Mississippi State University and Lann Chemical of Aberdeen are partnering to demo two new AI-powered autonomous cleaning robots on the first floor of the Colvard Student Union.
The CenoBots SP50 and CenoBots L50, supplied by Lann Chemical in Aberdeen, will work in the Union until the end of this week.
The SP50 is a robotic vacuum and sweeper that removes basic debris. The L50 works behind the spot cleaner to scrub and mop the floors.
Both robots, which are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, navigate buildings using a map that automatically updates itself for new changes using artificial intelligence. When their batteries are low, the robots automatically return to a docking station where they can charge and empty any dirt they pick up.
Both robots use AI to navigate their environment, with maps that update automatically as the building changes. Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, they return to their docking stations to charge and empty themselves when needed.
Lonnie Williams, a sales representative at Lann Chemical, said the robots can be controlled via an app that can also send users updates on cleaning progress and any issues.
“It uses the latest, greatest technology to map and interface with,” Williams said.
While Union operations coordinator Alan Jabri said that they will likely run the robots more during times that the Union is closed, he also noted that if the robot does detect a person in its way, it will say, “Excuse me,” go around the person and return to that spot later in the day.
Caleb Jackson, a junior business information systems major, said he is excited to see MSU experiment with new technology.
“I love autonomous technology and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “I have a couple of Roombas and stuff like that. So I love to see the new technology.”
According to Williams, the robots are not intended to replace janitorial staff but rather help them by freeing up time to complete other tasks.
“They’re going to make the employees’ lives easier because right now they don’t have time to do everything they need to, in addition to sweeping and vacuuming and washing the floors,” Williams said.
Lann Chemical sales manager Jason Gaskin said that with the rise in popularity of similar technology, other universities and companies across the south have started to implement robotic cleaning solutions.
“There are a few in the south and this area, but with the popularity, everybody’s really now starting to look at incorporating them since they’ve become so popular,” Gaskin said.
Jabri echoed this, stating that because of staffing shortages, the Union is always looking for ways to relieve pressure on employees.
“We’re having such a problem with staffing and manpower, so anything that we can do to help our current employees, we need to try to maximize the effort that we get from that,” Jabri said.
Williams said the CenoBots SP50 would cost around $35,000, and the CenoBots L50 would cost around $40,000 if purchased.
However, Gaskin said that the robots could likely pay for themselves within two years.
“This will basically do what takes an individual four or five, six hours of cleaning to do in a day,” Gaskin said. “So if you were to hire a new employee just to do that task over a one-and-a-half, two-year period, you’ll see your return on investment.”
Jabri mentioned that MSU had been approached with previous models of the robots, but those were much bulkier and harder to use than the ones being demoed.
“We’ve never had robots before, but we know that it’s basically taken over the industry,” Jabri said.
According to Williams, another advantage of these cleaning robots is that they can always work as long as they are maintained.
“These robots, they don’t call in sick, they don’t get tired and they can do it every day while somebody’s doing something else,” Williams said.
Williams mentioned that the new robots differ from previous generations due to the engineering approach taken.
“Those were auto scrubbers that were turned into robots. These are robots that were turned into auto scrubbers and vacuums,” Williams said.
Because the university is already well into its budget year, if it decides to purchase the robots, the purchase will take place next year. Williams said that Lann Chemical’s primary goal with the demo is to work with the campus planners to incorporate them into future budgets.
“When you build a new building, these new buildings, they’re four and $5 million,” Williams said. “I mean, you’re looking at less than 1% of the total cost to add this to the budget, and then you already have most of the cleaning taken care of.”
