What Is an Autonomous Floor Scrubber and How Does It ...

Autonomous floor scrubbers can help commercial cleaning teams boost efficiency in a wide range of industries and cleaning applications. Many can even improve their performance over time.

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In this article, we explain what these powerful cleaning solutions do, how they work, and whether they could be the right fit for your indoor commercial space.

Understanding Autonomous Floor Scrubbers: Function and Capabilities

To summarize, an autonomous floor scrubber is an automated cleaning machine created to execute typical commercial cleaning chores for hard floor surfaces. These tasks include scrubbing, dust mopping, and sweeping, all performed in the most efficient way possible. A robust robotic floor scrubber can effectively eliminate dust, grime, small debris, scuffs, stains, and spills.

Autonomous floor scrubbers are tailored to clean efficiently with minimal human input, making them ideal for any high-traffic, hard-floored large indoor space that requires constant cleaning. Modern autonomous floor scrubbers can automatically navigate obstacles, including people, allowing them to operate safely in crowded, dynamic environments without needing to stick to strict pre-programmed routes. Shopping centers, office complexes, hotels, sports venues, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions are just a few examples of places that need constant, efficient cleaning.

These automated solutions are versatile and can be employed across a broad range of facilities because they can clean common commercial floor types such as:

• Natural stone
• Artificial marble or granite
• PVC and vinyl flooring
• Epoxy surfaces
• Concrete
• Ceramic tile

Robotic floor scrubbers can precisely manage water usage compared to traditional bucket-and-mop systems, allowing them to clean all these surfaces effectively while often conserving water. As we will discuss further, this precision is one of several methods through which these autonomous systems can curtail water consumption.

How Autonomous Floor Scrubbers Operate

Autonomous floor scrubbers use diverse cleaning attachments, enabling them to merge multiple cleaning functions (such as scrubbing and dust mopping) into a single, cohesive solution.

Most robotic floor scrubbers utilize a multi-component system to complete cleaning tasks:

1. An automated dispensing system to apply controlled amounts of water and/or cleaning solutions.
   
   
2. A scrubbing mechanism, which can be configured with a floor pad, disc brush, or roller brush, ensures floors are cleaned with power and accuracy that is hard to match manually.
   
   
3. A combined squeegee and vacuum system to dry the floor, remove cleaning agents, and leave behind a clean, safe area for customers. Dirty fluids, dust, and grime are kept in a tank within the scrubber until they're periodically emptied.

Using an array of sensors (including LiDAR, 3D, and RGP cameras) supported by advanced AI algorithms, certain autonomous floor scrubbers like the Scrubber 50 Pro don't just follow random or preset patterns nor rely on close human oversight. Instead, they proactively scan their surroundings for spills or other messes. These intelligent detection capabilities enable floor scrubbers to work more efficiently, concentrating on areas that most need cleaning while avoiding unnecessary repetitive cleaning of the same spots.

By learning their environment, the areas most likely to need cleaning, and the most efficient routes through the space, autonomous floor scrubbers can enhance their performance and efficiency over time.

Steps to Utilize an Autonomous Floor Scrubber Effectively

1. Train Staff to Collaborate with Cobots

An autonomous floor scrubber is a type of cobot—a collaborative robot—designed to work safely around human staff. While some employees might worry these machines will replace their jobs, robotic scrubbers actually handle the most repetitive tasks, allowing human staff to focus on more valuable and less monotonous duties.

2. Prepare the Facility for the Autonomous Floor Scrubber

Deploying an autonomous scrubber often requires setting up a station for recharging, emptying waste tanks, and refilling water. Advanced models like the Scrubber 50 Pro even offer automated stations that perform these tasks without human assistance.

3. Deploy the New Robotic Floor Scrubber

With the facility and staff set up, the scrubber can be programmed to clean according to a predetermined schedule or task list. It can also make dynamic decisions based on factors like urgent spills, battery level, and route efficiency.

A robotic floor cleaner should be user-friendly and straightforward to manage. The Scrubber 50 Pro, for example, features an intuitive display interface that makes setting up new machines and training employees easy.

Partnering with a trusted robotics provider is crucial during deployment. Trusted providers like SoftBank Robotics assist customers by training employees, programming routes and maps, and offering ongoing operational support.

4. Allow the Scrubber to Map the Space

Autonomous floor scrubbers can efficiently map and determine cleaning paths for their designated area. The Scrubber 50 Pro can map a 20,000 sq. ft. space in about 30 minutes. AI helps avoid obstacles, but virtual walls and avoidance zones can also be manually set for added safety.

5. Ensure Continued Operations and Maintenance

With access to a charging station and water supply for filling and draining, certain autonomous floor scrubbers like the Scrubber 50 Pro can operate continuously for up to 3 hours. The scrubber learns and adapts as it cleans.

Essential Features to Look For in a Robotic Floor Scrubber

When considering a robotic floor scrubber, what features should you prioritize? We recommend focusing on products with the following capabilities. While many automated solutions can perform basic cleaning tasks, the right features can significantly enhance your autonomous floor scrubbing system’s ROI.

Efficient Cleaning for Extensive Areas

The larger the area a floor scrubber can clean efficiently, the greater its value. For instance, the Scrubber 50 Pro can clean up to 12,000 sq. ft. per hour effectively with its disc brush.

Integrated Filtration Systems to Conserve Water

A water recycling system allows the machine to reuse water in its tank, letting it operate longer with less human intervention. The Scrubber 50 Pro, for example, features a 5-stage water recycling and filtration system that reduces freshwater consumption by about 75%.

Access to Real-Time, Actionable Data

Data-driven cleaning enables commercial cleaning teams to maximize efficiency, manage large-scale cleaning operations, and meet rising customer expectations. Autonomous floor scrubbers that gather data while cleaning increase your visibility into areas cleaned, frequency of cleaning, and the routes scrubbers take.

Sustainable Design

Efficient autonomous floor scrubbers contribute to sustainability. However, these benefits depend on the device's design. The Scrubber 50 Pro uses long-lasting, recyclable materials and features durable LFP batteries that can last up to 2,000 cycles.

Is an Automated Floor Scrubber the Right Choice for You?

Managing a commercial cleaning operation for a high-traffic space needing constant cleaning? Automated floor scrubbers provide immense value by freeing staff to focus on higher-value tasks while enhancing sustainability and achieving a deeper clean.

An automated commercial cleaning system can be an excellent investment. For example, the Scrubber 50 Pro offers benefits such as:

• Water recycling filtration system that cuts freshwater use by up to 75%, allowing for extended continuous operation (up to 3 hours).
  
  
• Capability to autonomously clean (scrubbing or dry mopping) up to 12,000 sq. ft. per hour, with intelligent obstacle avoidance and route optimization.
  
  
• Flexible automation that allows for unsupervised long-term cleaning with minimal human intervention while retaining manual operation capability via an ergonomic handle.

Beyond these tangible advantages, a Scrubber 50 Pro signals to customers that a facility is committed to maintaining a cleanest, safest environment utilizing advanced technology.

Learn More

As highlighted, automated floor scrubbers offer diverse benefits for commercial cleaning teams, driving efficiency, effective cleaning, and better sustainability.

Ready to leverage automated cleaning solutions? Discover what the Scrubber 50 Pro can achieve for your enterprise or schedule a consultation with one of our automation experts.