RTA begins trialing robot cleaners for metro station use
Robots will be rolled out to other stations if the trials are successful
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is trialing robots to clean Dubai’s metro stations. The move is part of the RTA’s efforts to support the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy and realise RTA’s first strategic goal (Smart Dubai).
“The use of robots in cleaning Dubai Metro stations is an experimental step considered the first of its kind worldwide in using such technology to clean metro stations. Once the success of the trial is verified, the technology will be deployed in other stations,” said Mohammed Hasan Al Amiri, director of Rail Maintenance, Roads and Transport Authority.
The robot is said to be designed to international standards and is said to be effective and efficient at reducing the amount of water used in the process, while also providing better sterilising.
Amiri added, “It can also be pre-set to perform automated cleaning patterns of floors, without human intervention except for limited and simple steps such as adding water and programming. The programming can be reset to enable the robot to clean floorings of complex designs.”
“The robot has several sensors and a sonar receiver capable of shifting between spaces, detecting barriers and accordingly avoid a collision. These laser-powered sensors along with the sonar cover a 360-degree circle. It has a 90-litre water tank and measures 135x90x128 cm in size, rendering it fit for use in public areas without causing inconvenience to station visitors. The RTA always seeks to harness the latest technology for serving the public and public facilities,” he concluded.
