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The Rise of Robotics in Exterior Cleaning - Industry Innovation
- DAB Marketing
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Welcome to Industry Innovation, the content series from Dab Marketing built for innovation in the exterior cleaning industry!
In this series, we explore what’s next — not just what’s trending.
From revolutionary equipment and AI to automation and robotics, we’ll break down what matters, what’s coming, and what’s worth paying attention to if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
Robotics in Exterior Cleaning
Let’s talk drones. Let’s talk Lucid. Let’s talk the future.
🚁 What Is Lucid Bots?
Lucid Bots is a Charlotte-based robotics company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with cleaning tech. Robots Designed for Contractors and these guys are everywhere! They are full of education and are really bringing a lot of value to the industry with products we never thought we would see in exterior cleaning.
Drones
Their flagship drone is an autonomous cleaning drone designed for commercial property services, window cleaning, and building maintenance. Purpose built to make the toughest exterior cleaning and spraying jobs a breeze. The Sherpa Drone takes efficiency, safety, speed and profitability to the next level. We've seen this thing first hand in action at tradeshows, events, and even in the field at water towers, and high rise condo buildings.
But this isn’t just a flashy gadget. It’s a workhorse that’s changing how smart contractors bid, plan, and clean jobs at scale. Some of the toughest to access spaces are now being cleaned with ease from the safety of the ground.
🔍 The Stats That Matter
Reach: Up to 150 ft vertical cleaning range.
Speed: Cleans buildings up to 4x faster than traditional lift-and-labor methods.
Safety: Keeps technicians on the ground — reducing fall risk and lowering liability.
Efficiency: Saves companies 30–70% on labor costs depending on the job.
Control: Operated remotely with a live video feed + automated altitude settings.
Wash Modes: Can be used for soft washing, pressure washing, and chemical application.
💡 Where It Wins
While this type of tech isn’t the go-to for every job (yet), here’s where robotic exterior cleaning shines:
✅ High-Rise Buildings
Traditional lifts can’t always access every part of the structure — especially glass domes, curved architecture, or rooftop solar panels. Lucid’s drones bypass all that.
✅ Danger Zones
Roofs, industrial sites, refineries, or electrical substations — anywhere safety is a concern, drones win.
✅ Government & Institutional Contracts
Many large organizations are actively seeking robotic solutions to reduce liability, emissions, and risk. It also shows a very public forward approach to traditional cleaning.
BOTS?
Surface-Cleaning Reinvented
Meet the Lavo Bot, Lucid’s ground-based complement to their aerial robotics—designed for large-scale surface cleaning, like driveways, patios, and flat rooftops.
Core Stats & Specs:
Speed: Cleans up to 30% faster than manual methods.
Pump Compatibility: Supports 4–12 GPM and up to 4,500 PSI, seamlessly linking to your existing pressure washer.
Coverage: Tackles up to 2,500 ft² in under 20 minutes, translating to around 7,500 ft²/hour.
Hose Handling: Pulls over 100 ft of hose, saving crews from cumbersome drag.
Battery Life: Operates up to 6 hours per charge (with 7.5 Ah battery); lighter battery option runs ~3 hours.
Weight: Around 71 lb (without battery)—portable and easy to handle
Why It Matters:
Consistent Results, Reduced Strain: Applies even coverage every time—no human fatigue, no missed spots.
Boosts Labor Efficiency: Cuts down manual labor, freeing your team to focus on more valuable tasks.
Plug-and-Play Simplicity: Under 10 minutes to set up—towering jobsite efficiency.
What Does It Specialize In Cleaning?
Large Flat Areas: Parking lots, walkways, industrial yards—Lavo Bot shines on expansive surfaces.
Labor-Limited Projects: Wherever staffing is tight, automation fills the gap effectively.
Repeat Jobs: Easily map & store work zones; just press "Go" next time.
🔮 What’s Next for Robotics in Exterior Cleaning?
Equipment like this is just the beginning!
These both have very specific use cases and can make sense for many unique applications across the nation that need specialty access. Imagine an entire fleet of drones, or robots cleaning a large building or garage.
Let’s not sugarcoat it — we’re still in the early innings of automation adoption in this industry. But here’s where things are heading:
Data-Driven Cleaning: Drones that scan and assess surfaces before cleaning begins.
Autonomous Fleet Deployment: Multiple drones dispatched and managed by a single operator.
Predictive Maintenance: AI-powered systems that tell you when a building needs to be cleaned.
Cross-Industry Use: Drones used not just for cleaning, but for painting, spraying, and inspecting.
Companies like Lucid aren’t just disrupting the tools of the trade — they’re changing how entire contracts are structured. If you’re in commercial cleaning, window washing, or building maintenance, understanding where robotics fits in isn’t optional. It’s the cost of staying competitive.
🧠 Industry Forward
Robotic cleaning systems aren’t coming someday. They aren't something we will see in years down the road on fleets... They’re already here — and the smart operators are leaning in, not pushing back.
Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or ready to pull the trigger, one thing’s clear: Innovation always starts with awareness. The future belongs to those paying attention.
Want more insights like this?
Stay tuned to Dab Marketing’s Industry Innovation series — where we break down the future of the trade, one breakthrough at a time.
