Let us clean: Robot vacuum cleaners for construction sites, workshops and offices

Trades 4.0: Floor cleaning typically plays a secondary role in the trades, but businesses need to clean almost daily. Robot vacuums can significantly reduce personnel requirements in this area. What should you consider when purchasing?

This article is part of the special feature on digital craftsmanship.

Progressive digitalization is automating everyday tasks , including floor cleaning. Robotic vacuums can handle regular cleaning not only in homes but also in offices, assembly halls, workshops, and construction sites . The advantages are clear: these cordless vacuums are easy to transport, ready to use instantly, and simple to operate. A simple press of a button or a command via an app is all it takes – and the robotic vacuums get to work. Thanks to cameras and sensors, many of these automated helpers are now so intelligent that they can independently avoid obstacles and stairs.

While there are now many different devices available for home use, the selection for professional applications is still limited. Nevertheless, several robotic vacuum cleaners are available on the market that perform well in tradespeople's environments.

Offices and small workshops

For office spaces in workshops, robotic vacuum cleaners, originally designed for home use, are a good choice. However, it's important to pay attention to the cleaning capacity : better models can handle up to 200 square meters . These vacuums are also usually sufficient for smaller workshops where not too much dirt accumulates. One drawback is the relatively small dustbin : the volume is typically between 0,3 and 0,5 liters . Since the bins have to be emptied manually, businesses should assess beforehand whether the capacity is adequate. An alternative is a model with an automatic emptying station : the robotic vacuum cleaner returns to this station automatically as soon as the dustbin is full. This allows for larger areas to be cleaned without manual intervention.

Depending on the type of flooring , robotic vacuum cleaners with an optional automatic mopping function can also be a good option . These devices use an integrated water tank to keep the mopping pad continuously moist. Some models allow the vacuuming and mopping functions to be used either sequentially or simultaneously. If offices or workshops have many obstacles, such as cables, tools, or machinery, a robotic vacuum cleaner with obstacle detection , intelligent navigation , or floor plan/mapping capabilities is the best choice. This allows the device to automatically avoid contact with obstacles.

You might also be interested in:

Operations management

Makita presents battery-powered motor unit as an alternative to the gasoline engine

Craft policy

Together for the future of skilled trades: Reforms are necessary

Operations management

Digital occupational safety solutions: Safety through new technologies

Use in harsh environments

In larger workshops where a lot of dust, material residue, or sawdust accumulates, conventional robotic vacuum cleaners are quickly overwhelmed . For these applications, there are devices with larger dust containers, more power, and longer runtimes. The Makita DRC200Z, for example, can clean areas up to 500 square meters and offers a 2,5-liter dust container . This makes the device suitable for use on construction sites that require a rough cleaning after work.

Optimal: obstacle-free floors

Robot vacuums work best when floors are as free of obstacles as possible . To assist the automatic cleaning helper, cables should be bundled and laid out in such a way that the robot cannot get tangled in them. If certain areas should not be vacuumed at all, there are several options: Some models can be programmed via an app so that specific areas are not cleaned . Other devices use sensors to detect, for example, virtual walls or markings on the floor that they will not cross. Programmable devices also offer further advantages: For example, a timer function allows you to define fixed times during which the robot vacuum will work. Some devices also offer the option of setting the cleaning order of rooms.

Surf tip: Robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers
www.roborock.com
irobot.de
makita.de
kemaro.ch
The biggest disadvantage of cordless vacuum cleaners: They require significantly more time than a human cleanerMost devices require 25 square meters around 15 to 30 minutes. Professional top devices such as the Kemaro K900 but can also 1.000 square meters per hour To maximize work efficiency, businesses should ensure that the device's functions meet their specific requirements—especially in terms of area performance, operating time, and control options.

Checklist: Find the optimal robot vacuum cleaner

- Does the robot vacuum have cleaning modes for the desired floor types (e.g. laminate, tiles, carpet)?
- Is the volume of the built-in dust container sufficient or does an automatic suction station make sense?
- Is an additional wiping function required?
- Do large amounts of dust or material residues accumulate, making a powerful robot vacuum cleaner for commercial use necessary?
- Are there many obstacles, so that a device with automatic obstacle detection and avoidance would be useful?
- Does the robot vacuum offer long battery life and short charging times?
- Does the device automatically return to the charging station when the batteries are empty? And does the robot continue working after recharging?
- Is the device easy to clean?
- Can individual parts of the device be exchanged and replaced (e.g. cleaning rollers, brushes, battery, filters)?

Photo: © Thomas Busch