New robot cleaner rolls onto campus

Those returning to Burnaby campus this fall may have noticed a surprising new addition to the custodial team working across campus: a rather large autonomous robot floor cleaner.

Controlled via an app, this robot allows custodial staff to automate a number of tasks including setting cleaning routes and monitoring its progress in real time.

Far from replacing jobs, the robot is a tool that custodial staff have been using to make their work more efficient, to allow for more time to focus on higher-value tasks while ensuring a consistent, high standard of cleanliness across campus. On long hallways where the robot is currently operating, custodial staff now only need to do touch-ups around corners the robot can’t reach.

Thanks to advanced safety features, the large robot cleaner can navigate busy hallways without posing a risk to people or objects. The robot is equipped with multiple sensors and will stop immediately if a person or object is detected. If someone attempts to sit on it while it’s running, the robot stops instantly and sends a notification to the custodial staff monitoring it, who will inspect the machine before it can continue.

Technology-wise it is impressively energy efficient. It can run for four hours on a single charge and uses electricity to ionize water which creates a natural cleaning solution. 

“The robot floor cleaner is a great tool that has been supporting custodial staff since August of this year,” says Krystal Ness, Associate Director, Buildings and Grounds for Facilities Services. “This robot has been helping to handle routine physical tasks, freeing up time to focus on higher-value work that really makes a difference.”

The robot supports workload and well-being, improves cleaning quality, and does so at no additional cost to the university.

At this point we don’t have a name for this robot floor cleaning machine on campus. If you have some suggestions for names, feel free to email them to mgr_cws@sfu.ca. Maybe we’ll even do an IG poll in the future!

You’ll see the robot roaming all around Burnaby campus, but mostly around Applied Sciences Building, Shrum Sciences, West Mall Centre and AQ 3000. 

“We’ve had great feedback so far,” adds Ness. “People are curious, and once they understand how it works, they’re excited to see it in action.”