Summary Reader Response #3

 Cleaning Robots

The webpage, “A Whiz at commercial cleaning," from SoftBank Robotics (n.d.), introduces the functions and features of Whiz, an “autonomous vacuum sweeper” that not only “uses a trusted AI platform” to provide “higher quality and more efficient cleaning", but also has proof of the overall performance of the system (SoftBank Robotics, n.d., p.1). To have safety precautions when the Whiz is operating, some safety features are being implemented. It consists of a LIDAR sensor, a 3D camera, a sensor-installed bumper, cliff sensors, wheel contact sensors, and an emergency brake function. According to the Whiz webpage, the LIDAR sensors and the 3D camera are used for obstacle detection and fall prevention. The sensor-installed bumper is for impact detection. And lastly, the cliff sensors, wheel contact sensors, and emergency brake function are for anomaly detection. In addition to the safety features, there are also alert functions such as a notification pager, which attaches to the main unit, and a smartphone app. 


The technology that the Whiz cleaning robot presented allows it to be able to work hand in hand with the employees. Whiz cleaning robots are effective when being used for cleaning and it is also able to provide a safe environment for employees to work in, though it is true that robots are taking away the jobs of the employees.


Cleaning robots, such as Whiz, are able to work hand in hand with the employees. According to Ashton (n.d.), a robot created and designed to work alongside people is referred to as a “cobot.” “Cobotics” is a neologism created from the words “collaborative” and “robotics” (Infraspeak Team, 2022, p.7). Due to the “direct result” of the pandemic, cleanliness and sterilization have been the focal points (GERMii, 2021, p.4). Thus, by automating tedious and manual operations, robots can assist organizations in meeting the increased demand for cleanliness. The cleaners can then concentrate on other crucial tasks, such as sterilizing “high-touch, high-risk, or difficult-to-clean places” like elevator buttons, bathrooms, and desks (GERMii, 2021, p.7). This way, rather than competing with the employees, the robots are able to work together with them. With extra time to undertake new duties, employees may be able to “value-add” by providing the customers with more services (GERMii, 2021, p.8).


Whiz is able to provide a safe environment for the employees to work in. According to TEAM GROUP (n.d.), robots can significantly contribute to safer working conditions by reducing tasks that result in mishaps and blunders due to human error. Thanks to various technologies, some of the hardest and riskiest cleaning tasks can be performed without needing humans. Whiz will automate vacuuming so the cleaners can concentrate on more "human-centric duties" (GERMii, 2021, p.9). Whiz is able to steer clear of surrounding obstacles and informs the operators with “real-time data and alerts", putting the user’s mind at ease despite minimal supervision (GERMii, 2021, p.9). In addition, these “usage metrics and data analytics” are able to certify cleanliness for all building users while also enhancing cleanliness efficiency over time (GERMii, 2021, p.4).


Whiz is an effective, high-tech cleaning medium. According to Flynn (2022), cleaning robots are very effective at doing the jobs they are intended to do. They can be programmed to steer clear of areas with many potential obstacles. The “high-quality” cleaning robots available today will be built with “advanced sensors” that reduce the possibility of the robot becoming stuck or bumping into objects (Flynn, 2022, p.10). The current cleaning standard uses the “application of harsh antiviral chemicals" (GERMii, 2021, p.15). From health, financial, and environmental points of view, this is concerning as the long-term consequences of heavy chemical use are unknown. Staff should be advised not to use products excessively, and the disinfectants should be carefully checked to rule out any chances of having substances with negative side effects that could pose a problem, such as “respiratory irritation or disease” (Van Haltren, 2021, p.16). GERMii Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) is a device that is attached to the robot. With the aid of GERMii’s technology, UV-C is changed into a “concentrated beam of light” that is “lethal” to viruses, bacteria, and pathogens (Van Haltren, 2021, p.17). The cleaning staff only needs to use soap and cloth to sanitize the surfaces and disinfect them without using chemicals. In addition, when deployed together with Whiz, the UV-C module is close enough to the surface of the floor to “almost instantly” kill “Covid-19, bacteria, and fungi” (GERMii, 2021, p.18).


Despite the many benefits the Whiz cleaning robot has, it is also true that robots are taking away the jobs of employees. According to Taylor (2019), while researchers anticipated that the use of robots would gain a profit “in terms of productivity and economic growth”, they also recognized the negative impact that was anticipated to occur at the same time. The extensive impacts will alter the capabilities and potentially replace task that was once performed by humans (ET Online, 2020). Tens of millions of jobs will be lost to robots at an accelerating rate as the robots become progressively more advanced (Cooper, 2019). By 2030, an estimation of up to 20 million manufacturing jobs is set to be replaced by robots.


In conclusion, there is an ample amount of evidence to show that cleaning robots, such as Whiz, are beneficial to the industry. Whiz cleaning robots are able to work hand in hand with the employees. Whiz cleaning robots are effective when being used for cleaning and it is also able to provide a safe environment for employees to work in. However, with robots becoming more advanced and being used in the industry, the implementation of using cleaning robots should still be monitored carefully, in order to put people’s minds at ease, as it is a fact that robots are taking away the jobs of the employees. All in all, people should also approach this with an open mind so that it can help the industry in the long run.


Reference


Cooper, (2019, June), How robots change the world, what automation really means for jobs and productivity

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2240363/Report%20-%20How%20Robots%20Change%20the%20World.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp%3B_hsenc=p2ANqtz--K7kgPhJ7k-o3CX7f029ZmeMO_oDTNrwYYxrrVYFjKjh_0Oa3Wnz-U42mRNLGTqPLPd7TCgmS6n-ype13-3wEh-thBQw&amp%3B_hsmi=74013545&amp%3Butm_content=74013545&amp%3Butm_source=hs_automation&amp%3BhsCtaTracking=07b1855a-24f4-4b99-bcb8-b0d2a13b715e%7C53b7a48e-9591-4179-8eab-694443190b4f


ET Online, (2020, October 27), The Jobs They Are a-Going: Robots are replacing humans and why the future of jobs is bleak

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/the-jobs-they-are-a-going-robots-are-replacing-humans-and-why-the-future-of-jobs-is-bleak/replacing-humans/slideshow/78886747.cms


Flynn, (2022, June 29), Are cleaning robots effective?

https://www.robotlab.com/cleaning-robots/blog/are-cleaning-robots-effective


GERMii, (2021, June 1), How tech can ease the cleaning industry's manpower crunch https://govinsider.asia/intl-en/article/how-tech-can-ease-the-cleaning-industrys-manpower-crunch-robots-germii


Infraspeak Team, (2022, January 31), Cleaning Robots – they’re coming to get the virus, not you 

https://blog.infraspeak.com/cleaning-cobotics/


SoftBank Robotics, (n.d.), A Whiz at commercial cleaning.

https://us.softbankrobotics.com/whiz


SoftBank Robotics, (n.d.), Whiz AI Technology Revolutionizing Commercial Floor Care

https://apac.softbankrobotics.com/apac/robots/


SoftBank Robotics, (n.d.), Whiz Commercial Robot Vacuum

https://usinfo.softbankrobotics.com/hubfs/Whiz%20Data%20Sheet/Whiz%20Data%20Sheet.pdf?hsCtaTracking=8b360bab-957c-494c-aad9-3efd2daf6b6b%7C9393d9da-e6e4-4b6d-874b-eb3e7e105a91


Taylor, (2019, June 26), Robots could take over 20 million jobs by 2030, study claims

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/26/robots-could-take-over-20-million-jobs-by-2030-study-claims.html


TEAMGROUP, (n.d.), Cleaning of the future: should we let robots take over?

https://www.team-group.com/cleaning-of-the-future-should-we-let-robots-take-over/#:~:text=ADVANTAGES%20OF%20CLEANING%20ROBOTS&text=Robots%20can%20play%20an%20important,and%20most%20dangerous%20cleaning%20tasks

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