Preface

A century ago, the towering skyscrapers that now dominate our skylines were unimaginable. As cities grow upward rather than outward, the demand for innovative solutions to maintain these architectural marvels has become increasingly pressing.

Maintenance of high-rise buildings and employee safety

The number of high-rise buildings around the world is growing at an incredible pace. To date, there are practically no technological restrictions for the construction of glass skyscrapers anywhere in the world, and everything depends only on the expediency of having a skyscraper in one place or another. Will there be enough tourists to check into a first-class hotel? Will there be enough digs willing to set up their offices in a new location? Is there such a number of wealthy citizens to inhabit a building with the capacity of an entire city? Perhaps that is why most modern skyscrapers combine all these functions. Moreover, according to the data of the CTBUH, the higher the building, the more often it becomes multifunctional in its purpose [1]. 

With the increasing number and height of high-rise buildings with predominantly glass exterior coverings, the question of their maintenance is becoming more acute. One of the main aspects of building maintenance is its cleaning. The aesthetic appearance of the building, which stands out so much in the urban appearance, requires constant maintenance. The convenience of people staying and working indoors is quite important – access to daylight and a good overview. However, in the case of a building over two hundred meters high, mostly finished with glass, the task of maintaining cleanliness becomes at least non-trivial. Traditionally, people wash windows in skyscrapers. This low-skilled job, however, is associated with a high degree of risk to human health and life. 

In the service sector of high-rise buildings, the advantages of robotic automation over manual labor are obvious. If the issue concerns human safety, then the participation of a robot practically eliminates the possibility of an accident for an employee. Also, when servicing a skyscraper, the economic aspect is important. Thus, according to a Fraunhofer IPA study, the cost of personnel for cleaning the facades of high-rise buildings (windows) reached 70% of the cost of cleaning [6]. In addition, for companies operating high-rise buildings, employee insurance will be a significant cost item. Thus, automation of the facade cleaning sector allows you to reduce costs by more than 60%. 

Square Dog Robotics and an effective approach to skyscraper maintenance

One of the most striking examples of the successful use of robots for cleaning skyscrapers is the company SquareDog Robotics (SQD). SquareDog has developed "Sky Robots" of two models Sky Wash and Sky Inspector, which are among the most effective products of their kind. This gondola-free robot wall cleaner is widely used to test the water in new buildings before obtaining an operating permit and regularly cleaning existing high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. 

signed to ensure the safety and efficiency of cleaning high–rise buildings. Since it is not equipped with gondolas, there is no need for human participation at extreme altitudes, which significantly reduces insurance costs. The Sky Wash sink is versatile, capable of cleaning various wall surfaces and equipped with a set of high-quality cleaning products. Its efficiency is second to none, and typical work is performed in significantly less time than traditional methods. This leads to a dramatic increase in productivity and significant cost savings in general. 

Sky Inspector is another innovative solution from SQD, offering a safer and more accurate alternative for high–altitude inspections. Like Sky Wash, Sky Inspector operates without the use of gondolas, ensuring the safety of personnel. It is a comprehensive inspection solution capable of detecting various defects, including water leaks, surface damage and problems with water pipes. Sky Inspector is especially useful for new buildings that require a thorough safety check, as it can help reduce insurance costs. 

Both Sky Wash and Sky Inspector have been recognized for their innovations and contributions to safety. They have received prestigious awards, including the Hong Kong Awards 2021-22 Certificate of Honor in the field of industrial equipment and machinery for mechanical engineering and the SDG Award for Good Health and Well-being. These awards highlight the importance of SQD's robotic solutions to revolutionize the high-rise building maintenance industry.