It’s no secret that keeping windows clean is a difficult task, and that’s particularly true if your business operates within a multi-story facility with large and difficult-to-reach windows.
To combat these issues, many commercial cleaning services use scaffolding alongside expensive mechanisms that lift human cleaners high into the air to get the job done, but in addition to being expensive, manual approaches like these are rife with hazards. If just one thing goes wrong, be it the scaffold flipping or someone losing their balance, the results can be catastrophic.
It is because of these risks that window cleaning is undergoing a dramatic shift toward a more technological direction that works to make window cleaning a safer, more effective, and more cost-efficient task.
If you are looking for a reputable, reliable, and experienced commercial cleaning service to handle your facility’s cleaning needs, 360Clean is ready for the task. Our proven approach to cleaning has helped clients across a variety of industries to optimize their businesses and keep their employees and customers safe. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Commercial Cleaning Drones
Commercial cleaning drones are one of today’s most popular window-cleaning innovations, as — given their propulsion abilities and inherent dexterity — they can easily reach places that would be otherwise treacherous for humans.
The result is a more effective and quicker window cleaning job, though some people remain unconvinced in regards to their practicality. After all, they represent a relatively new technology that could potentially automate the jobs of thousands of workers across the country.
The rest of this post will examine the capabilities of drones in comparison to those of human window washers on commercial buildings so you can get an idea of a drone’s potential effectiveness within your cleaning fleet.
How Do Drone Cleaning Services Work?
When used for cleaning duties, drones ascend to their target destination, apply a cleaning solution to the window, then wipe it away with a squeegee. Currently, the state of drone technology has plenty of room for improvement, as they are not yet capable of the customized cleanliness that human cleaners can achieve, but given the rapid rate of technological developments and the focus on cost-saving initiatives, it is not difficult to imagine a future where the abilities of commercial cleaning drones surpass that of their human counterparts.
Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Drones
There are two different types of cleaning drones: autonomous and semi-autonomous drones.
Autonomous drones are still in development, but their intended operation is to fly to the target location from their command center, apply the cleaning solution, and clean it without the need for any human intervention. Semi-autonomous drones, in contrast, require human input to steer them, so they feature integrated cameras to provide a proper view. The human operator is also responsible for deploying the cleaning solution and squeegee.
Both feature LTE and 5G connectivity, which means they can be controlled from a great distance. The intent, though, is to engineer them so they can operate without the need for any human control whatsoever. In theory, all a person would need to do is push a button, watch the drones do their thing, and make sure they dock at the appropriate station when they finish their task.
Pros and Cons
While the influx of new technology is certainly inspiring and exciting, the use and implementation of drones are subject to their own set of pros and cons. For example, drones have not reached the same level of precision in manual labor as human window washers, but they’ll prove especially useful in dangerous environments where humans could potentially lose their lives.
Even with that being said, though, it is likely only a matter of time before technological developments enable cleaning drones to supersede physical human labor.
What Makes Window Washing Drones So Effective?
Today, the primary selling point for window-washing drones is their ability to simplify tasks that would otherwise result in hours of arduous labor, and in that regard, it won’t be long before their current limitations are shattered by rapid technological developments.
Below, we will examine some more of the most useful benefits of window-cleaning drones:
The Ability to Clean Multiple Windows Simultaneously
Unlike human window washers, drones can maneuver around the circumference of a building without the need for cumbersome scaffolding, which grants them unfettered access to the building’s windows and greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to clean several of them at once.
The Ability to Ascend to Difficult Spaces
In addition to their ability to clean multiple windows at once, drones can service a building for as long as their batteries allow, which, in addition to their powerful propulsion abilities and smooth navigation systems, allows them to ascend to high and otherwise treacherous areas with ease.
Future technological developments will likely result in greater battery longevity and the ability to remotely swap batteries when they are running low, which will result in drones being able to travel even further for longer periods of time.
Working Without Putting Human Life at Risk
It doesn’t take an expert to see that manual window washing is an extremely high-risk job. Throughout the history of the profession, window washers have been subjected to severe injuries and the risk of death. Using a drone can minimize the number of annual deaths and lower associated insurance costs, which could save you time and money.
Achieving Pristine Results
As mentioned earlier, drones have trouble yielding the same levels of cleanliness as their human counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t achieve high-quality results at all. In addition, many of them use eco-friendly cleaning technologies and solutions that minimize the overall impact on the environment.
Cost-Efficiency
Currently, companies hiring human window washers need to pay for their workers’ salaries, pay for the costs of their insurance, and cover any mishaps that may occur, all of which, as you might imagine, can get rather expensive.
With drones, all a company needs to do is purchase the drone and pay the pilot. Outside of those initial expenses, a company may only have to set aside some money for routine maintenance in case some of the drone’s parts need to be repaired.
Saving Time
In terms of speed, manual cleaners are no match for drones, which can clean multiple windows in the span of just a few minutes. Considering the setup time and safety protocols that must be adhered to when human window washers are involved, as well, the expediency and cost-effectiveness that drones afford can save business owners ample time and money.
The Use of Sensors and Cameras
Whereas the human eye is prone to subjective error, drones are equipped with sensors and cameras that enable them to identify the nuances of any given space. Many drones also supply a visual feed to their human operators, allowing for easy navigation and override in the event that new dirty spots are discovered.
Altogether, drones can save businesses time and money by providing expedient service in a short amount of time and with minimal risk.
Are Window Washing Drones Really Less Expensive?
Cost efficiency is one of the main selling points of window-washing drones, but just how cost-effective are they? Compared to the costs involved in manual window cleaning, drones are substantially cheaper.
Consider the following areas in which window-cleaning drones could save your company money:
Cleaning Equipment
Manually cleaning windows in a safe manner requires several expensive pieces of equipment, including baskets, ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and rope systems. In addition to purchasing these items, you will need to make sure they are adequately maintained throughout the year. Failure to do so could result in injury or death and open your business to potential litigation.
Salaries and Insurance Costs
A single drone can replace an entire team of cleaners. If you have recently priced out the cost of your window cleaners, you’re probably aware of how much money a drone could save you on an annual basis. In addition to your cleaners’ base salary, you also factor in the cost of benefits and insurance, but with a drone, all you have to pay for is the drone itself, the pilot, and routine maintenance.
Ready to Clean Your Windows? Contact 360Clean Today
If you are tired of spending your time and energy overseeing the cleaning of your building’s dirty windows when you have more important matters to attend to, contact 360Clean today. We provide thorough and expedient cleaning services that have satisfied clients from a variety of industries.
At 360Clean, our goal is to ensure the safety of your clients and employees by providing unparalleled cleaning services that leave your building spotless and reduce the number of harmful bacteria that could be lurking on any given surface. When you partner with us, you’ll have all the benefits of our proven JaniMed® Cleaning System and processes, which involves the use of hospital-grade disinfectants, microfiber cloths, and other cutting-edge cleaning techniques. Contact us today and let us know how we can help.
To learn more about our commercial cleaning services, contact us today for a free quote. Thanks for stopping by our blog; we hope to help you soon!