobile connectivity that allows remote troubleshooting and data analysis.
Select a model with cleaning capabilities for zones or spots to remove messes as needed. It's also an excellent idea to regularly remove and wash the brushes (and any corner or edge brushes) of your robot vacuum to prevent tangled hair.
Autonomous Cleaning Robots
Robots that are autonomous can clean, sweep and disinfect areas without the need for constant human interaction. They can also adapt to changing environments and can handle tasks that are too much for a human team to handle. These robot cleaners can save you time and money, freeing staff to concentrate on other tasks.
While the most familiar type of autonomous cleaning robot is a home vacuum or robotic floor scrubber there are a wide variety of professional-grade machines that provide much more features than their consumer counterparts. Industrial-grade autonomous robots, for example, can clean large warehouse floors and other heavily-soiled indoor areas. They can be set up to clean up areas that humans aren't allowed to go, by using wall-climbing technology and other tools to ensure safe operation in tight areas.
They are equipped with a range of sensors, such as cameras and mapping software that helps them map rooms and avoid obstacles. Some even use AI to learn how they're used and adjust to improve efficiency in the course of time.
Robot Vacuum Mops can also be connected to other smart devices, resulting in an efficient and more connected facility. A lot of these robots consume less energy and are biodegradable products, which makes them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Furthermore, they are designed to work alongside other automated systems, for instance, building automation or material handling systems.
It's worth investing whether you require just one unit or a group of units, in this innovative technology that will improve the efficiency and efficiency of facility operations. The decreased need for manual labor, improved operator security, and longer lives of cleaned surfaces will help your investment pay dividends quickly.
This pandemic provides a great chance to consider ways to incorporate these intelligent cleaning robots into your routine maintenance routine. This is an excellent way to show your team that you are advancing your cleaning program, and also to lower the chance of contracting. You'll get the greatest value for your money by selecting the best autonomous robots.
Robotic Vacuums
Robot vacuums use sensors to detect obstacles and help them navigate their way around the home. Certain models employ infrared sensors, similar to the ones used in self-driving vehicles to create an imaginary map. Others use camera-based sensors that detect objects and avoid them. The sensors also let you choose an area of your home for cleaning, either with the on-board controls or a smartphone app. Some models let you control the robot with voice commands, allowing you to choose to clean one room or send it to hug the walls to do a perimeter clean.
Robotic vacuums are great to remove dirt from carpets and rugs but they aren't able to get into pet hair clumps, or other mess that require more than an easy sweep. They can't remove dust near baseboards or other edges. This requires a more thorough cleaning than you can receive with a canister or upright vacuum.
When selecting a robot vacuum pick one that has powerful suction and brushes designed to collect dirt from surfaces. The best models have features like object recognition technology, adjustable settings and pet mode. Go through the manual to determine the recommended maintenance intervals. Most models only require you to empty the trash, and wipe down the wheels, sensors, and charging contacts.
Most of the advanced robot vacuums and mops we test integrate with smart home systems that allow users to control them using smartphone apps or digital voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can schedule a cleaning session or begin one and set a timer for it to be completed while you are away. You can also pause a cleaning session to recharge, and return to where they started. Many robot vacuums are still not as effective as traditional vacuums in tight spaces and on stairs. Their compact designs may also be difficult to maneuver around furniture.
Robotic Floor Scrubbers
Robotic floor scrubbers are different from vacuum cleaners. Instead of using water to wash the dirt and grime off flooring made of hard surfaces they make use of water to dissolve it. They can either be self-propelled or operated by an operator. Modern models can detect and navigate through obstacles and reduce the time needed to clean. Certain models have an intelligent water management systems which recycles the same water for hours.
Using a robotic cleaning machine can increase the amount of labor in facilities that are not adequately staffed or have high turnover rates. Staff can concentrate on other tasks when robots are on the job. In a hospital setting, that could mean making sure that high-touch surfaces like doors, countertops, and bathrooms are cleaned and sanitized. In a retail store it could mean helping customers find what they require and avoiding frustration with smudges on glass and windows.
Robotic floor scrubbers are programmed to work at specific times and their cleaning route can be tailored with a variety of mode options to meet unique cleaning needs. They can be monitored in real-time, allowing managers to oversee their progress through a mobile app or web-based portal. Some companies collect this data and make it available to the end-users which allows them to pinpoint areas of improvement.
The most basic models, which could be as low as $100, come with only a single reservoir of water, and a static, swiffer-like pad that sprays and wipes off dirt. More sophisticated models come with two rotating pads that scrub and mop floors, with self-emptying docks for taking out dirty water and refilling with fresh cleaning solution. The fanciest robot mop-vacs can also distinguish between different kinds of flooring and return to their docks mid-clean to dump unused cleaning solution and clean their brushes. They then refill with fresh cleaning solution.
All types of cleaning robots are linked to a cloud-based system that offers highly detailed reports on their performance and usage, including precision productivity metrics as well as heat maps of the coverage areas cleaned, anomalies and other alerts. This information can be accessed remotely by facility managers and other staff members who have access to the system.
Robotic Floor Mop
If you are looking for a non-hands-on method to maintain your floors, robotic mopping is your best bet. These robots will clean your tile floors and wood floors between deep cleaning sessions and will keep dust dirt, pet hair, crumbs and other debris at low levels. They work on all sealed hard flooring, including vinyl, laminate, and hardwood. The majority of robot mops can be operated with a timer to clean at specific times. You can also make use of the app to alter cleaning modes, create a schedule or monitor when the mop requires maintenance such as changing the filter.
Robotic floor mops typically require an additional tank of water for mopping. It can be difficult to fill and empty when the pads become dirty. Choose a model that has an automatic emptying dock or one that is easily empty when needed.
Certain models also have the ability to vacuum, but you may need to empty the bin after every cleaning session (unless it has an auto-emptying base). If your floors are especially filthy, you may be able to get better results if you let the robot sweep and then mop.
Most robot mops use tap water, however some will let you add a cleaning solution into the water tank for extra-strength cleaning. You should only use the cleaners recommended by the manufacturer. If you use cleaners that are not approved, it could harm your machine or cancel the warranty.
Some apps allow you to not just start and stop your bot but also create an outline map and establish virtual barriers or no-go zones. Some even let you know when the battery is low and the mop has to be cleaned.
Consider a hybrid robot like the Ecovacs Roborock Q Revo or the Deebot X2. Both can store maps of your floors, and they can track and automatically charge if the batteries are running low during cleaning. They also come with a range of other useful features including a remote start and stop button, as well as an app that allows you to set up an automated cleaning schedule and observe when your mop requires maintenance.