After reading the article regarding 'How tech can
ease the cleaning industry's manpower crunch', by GERMii (2021) , I learn about
how future labour will be complemented by robots. First and foremost, since the
COVID-19 outbreak, cleanliness has been one of the highest priorities. Because
of the COVID-19 outbreak, the article stated that Harold Van Haltren, CEO of
pathogen mitigation company GERMII, will be exploring the trends that will
influence public hygiene. From the article, paragraph seventeen, "By introducing
Whiz, an AI vacuum cleaning robot that has GERMII’s technology, which
transforms ultraviolet C (UV-C) into a concentrated beam of light that is
lethal to viruses, bacteria, and pathogens able to disinfect surfaces without
relying on chemicals and sterilize the environment." As a result, having
sterile and safe business premises provides peace of mind. With its capability
of learning routes and creating reports, it saves the facilities manager time
and cleaners. Whereby in paragraph seven it stated that the cleaners will be
expected to concentrate on more crucial chores, including sterilizing
"high-touch, high-risk, or difficult-to-clean areas" as a result.
Lastly, for its features from the photo it is given from the article, it has a
2D/3D camera (sensor), and with its small build, it can move around in a
crowded area without any difficulties.
While the robot, Whiz, can keep the environment or
surrounding clean and move around without any difficulties with it’s 2D/3D
camera (sensor), I feel that there are also other types of robots out there
that are similar to it which will benefit
us too in the future purposes such as supporting manual labour making GERMii
not the only company that does this.
For example, from the article “For Robots, it’s a time to
shine (and Maybe Disinfect)’ by Lisa Prevost ( 2020 ), it says that there
is an AI robot, the Neo floor-scrubbing
robot also does create its own maps of a facility and make staff to focus on
making sure the ‘high touch’ areas are cleaned more frequently.” Not only that,
for its features that was shown in the article , it has an oddly huge design
compared to Whiz, it is still able to move around in crowded areas due to its
camera sensors that would make it stop if there are any obstacles in its way.
The next article also discusses the use of technology to
support manual labour. The article which says, “NEA exploring table-cleaning
robot at hawker centres to support manual labour” by Ang Qing (2022) , tells us
that “hawker centres may get an automated table cleaners under the National
Environment Agency’s (NEA) plan to support manual labour.” The robot's functions
are essentially the same as those of the earlier articles described above,
where it can also assist and complement cleaners to keep the environment tidy.
The difference is that it just cleans tables. A photo shown in the article
shows its compact formed body shape and attributes allow it to roam through
hawker centres without disturbing the community.
Lastly, I would like to share another article which also
says about “ How commercial
cleaning robots complement in-person shopping attitudes” by Avidbots
(2022) . In the article, paragraph
number five, due to the epidemic, people bought things online, but now that it
has receded, they are starting to purchase in stores. Additionally, merchants
are finding it difficult to meet customers' expectations for clean environments
due to a labour shortage. Thus, they introduce a fully autonomous floor
scrubbing robot name Neo where its function is to “enhance and simplify floor
care and surface disinfection and also gives the flexibility to thrive.” As for
its features shown by a video in the article, it has an oddly huge design and a
built-in sensor that allows it to move around and avoid obstacles making it at
a disadvantage comparing to the other robots that was said earlier.
From these articles, I feel that Whiz, the AI vacuum
cleaning robot from GERMII, is much better from the other three robots by
comparing with its features and functions.
In conclusion, I think technology will eventually benefit us
and reduce the workloads of these cleaners making a safe and clean environment.
As a result, reading these articles teaches us more about technology, how
robots will supplement human labour in the future, and how these robots will
make the world a cleaner and better place for everyone.
Reference:
For
Robots, It’s a Time to Shine (and Maybe Disinfect) - The New York Times
(nytimes.com)
How commercial cleaning robots complement in-person shopping attitudes | AvidbotsAvidbots
No comments:
Post a Comment