Innovative cleaning robot fills vacancy and contributes to sustainability
Beweging 3.0, a healthcare organization in the Dutch Eemland region, has successfully filled a staffing gap while strengthening its sustainability objectives through the implementation of a cleaning robot. The advanced Lionsbot R3, introduced to the Dutch market by BOMA, will now support their team.
The first introduction between Beweging 3.0 and BOMA took place at the Interclean trade fair in Amsterdam in 2022, where Lionsbot presented its innovative cleaning robot. "After a positive first meeting with BOMA and follow-up discussions, we visited a healthcare organization in North Holland," says Thijs Sluiter, Head of Cleaning and Facility & Maintenance at Beweging 3.0. "There, the R3 was already being successfully used to clean corridors and other areas. A successful pilot at our Lichtenberg location confirmed the robot's effectiveness. In May 2023, we purchased our first R3 cleaning robot."
The decision to invest in a cleaning robot was mainly driven by the difficulty of filling vacancies in today's tight labour market. "By deploying a cleaning robot, our cleaning team can work more efficiently, freeing up time for cleaning tasks in the residential care units. This has allowed us to fill a vacancy in a smart way while also improving our sustainability performance. The R3 uses significantly less water than traditional machines."
Ease of use and collaboration with the cleaning team
The cleaning team at Beweging 3.0 experienced the implementation of the R3 as challenging, but certainly user-friendly, thanks to clear explanations and training provided by BOMA's robotics specialists. Despite initial concerns among staff about possible replacement by the robot, Beweging 3.0 managed to address these concerns effectively. Open communication and active involvement in the implementation process proved key to success.
Karin, team leader of the cleaning staff at the Lisudinahof location, played a leading role during the implementation. She emphasizes the importance of supporting employees: "The explanations from BOMA's robotics specialists are clear, and they really take the time. Compliments to these gentlemen. They are very knowledgeable and know exactly what they are doing."
She also praises the speed of BOMA's service. This commitment was further demonstrated when a malfunction occurred and a technician was on-site within 24 hours. "We called on Wednesday about an issue, and by Thursday morning a BOMA technician was already there to fix it. Unfortunately, a required part was not immediately available, but it was quickly arranged so we could resume operations."
Results
Beweging 3.0 acknowledges that the R3 robot is slightly less powerful than larger scrubber-dryers with pads. However, they emphasize that the robot delivers significant added value in terms of productivity and environmental impact.
Thanks to the implementation of the R3, Beweging 3.0 has achieved substantial cost savings, with an expected payback period of approximately 1.5 years. In addition to improving financial performance, this also allows employees to focus on other cleaning tasks, reducing the impact of labour shortages.
Future outlook
According to Beweging 3.0, the R3 still faces some challenges, such as the lack of a human touch and further optimisation of performance. Nevertheless, the team is committed to embracing developments in robotics. The organization emphasizes that these cleaning robots are not a replacement, but a valuable addition to the cleaning team, supporting sustainable deployment of staff while maintaining quality.
"With the integration of the R3 robot, Beweging 3.0 continues to invest in innovation and sustainability within the healthcare sector, driven by the belief that technological progress is essential for future-proof services," concludes Thijs Sluiter.