The cleaning robotics market has experienced a remarkable 34% increase in installations over the past year, according to the International Federation of Robotics’ newly released 2025 report.
Recent advances have transformed what cleaning robots can achieve. Modern robots can sense their surroundings and adapt to unpredictable environments in a way that simply wasn’t possible just a few years ago. This adaptability is driving adoption across diverse settings. Shopping centres and university campuses use them for frequent cleaning of vast floor areas. Compact office machines support day-to-day operations; and robotic lawnmowers work alongside teams at outdoor areas of manufacturing facilities.
But technology is only half the story. The real challenge is getting people and machines to work well together.
Creating new opportunities
The rise of cobotics in FM is creating new roles and opportunities. New positions such as robot supervisors and operators are emerging. These roles ensure machines operate efficiently and human judgement and expertise are regularly provided.
The success of any robotics implementation depends on the skill and training of the cleaning teams. Cobots handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks, freeing human teams to focus on higher-value work. This isn’t about replacement. It’s about supporting people, improving workplace safety and delivering better outcomes for customers.
The benefits extend beyond operational efficiency. Modern cleaning machines can reduce environmental impact by up to 90% compared with manual methods, cutting carbon emissions, water, chemical and energy use. Meanwhile, the data these machines generate provides performance auditing capabilities, tracking metrics such as task duration and resource consumption to support continuous improvement.
Organisations are also reporting improvements in staff wellbeing, higher retention rates and stronger team performance. By removing the most physically taxing elements of cleaning work, companies are making these roles more sustainable and attractive to talented individuals.
Cobotics: collaboration at the core
What distinguishes successful robotics programmes from failed experiments? It comes down to how well organisations manage the human side of technological change.
Training is critical. Teams need to understand how to work alongside these machines effectively. When done right, cobots provide consistency in repetitive tasks while human teams bring judgement, adaptability and service quality that machines can’t replicate.
This collaborative approach addresses one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: workforce retention. By enhancing rather than threatening jobs, robotics can make FM careers more appealing to both existing staff and potential new recruits.
Where this is going
Despite the impressive growth figures, the FM industry remains in the early stages of robotics adoption. Cleaning leads the way, followed by grounds maintenance and security applications, though many companies in our industry are not yet embracing this technology.
But we’re beginning to see truly connected buildings – buildings that use sensors to calculate how much use spaces have had and then deploy robots as needed. Facilities managers will monitor and control machines through digital twins. Occupancy sensors will trigger robotic cleaners to adjust schedules when spaces aren’t in use.
This integration between robotics and building digitalisation will transform how we manage facilities. But success requires a holistic approach that considers people, processes and technology together. The organisations that thrive will be those that invest as much in their teams as they do in their machines.
Looking ahead
As the robotics market continues its rapid expansion, the FM sector faces a choice about how to integrate these tools. Organisations that take a collaborative approach, investing in training and focusing on workforce development alongside technological adoption, are seeing the strongest results.
The 34% growth in cleaning robotics has not resulted in reduced job opportunities in the sector. Rather than automation replacing human workers, the future appears to be one where people and machines work together, each contributing their unique strengths to deliver better outcomes.
For an industry facing ongoing workforce challenges, this human-centred approach to robotics adoption may prove to be the most significant innovation of all.
Peter Smyth, director of innovation & technology