How Innovation Will Shape The Future Of Cleaning

By Andrew Ashur, CEO, Lucid Bots, Inc.

Andrew Ashur

The cleaning industry is at a crossroads, facing a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. Innovation, particularly through robotics, is transforming how we approach one of the world’s most essential tasks—cleaning. By examining key questions about the role of technology in this field, we can better understand the future trajectory of cleaning and the critical role that robots will play.

Three Questions To Consider

When discussing the future of cleaning, I like to ask industry leaders these three questions:

1). Do you believe we will use more or fewer robots in this industry five years from now?

2). In five years, do you think robots will be more or less efficient and effective than they are today?

3). In a competitive market like cleaning, would you rather be an early adopter or play catch-up?

The answers to these questions illuminate a future where innovation is not optional but essential for growth and sustainability.

A Labor-Intensive Industry Under Pressure

Cleaning is indispensable. It’s an everyday challenge for individuals, businesses, and governments alike. In fact, approximately 3.4% of registered businesses in the United States generate revenue through cleaning service. Despite its ubiquity, the industry faces significant hurdles—chief among them, labor shortages.

Annual turnover rates hover around a staggering 200%, making it difficult for companies to find and retain reliable workers. This high turnover increases recruitment and training costs, and it introduces risks when inexperienced workers repeatedly take on the job. With labor shortages and mounting operational expenses, many companies are questioning how they can continue to meet demand efficiently.

The Robotic Solution

Robots offer a compelling solution to many of these challenges. Unlike human workers, robots don’t call in sick, change jobs, or require continual onboarding. They are always ready to work and can perform many tasks better than humans.

Robots excel in ways that address the industry’s pain points. They apply consistent pressure and speed, ensuring a high-quality and uniform clean every time. Unlike humans, robots don’t fatigue, make errors, or deviate from established procedures. This robotic precision is particularly valuable for tasks that require repetitive actions or meticulous attention to detail.

Addressing The Challenges  Of Robotics Integration

Of course, the adoption of robotics isn’t without challenges. Some robots have steep learning curves, making proper training essential. Cleaning companies need to partner with robotic providers who offer comprehensive onboarding and ongoing support.

Additionally, like cars, robots require regular maintenance. Tires need changing, oil needs topping off, and brake pads wear out—robots are no different. Working with a provider who offers a robust maintenance and service plan is crucial. Rapid turnaround times for repairs are essential to avoid costly downtime. Domestic manufacturers often excel in this regard, providing localized support and faster service.

Another consideration is data privacy. Robots equipped with sensors collect large amounts of data during operation. Building owners and larger clients often prefer robots manufactured by trusted companies to ensure their data is secure and free from vulnerabilities.

Unlocking Greater Efficiency And Productivity

At their core, robots can help cleaning companies do more with less. They allow businesses to complete more jobs in less time while reducing liability. Furthermore, robots take on the most mundane and repetitive tasks, freeing up human workers to focus on solving more meaningful and complex problems. This dynamic makes robots not just tools for efficiency but also enablers of a better work environment and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Looking Ahead: The Role Of Early Adopters

As the cleaning industry continues to evolve, companies will need to decide whether to lead or lag behind in adopting robotics. Early adopters gain a competitive advantage, positioning themselves as innovative leaders capable of meeting demand more efficiently and effectively. Waiting to adopt robotics could mean playing catch-up in a rapidly changing market.

The future of cleaning is clear: robots will play an increasingly central role, becoming more efficient, effective, and indispensable over time. By addressing common concerns like training, maintenance, and data privacy, companies can unlock the full potential of this technology to revolutionize their operations.

Andrew Ashur (Forbes 30U30) is the Founder and CEO of Lucid Bots, recently recognized as the fastest-growing robotics manufacturer in the USA. Under Andrew’s leadership, Lucid Bots is advancing the future of robotics through agentic AI, focusing on developing robots that extend human reach by performing critical tasks and enabling smarter decision-making. Outside of Lucid Bots, Andrew and his wife share a passion for entrepreneurship and positive impact, leading them to create an organizational software platform that helps mentorship communities scale their impact and improve entrepreneurial outcomes.

Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots Inc. is an AI and robotics company that builds robots that extend human reach, tackling dirty and dangerous jobs with precision and efficiency. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the company engineers, manufactures, and supports its products domestically, including the Sherpa, a spraying drone for exterior cleaning and concrete construction applications, and the Lavo Bot, a pressure-washing robot for concrete surfaces. Lucid Bots is elevating safety, efficiency and profitability for a growing number of customers globally with innovative solutions for contractors, property managers and facilities directors in a wide variety of industries. Lucid Bots is a Y Combinator-backed company, with investments from Cubit Capital, Idea Fund Partners, Danu Ventures, and more. Lucid Bots is a member of the NVIDIA Inception Program and was named the #4 fastest growing manufacturer on the Inc. 5000 list in 2024. For more information, visit LucidBots.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.