By Denise Williams | WFBSC Exchange
Automation has nestled comfortably into the commercial cleaning and facility management space, as drones soar to the top of high-rises for window washing and conventional equipment like scrubbers gain new, digital life. Meanwhile, the technology has continued to evolve, with the rollout of collaborative robots, or “cobots.” The technology serves a number of industries and has been making a name for itself in contract cleaning circles in recent years.
True to the name, cobots differ from traditional robots meant to perform a singular task previously executed by a human, and to do so independently. To the contrary, cobots are designed to interact directly with cleaning staff and to assist — not replace — them. Also unlike traditional robots, which typically require cages or other safety barriers to prevent collisions and keep people from being hurt, cobot software and sensors detect human activity and obstacles and navigate around these objects. The safety features allow the machines to occupy the same workspace as human staff without posing any danger to them. And, so, collaboration becomes possible.
A Job, Divided
With a common goal at the core, cobots and humans essentially share the work. The former tackles jobs that are routine, tedious, repetitive, or physically challenging, completing them in a fraction of the time it would take a live person and, importantly, with none of the boredom or need for breaks. Those tasks no longer their responsibility, human employees are thus enabled to train more attention on other priorities. As one example, while their cobot coworker focuses on vacuuming or mopping endless feet of flooring, the human member of the team can use judgment and expertise to tend to a stain that requires additional treatment but that was overlooked by the technology as a shadow. When not required to improvise and adapt as in the moment, they are free to spend more time on other details such as disinfecting high-touch areas like door handles and sensitive computer equipment. There is also the opportunity to pursue more creative and innovative work assignments and to deliver superior customer service. Staff may even have the chance to build on their skill set by learning how to operate and manage robotic equipment.
Benefits Galore
Advocates tick off multiple benefits of cobot adoption that are possible for owners:
- Reduced churn. Labor remains tight and employee turnover in the jan/san sector ranges from 200%-400% at any given time,* but investing in cobots relieves some of that pressure. The replacement of physically demanding tasks with higher-value work increases job satisfaction and retention while discouraging absenteeism.
- Productivity. Cobots optimize workflow, saving time and money while freeing up humans to prioritize tasks requiring greater attention to detail. By one estimate, a robotic vacuum can cover up to 1,200 square meters per hour versus just 250 square meters by manual methods.+
- Consistent and thorough performance. The technology won’t rush through a job or miss any designated areas. Artificial intelligence-based mapping tells it which areas have already been cleaned and which still are still waiting. This reliability translates to higher cleaning standards.
- Staff health and safety. Workers can avoid potential pain and injuries related to tough manual labor, which is now assigned to the cobot.
- Eco-friendliness. Some cobot models offer a “green” benefit, by conserving and recycling water and by using cleaning chemicals that don’t hurt the environment.
- Verification of a job well done. Some cobots are equipped with smart features capable of tracking and measuring performance as well as generating all-important “proof of service” reports to clients or facility managers.
Pairing the strengths — like consistency — of machines with the critical thinking and support of a human team represents the future of cleaning, say advocates. The result, they agree, is cleanliness that can clearly be seen but that is also measurable, efficient, and ongoing.
REFERENCES
* https://www.cleaningrobots.ie/2025/09/07/cobotics-robots-working-with-humans/#:~:text=Robots%20handle%20repetitive%20and%20physically,repetitive%20motion%20and%20heavy%20lifting.
+ https://issuu.com/kpmmedia/docs/fmj_may_2024
https://qualgroup.co.nz/cobots-in-cleaning-how-robots-and-humans-work-together-without-the-hassle/
https://nexaro.com/en/blogs/news/cobots-in-the-cleaning-industry#:~:text=Cobots%20were%20specially%20developed%20for,work%20through%20a%20preprogrammed%20routine.
https://www.issworld.com/en-us/insights/insights/blog/us/cleaning-cobots-in-the-work-place-part-2
https://www.cleaningrobots.ie/2025/09/07/cobotics-robots-working-with-humans/#:~:text=Robots%20handle%20repetitive%20and%20physically,repetitive%20motion%20and%20heavy%20lifting.
https://cleaningrobots.ro/about-cobotics/