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Test Environments for Autonomous Cleaning Machines
The proposed project aims to provide test facilities in order for cleaning contractors to address the operational and organisational issues of introducing fully automated industrial floor cleaning machines (cleaning robots). Such machines could substantially increase productivity in cleaning large commercial/public building floor areas.
The proposed work entails the provision of cleaning robot prototypes based directly on the results of ESPRIT project ACRO (EP6051) and the CABX/AUROR development funded by French public authorities, for user trials and bench-marking tests. Two navigational approaches will be assessed to establish criteria for appropriate trade-off in flexibility and ease of operation, end-users will have the opportunity to establish criteria for appropriate application sites based on economic justification and operational restrictions. Special emphasis will be given to proving the safety of the system against Machinery Directive requirements and especially to establish confidence in the use of a sonar-based protection unit as an "electronic bumper" replacing the cumbersome mechanical bumpers currently required.
Dissemination of practical experience from this application, which involves non-technical end-users, tough cost benefit criteria and high public visibility, will assist in overcoming the barriers to introducing automation in facility management caused by current working practices. The proposed work is also seen as a strategic opportunity to raise the profile of the cleaning services industry as an investor in IT and to promote a change of attitude to what has traditionally been regarded as a low skill, low value activity and enable service providers to provide a higher value service in an industry currently worth 100 billion ECU in Europe. Presentations will be used to stimulate debate between building designers and service providers on the opportunities for using new technology to reduce cleaning costs. Widespread adoption of the technology will provide incentives to raise employment standards for Europe's 1.9 million cleaners by provision of better training, more secure jobs and through increased productivity and better pay. For the industrial partners, who are SMEs, the field trials will enable better assessment of return on investment and provide a demand for products manufactured by them.
CONTACT POINT
Ms. Monica Schofield
Hako-Werke GmbH & Co.
Hamburgerstrasse 209-239
D-23843 Bad Oldesloe
Germany
tel: + 49.4531.806 213
fax: + 49.4531.806 224
PARTICIPANTS
Hako-Werke GmbH & Co. (D) - Coordinator
Initial Contract Services Ltd (UK)
ISS AS (DK)
Microsonic GmbH (D)
Cybernetix (F)
BG (D)
START DATE
15-October-1996
DURATION
24 months
The URL of this document is /esprit/src/22173.htm
It was last updated on 13 January 1998 and is maintained by webiim@dg3.cec.be.