What is a robotic floor machine?
- They operate independently once functioning. They follow pre-programmed routes and some can adapt to environmental changes, such as obstacles in their path.
- Examples of robotic floor machines can include robotic scrubbers, which wash and dry floors, and robotic sweepers, which collect debris and dust.
Robotic floor machine benefits
- As a result of not being operated manually, they reduce labour costs.
- They are efficient and productive, as they allow human staff to work on other tasks.
- They are fairly consistent in their results barring any technical issues.
- They can operate outside of working hours.
- Suitable for simple daily cleaning tasks.
Robotic floor machine considerations
- May not be as thorough as an actual person.
- Can be prone to technical issues over time.
- Requires emptying regularly, will not be effective if not emptied. The same applies for replenishing cleaning solutions if applicable.
- Has the potential to be a hazard especially if in operation during working hours.
- May struggle with complex floor plans.
- In some instances may not be suitable for heavy-duty cleaning tasks.
Is a robotic floor machine suitable for every warehouse?
Why would a warehouse need a robotic floor machine?
Warehouse environments can vary significantly, but most, if not all require the consistent cleaning capabilities of a robotic floor machine for the following reasons:
Foot traffic and debris
Large spaces
Warehouses can be particularly large, this means that cleaning manually can be labour intensive, and time consuming, depending on the capabilities of the manual cleaner. Robotic cleaners manage to cover these larger spaces.
Safety & hygiene standards
- Failing hygiene standards (in instances of pharmaceuticals and food warehouses etc).
- Create hazards that contaminate products or create a slip hazard.
- Has the potential to negatively affect staff who have sensitivities to dust.
Is a robotic floor machine more effective than a cleaning service?
- Versatility: Professional cleaning services provide a wide range of services from general to specialised cleaning tasks. Some may even provide cleaning services that are relevant to your business itself that may require more than a general clean.
- Disinfection: Although a handful of robotic floor machines can distribute cleaning solutions on the floors they clean, a professional cleaning services have a wider and more thorough scope of distributing disinfection solutions manually.
- Flexibility: With a professional cleaning service, you can organise specific cleaning days and which services will take place during these days. This can be adapted as and when necessary.
- Human expertise: A trained operator can address more complex stains or cleaning needs that a robotic floor machine can’t. Furthermore, they have the ability to clean areas that robotic cleaners cannot reach. (Such as spaces that are not on the floor itself).
Which is safer? Professional cleaners or robotic floor machines?
There is no distinction between whether a professional cleaner or robotic floor machine is safer when it comes to warehouse operations. This is because the factors that affect the safety are surprisingly similar between the two. Let us explain:
Factors that affect safety - Robotic floor machines
- Hardware has the potential to be faulty, or develop faults that need to be fixed before using. If left unaddressed, it causes the potential for an accident, especially if navigation systems are affected.
- Certain debris if collected by the floor machine, or left to accumulate, has the potential to become a fire hazard.
- Some robotic floor machines may have the potential to shock somebody if it has been in contact with excessive amounts of liquid.
- Software bugs may need addressing via updates.
Factors that affect safety - human cleaners
- Lack of protocol/training.
- Sudden illness whilst conducting the clean.
- Lack of awareness can result in injury.
- Use of incorrect solutions/ cleaning equipment.
- Lack of safety gear including things like wet floor signs.
When it comes to factors that affect human cleaners, they are generally a non-issue as long as you secure the services of an established professional cleaning service.
Warehouse cleaning services
- Chemical degreasing
- Steam cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Power-scrubbing
- Auto-scrubbing
- Stain and spill removal
- Debris and dust removal
- Power-scraping
- Sanding, and shot-blasting
- Vacuuming
- High-speed burnishing
- Spray buffing, waxing, and stripping
- Low moisture bonnet cleaning
- Deep extraction
- Commercial carpet cleaning
- Trash clean up
- Window cleaning
- Exterior cleaning
- Cleaning of washrooms
- Deep cleaning
In this blog, we’ve provided the key information you need to know when it comes to robotic floor machines, and whether they are the key to faster, safer, warehouse cleaning. Whilst providing supplementary information about the benefits of our professional services.
Our commitment to fair pricing, environmental sustainability, and personalised service sets us apart. We prioritise quality through rigorous control measures, including monthly audits with advanced software, real-time management via iPads, and an automated time and attendance system.
As members of esteemed trade bodies, we adhere to the highest industry standards. Beyond core cleaning, we offer a full suite of soft and hard FM services, ensuring comprehensive building maintenance. Want to know if our services apply to your business or site? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to secure a superior clean.
