Engineers in Singapore have come up with a novel robotic system that can clean building exteriors using jets of water, or give buildings new coats of paint.
The robot, dubbed OutoBot, was co-developed by Singaporean company ELID Technology International, a pioneer in automated controls and biometric contactless systems, and Nanyang technological University.
According to the engineers behind the OutoBot, the patent-pending automation solution will improve productivity while enhancing workplace safety. It reduces the manpower required to undertake cleaning and painting tasks, while being able to work for longer hours.
In a typical building façade washing or painting operation, a team of five is required. Two are situated on the ground and rooftop, and three act as cleaners or painters on the suspended gondola.
An OutoBot deployment requires just two workers: one operator on the ground, and one safety officer.
OutoBot comprises of a robotic arm with six-degrees of freedom mounted on a specially designed automated gondola and weighs under 500kg.
Powered by a conventional power outlet, the robot can scan the exterior surface of a building using a camera and automatically plot the areas to spray paint or clean while avoiding the windows. It also gives a more consistent coat of paint as compared to the manual methods.
Apart from saving up to 50 per cent manpower requirements, it can speed up both the cleaning and painting process by about 30 per cent since it does not need a break. The automated system also minimises wastage, saving up to 20 per cent of paint.
To speed up the process at the same building, multiple systems can be deployed.
Managing Director of ELID Technology International, Dennis Lim, who first came up with an idea of the robotic system, said it would tackle productivity issues for painting buildings, and allow the rapidly aging workforce to continue contributing even as they advance in years.
"Using our new robot, we have shown that a labour-intensive job can transformed into one that can be easily done by an older worker, and at the same time eliminating the risk of employees having to work at heights," he said.
Professor Chen I-Ming, Director of the NTU Robotic Research Centre, and part of the university's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, jointly led the development of the OutoBot. He said that the project is an example of how engineering expertise can be used to improve productivity, while enhancing worker safety.
"Our aim is to make the cleaning and painting of high-rise buildings easier, safer and more cost-effective," he explained.
"By using spray painting over conventional roller painting, our robot is also more precise and efficient, minimising waste and saving paint."
The OutoBot has been tested at an industrial building, and will be deployed for an upcoming project over the next few months. Through the trials, the developers will work to refine or customise the design of the robot to better suit building requirements.
[Nominations are now open for the Engineers Australia Sir George Julius Award, AGM Michell Award, Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year Award. Find out more.]