From cleaning robots to iBeacons

Robotic cleaning machines

At the DoBots startup we've been selling autopilots to large (billion dollar turnover) cleaning machine manufacturers. Such an autopilot upgrades a machine to a full-fledged robot. You can see here for example how one of the team members, Bart, is being avoided by the robot. 

The meetups and conversations were really positive, time after time! However, after the third meeting with the same party and hearing again: "Yes, we go for this!", we realized that the slow pace of large companies is a mismatch for a startup like ours.

Performance-based contracting

The crux of the matter seems to be different though. Robots require a performance-based business model, while currently the cleaning industry tries to sell as many cleaning hours as possible. The cleaning industry is not performance-based at all! There are activities planned, and schedules to maintain. However, there is very little available that allows the contractor and the customer to talk about the quality of the work delivered. Moreover, there is even very little technology available that automatically informs the customer of the performed tasks.

Which bathroom has been used the most?

Energy companies are transitioning from mere energy providers to information providers about energy and habits. Likewise, the cleaning companies that know how to optimize the information flow between themselves and their customer, will have the most loyal clientele. It is very  important to know which rooms or which bathrooms have been used the most! To clean a room that is not in use for months is a waste of time and money!

Indoor localization

To make this happen, technology is required, the technology of indoor localization. At DoBots we have created the Crownstone product that functions as a so-called iBeacon. This makes it possible to pinpoint the location of cleaning personnel as well as users. The Crownstone is actually much more powerful than an iBeacon in the sense that it can scan for devices as well. This allows people to wear a fitness bracelet, a smart watch, or anything with Bluetooth Low-Energy, a smartphone is not required!

The Crownstone comes in a round form factor that can be plugged in a power outlet, but there is also one that can be put behind a socket. For more information see the current Kickstarter.

Hard numbers

To benefit optimally from technology like this, the cleaning industry has to calculate the reduction in costs for the customer. It is necessary to know the statistics on room and bathroom use. This can be used to calculate the number of unnecessary cleaning events with the current model. 

An indoor localization solution can also provide additional services to the customer. A Crownstone like this can be equipped with a button to ask for help when something is spilled or to perform other services with extremely high customer satisfaction and corresponding price levels. Statistics on these types of events need also to be available!

My questions to you: What's the best source for cleaning industry statistics right now? Do you have hard numbers available?