Robotic cleaning technology takes over Christchurch Airport
In partnership with Christchurch Airport, facilities management services company OCS New Zealand launched its AI-powered cleaning journey today to improve efficiency and decrease its environmental footprint.
The innovative Gausiam autonomous cleaning robotic floor scrubber 75, nicknamed OSCA, joins a robotic vacuum cleaner at the Airport, where the advanced duo will support the 46-strong cleaning team.
While not a human vs. robot scenario, the internationally award-winning “co-biotic” cleaning technology has been extensively trialled in the United Kingdom, showing there’s seamless integration with the cleaning workforce, allowing the removal of repetitive tasks and the addition of services such as touch point and detailed cleaning, which has surged since the COVID pandemic infiltrated the globe.
OCS ANZ Managing Director, Gareth Marriott, says the technology supports the company's sustainability commitments of reducing their own and their customer’s environmental impact
“The environmental benefits of the robotic cleaning technology initially attracted us as we realised we could reduce our water consumption by up to 70 per cent and cut down power usage by using new generation lithium batteries.
“This is another exciting chapter of co-biotics to improve our customer service, environmental impact, and social mobility.”
The award-winning global technology was developed in Singapore and was initially trialled in Christchurch Airport in May.
OCS’ Aviation Operations Manager Southern Region Amanda Barnes is clear the innovative technology has changed the way they work for the better.
“The technology has enabled some of our team members to step up and innovate their approach to cleaning with the support of the robotics.
“By reducing mundane tasks, our team can work on more meaningful work, including high-value cleaning tasks that a robot can’t do, ultimately working in partnership with each other. We’re changing the face of cleaning and lifting up our people.”
Since expressing an interest in the machines, OCS robotic administrator, Mike Snow was previously an OCS trolley collector but has become a robotics ‘expert’.
“I think it's pretty cool to be working with Bunzl and Autobot learning this technology and getting to know its limitations – it's really thorough but could never replace the expert hands of a cleaner.”
The Scrubber 75 AI-powered Robotic Floor Scrubber is an intelligent automated robot equipped with 20 plus sensors around the machine body for environmental perception and obstacle avoidance.
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