These days, robotics is the talk of the town in the professional-cleaning industry, but robots are nothing new; they have worked alongside people in factories and warehouses for decades. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) confirms that more than 400,000 industrial robots were shipped in 2018, with a slight reduction in 2019, and average growth of 12% is expected from 2020 to 2022. (Source)
As technology advances, we are beginning to see greater diversity among sophisticated workplace robotics – and autonomous cleaning is a great example.
“Now, in addition to traditional industrial robots, we have professional service robots, collaborative robots that work alongside workers, and mobile autonomous robots in a wide range of industries and enterprises,” explains Vladimir Murashow, senior scientist and a member of the Center for Occupational Robotics Research. (Source).
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However, according to Charalambos Freed, Head of Standardization and Government Relations at Nilfisk, this situation has changed: in December 2017, the first safety standard aimed specifically at the functions of commercial robotic-floorcare machines, CSA/ANSI C22.2 No. 336-17, came into effect. Developed by the American National Standards Institute and the Canadian Standards Association, it requires that commercial robotic-floorcare machines run safely and smoothly in public, dynamic, and populated environments.
“With this new standard, all commercial robotic-floorcare machines sold in the US and Canada must satisfy the basic safety requirements of a commercial floorcare machine, and CSA/ANSI C22.2 No. 336-17, in order to receive certification,” explains Freed, who chairs the commercial robotic-floorcare machine standards group within the CSA, and worldwide at IEC*.
According to the American National Standards Institute, a third-party certification “provides unique credibility” and serves as an independent verdict that the product is safe.
In some markets, such as the US, employers are legally obliged to conduct due diligence on equipment used at their facilities; failing to comply can lead to product recall, market withdrawal, or fines. Using equipment that meets industry standards is a robust approach to satisfying this legal requirement.
According to Freed, the safety standard for commercial robotic-floorcare machines creates a safe environment for customers that want, or need, to protect occupants in a dynamic environment – whether they are employees or visitors.
“If a machine is third-party certified according to harmonized standards, the machine is presumed to be compliant with the requirements of applicable safety directives and regulations. That certification offers reassurance that your facilities are safe once you start implementing autonomous solutions in your cleaning operation”, explains Charalambos Freed.
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The new safety requirements for commercial robotic-floorcare machines focus on the following features:
- Stopping distance
- Obstacle-detection/avoidance
- Abrupt surface fall-detection
- Critical-zone detection
- Parking brakes
- Max speed
- Machine-start audio signal
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experience autonomous cleaning
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How does the process work?
Once you request your Liberty SC50 demo, an Intelligent Cleaning expert will get in touch with you to schedule a meeting.
- STEP 1: Understanding your need. On the call, we will ask questions to help us understand your current cleaning operation, process, and ideal fit for autonomous cleaning.
- STEP 2: Scheduling the visit. We will pick an on-site location, and reserve a 2-hour time slot that works best for your team.
- STEP 3: Seeing the Liberty SC50 in action! Our team will bring the Liberty SC50 to your site for a live demonstration.
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