TEAM is taking the results of the ACRO project, a demonstrator of an autonomous cleaning robot, further towards a full industrial prototype application demonstrator in order to enable end-users to test the systems. TEAM disseminates know-how concerning cleaning automation through demonstrations of the robot in order to raise the profile of the cleaning industry.
In the ACRO project (EP 6051) components and technologies were developed for a technology demonstrator of an autonomous cleaning robot. The TEAM project is taking these results further towards a full industrial prototype application demonstrator in order to enable end-users to test the systems. A key aspect of the TEAM project is dissemination of know-how concerning cleaning automation through demonstrations of the robot in order to raise the profile of the cleaning industry as an investor in IT and to promote a change of attitude in what has traditionally been regarded as a low-cost, low-skill service industry. The ever increasing costs of cleaning, the fact that they represent one of the major overhead costs for public facilities and the fact that the cleaning equipment supply industry consists of very mature products has led to the demand for innovation to improve productivity including automation. The TEAM project provides users with the opportunity to bench mark chiefly two different types of navigation system to establish the appropriate trade-off in flexibility and ease of operation. Special emphasis is also given to other operational aspects and especially to establish criteria for the selection of sites based on economic justification. In addition careful attention is being paid to the public acceptability of using an "electronic bumper" as protection. The prototypes are based on the cleaning robot mechanics developed under the ACRO project with further enhancements to facilitate the integration of different types of navigation system; a new safety sensor system based on the Microsonic Sonarschutz and the automatic control system software developed under the ACRO project which has been re-engineered to take into account user requirements.