• Home
  • Renovation Total article

    Tags :

  • All

Robot cleans facades in a safe and sustainable way

Renovation Total has written an article about Kite Robotics. This article can be viewed here. The text below is taken directly from the article.

Traditional facade maintenance systems, such as suspended platforms, are often used to maintain and inspect high-rise facades. These systems move from the roof down along the facade, where glass and exterior surfaces are cleaned and inspected manually and in a labor-intensive way. However, at KITE Robotics we found that this can be done much more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

The KITE facade maintenance robot is the result of that idea. This innovative robot enables automatic facade cleaning without manual intervention. Although it is currently used for cleaning, the technology can easily be adapted for additional applications, such as painting large facade surfaces. “If there is demand for it, we are ready to take on that development,” says Stefan Spanjer, director of KITE Robotics.

Traditional facade maintenance systems with a suspended platform are typically mounted on the roof, but the configuration can vary significantly. In some cases, the platform is placed on rails so it can move horizontally along the facade. This allows access to the entire perimeter of the building and enables the glass to be cleaned in continuous vertical sections.

Another configuration is a fixed roof unit with a slewing ring and telescopic arm, similar to a crane. This system allows the entire facade to be reached via a gondola, even in complex building designs.

In both cases, the facade maintenance system remains visible from the ground, which is often considered undesirable by clients and architects. It affects the aesthetic appearance of the building and adds extra costs to visually conceal the installation. In many cases, attempts are made to hide the system by increasing the facade height, but this can create issues with permits where maximum building heights are regulated.

Automatic Facade Cleaning: Like a Spider Across the Building

To address traditional challenges in facade maintenance, KITE Robotics has developed the innovative and compact KITE Robot. With the push of a button, this robot moves across the facade like a spider, cleaning both glass and exterior surfaces. Using four cables connected to the four corners of the facade, the robot moves both vertically and horizontally and cleans the entire facade in one go. After cleaning, the robot automatically returns to its starting position, where the system can be easily disconnected. When not in use, the robot and cables are completely out of sight.

The KITE Robot uses a rotating brush combined with reverse osmosis water, without chemicals or cleaning agents. This environmentally friendly method effectively removes dirt, dust, and stains. Thanks to the four cables providing stability from different angles, the robot is less affected by wind compared to conventional methods. This makes the cleaning process more stable and efficient, even at great heights.

In addition to cleaning, this advanced technology also enables automated building inspections. With the KITE Robot, you get a revolutionary solution for safe, sustainable, and cost-saving facade maintenance.

kite

KITE Robot: Innovation in Painting and Facade Maintenance

Would the KITE Robot also be suitable for painting high-rise facades? “Yes, that is possible,” says Stefan Spanjer, director of KITE Robotics. “We could replace the brush with a spray system. Initially, I am thinking of large facade surfaces that need to be painted. Sanding and painting wooden window frames requires more precision, but that is also feasible. Our robot is currently focused on cleaning and inspection, but if there is demand for such adaptations, we are open to developing them,” Spanjer explains.

The KITE Robot has been on the market for only one and a half years and is already widely deployed. One example is the cleaning of the canopy of the station hall at Utrecht Central Station leading to the new tram line. The limited accessibility of the canopy and the cost savings in the operational phase were decisive factors for the municipality of Utrecht to choose the KITE Robot.

BREEAM Certification and Sustainability

Sustainability is an important reason why users choose the KITE Robot. One example is the new RIVM building, where both the facade and the glass roof are autonomously cleaned by the KITE Robot. Thanks to the low footprint of this cleaning robot, the building meets strict BREEAM standards. This certification sets requirements in areas such as management, health, comfort, energy, transport, water, materials, waste, land use, ecology, and pollution.

  • Share on :

Choosing sustainability? Contact us now.

    captcha