Singapore’s public toilets are gearing up for a high-tech makeover with the deployment of an autonomous toilet-cleaning robot, Abluo, beginning trials in early 2024.
Public toilets’ cleanliness is a persistent challenge for cleaners in Singapore. But a promising solution is on the horizon—an autonomous robot designed to scrub, mop, and dry these public spaces.
Dubbed ‘Abluo’—derived from Latin for “cleanse”—this robotic cleaner is equipped with sensors providing a 3D view of its environment. It navigates the restroom, detecting stains and efficiently addressing them with tools from a utility rack, including brushes and a potent steam spray.
But before we see this Automatic Toilet Cleaning Device in every nook and cranny, rigorous testing is underway. Developed by HiveBotics, this initiative received support from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and JTC Corporation, trials have seen Abluo’s capabilities put to work in various high-traffic areas, including industrial parks, hospitals, malls, and even Changi Airport. Feedback from these real-world applications is crucial for HiveBotics – spearheaded by co-founders Tuan Dung Nguyen and Rishab Patwari – as they continuously refine Abluo’s technology, drawing insights from collaborations with cleaning service providers.
Scheduled for public testing in the second quarter of 2024, Abluo’s imminent commercial launch in July is eagerly anticipated. Its inception stemmed from the founders’ firsthand experience in the cleaning industry, understanding the challenges cleaners face due to staff shortages.
The development process wasn’t without its hurdles. To accurately replicate stubborn stains, the team experimented with a mixture of miso paste, yeast, and other substances after finding that chocolate didn’t quite mimic the real thing. Abluo, in its current form, tackles tasks involving urinals, toilet bowls, sinks, and mirrors, working in conjunction with human cleaners rather than replacing them.
However, the innovation doesn’t stop here. Plans are underway to equip Abluo with an ultraviolet sensor, enhancing its ability to detect invisible stains. This advancement is recognized not just locally but also by organizations like JTC’s LaunchPad initiative and NUS, acknowledging its potential to address labour challenges faced by developed economies like Singapore.
Indeed, while Abluo doesn’t possess the five senses like humans to judge cleanliness, it is being trained to “quantify what it sees,” as Tuan Dung Nguyen muses, ensuring a consistent metric of spotlessness we can all appreciate. Abluo represents a step forward in marrying technology with daily maintenance tasks. It’s not just about cleaning toilets; it’s about leveraging innovation to make our lives more efficient. Who knew we’d ever be eager to try out the next-gen public toilets, right?
