Is Your Business "Robot Ready"?

Investing in autonomous robots—whether for service, cleaning, or telepresence—is a significant step toward modernizing your operations. However, buying the hardware is only half the battle. The most critical step to ensuring efficiency, safety, and ROI is preparing the environment.

A robot is only as good as the space it operates in. Based on the specifications of market-leading models like the Dinerbot, Temi, and UCleanScrub, here is your guide to assessing if your premises are truly "Robot Ready."

⛔ The Deal Breakers: What to Avoid

Before deploying a robot, you must identify the "blocking points." These are physical constraints that can paralyze a robot or cause safety hazards.

1. Stairs and Steps

This is the golden rule: No autonomous robot currently manages stairs. If your operation spans multiple floors, you will need a robot for each floor or access to an elevator that the robot can communicate with.

2. Floor Obstacles and Thresholds

Robots act like low-clearance vehicles.

• Loose Cables: Unguarded cables are a tripping hazard for robots.
• Thick Carpets: Shaggy or thick rugs can trap wheels.
• Thresholds: Most robots struggle with door thresholds higher than 1.2 cm (12mm).Example: The Temi Fourcast has a max obstacle height of just 8mm.
• Example: The Temi Fourcast has a max obstacle height of just 8mm.

3. Steep Slopes and Gaps

While ramps are great, they cannot be too steep.

• Slopes: Generally, slopes should not exceed 5° to 8°.
• Gaps: Avoid wide gaps (like elevator thresholds) larger than 4 cm, as Lidar sensors can misinterpret these as cliffs or wheels can get stuck.

✅ The Facilitators: What to Plan For

To turn your space into an ideal robotic environment, focus on these "facilitating points."

1. Wide Passages (The "Comfort Zone")

Robots need space to navigate around people and furniture. While some can squeeze through tight spots, "comfortable" width prevents bottlenecks.

Minimum Passage Widths by Model:

• Compact (58.5 cm): Dinerbot T10
• Mid-Range (70 cm): Butlerbot W3
• Large (90 cm): UCleanScrub 75 / Keenon S100

Recommendation: Aim for main corridors of at least 90cm to accommodate all machinery types.

2. Adapted & Clear Flooring

The ideal floor is flat, hard, and uncluttered.

• Use flat cable covers instead of loose wires.
• Keep aisles free of temporary storage (cartons, delivery carts).
• Remove thick rugs in robot patrol zones.

3. Consistent Lighting

Many modern robots use VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) or stereo cameras. These "eyes" need light to see. Avoid pitch-black corridors at night if the robot is scheduled to clean or patrol after hours.

⚡ The Invisible Infrastructure: Wi-Fi & Power

Reliable Connectivity

A robot in a dead zone is a lost robot.

• Ensure stable Wi-Fi coverage throughout the entire working area for configuration, supervision, and elevator integration.

The Charging Station

Don't treat the charging dock as an afterthought. It needs a dedicated "home base."

• Space: A dedicated area where the robot won't be kicked or tripped over.
• Power: Accessible outlets.
• Water: For cleaning robots (like the UCleanScrub), proximity to a water source and drain is often required.

Summary: The Ideal Environment

If you are auditing your facility today, look for these four pillars of a "Robot Ready" space:

1. Flat: No steep ramps (>8°) or high thresholds (>1.2cm).
2. Spacious: Corridors ideally 90cm+ wide.
3. Clear: Free of cables, boxes, and debris.
4. Connected: Strong Wi-Fi and dedicated charging spots.

By addressing these physical factors beforehand, you ensure that your new autonomous team members can hit the ground running—literally.