Beyond the Hardware: Is Your Facility a "Robot Trap"?

When businesses invest in automation—whether it’s a sleek Dinerbot for service or a heavy-duty UCleanScrub for maintenance—the focus is usually on the machine's features.

However, the most common reason for deployment failure isn't the robot; it’s the building.

Ground robots are incredible feats of engineering, but they are sensitive to their environment. Before you unbox your new autonomous fleet, you need to audit your space for the specific "blockers" that will stop a robot dead in its tracks.

Here is your technical site assessment guide.

⛔ The "Showstoppers" (Absolute Blocking Points)

If your facility features any of these elements in the robot's intended path, operations will fail. You must either modify the space or change the robot’s route.

1. The Vertical Challenge (Stairs & Steps)

Let’s be clear: No current ground robot can handle stairs. Even a single step is an impassable wall. If your workflow requires moving between floors, you must have a connected elevator that the robot can communicate with autonomously.

2. The "Invisible" Walls (Glass & Mirrors)

This is often overlooked. Large floor-to-ceiling mirrors or unmarked bay windows are kryptonite for navigation sensors.

• Why? LiDAR and 3D cameras struggle to detect transparent or highly reflective surfaces, often treating them as open space or getting confused by reflections.

3. The Floor is Lava (Sills, Gaps & Cables)

Robots require an incredibly smooth runway.

• Thresholds: Tolerance is razor-thin. The Temi Fourcast is limited to 8mm, and the Temi Platform to 1.2cm. Anything higher is a wall.
• Gaps: Be wary of elevator gaps or expansion joints. A gap wider than 4cm (as per Temi Platform specs) can trap a wheel or trigger "cliff sensors," causing the robot to emergency stop.
• Cables: Loose cables are major tripping hazards. They must be covered or removed.

4. Gravity Issues (Slopes)

Accessible ramps are usually fine, but steep inclines are dangerous.

• Most robots cap out at a 5° to 8° incline.
• Specific limit: The Sparkoz TN70 cannot handle more than a 6% grade (approx 3.4°). Always measure your ramps before purchasing.

✅ The "Green Light" Factors (Essential Requirements)

Once you have removed the blockers, you need to actively provide the infrastructure that allows the robot to thrive.

1. The "One Meter" Rule for Width

Different robots have different waists, but designing for the smallest unit is a mistake.

• Slim Service Robots: The Dinerbot T10 needs only 58.5 cm.
• Mid-Sized: The Butlerbot W3 needs 70 cm.
• Industrial/Cleaning: The UCleanScrub 75 and Keenon S100 need 90 cm.

The Recommendation: Future-proof your facility. Aim for a standard passage width of 90 cm to 1 meter. This allows comfortable movement for larger industrial units and prevents traffic jams.

2. Controlled Lighting

If your robot uses VSLAM (Vision Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)—like the PuduBot 2—it navigates using "eyes."

• The Requirement: Constant, sufficient lighting. If you run cleaning shifts at night with the lights off, VSLAM robots will get lost.
• Note: LiDAR-based robots are generally less sensitive to darkness.

3. Order and Tidiness

Robots are programmed to avoid obstacles, but they cannot navigate chaos.

• Cable Ducts: Use flat cable covers for any wire crossing the floor.
• De-clutter: A delivery cart or stack of boxes left permanently in a hallway isn't just an obstacle; it changes the map. Keep corridors clear.

4. Connectivity & Power

Finally, the invisible lifeline.

• Wi-Fi: It’s not optional. From updates to remote supervision, a stable connection across the entire operational zone is mandatory.
• The Dock: Plan a dedicated "home base" with a power outlet. If you are using a wet-cleaning robot, ensure this base is near a water supply and floor drain for refilling and dumping.

The Bottom Line

A "Robot Ready" environment is flat, dull, and tidy. It has no loose cables, no steep ramps, and wide, well-lit corridors. By auditing your facility against these specs today, you ensure your ROI tomorrow.