Human-robot Collaboration 2.0
Precision partnerships for future-ready FM
BY FELIX ZHANG
Property management is undergoing a groundbreaking transformation, focusing on integrating technology, sustainability initiatives and workplace wellness and safety. Robotics advances redefine how facility management businesses approach their operations, efficiency and ingenuity regarding these goals.
Automation is expediting business processes, creating faster pathways to innovation and changing how people work. Instead of a nice to have, it is now a rather critical component of modern business.
At the heart of this change is human-robot collaboration (HRC) 2.0, an evolved approach emphasizing teamwork among specialized, semi-humanoid, humanoid robots, and employees. This cooperation unites the precision and endurance of robotics with the critical thinking and adaptability of human workers, forming a dynamic partnership. Together, these elements promise to reshape property management workflows, streamline processes and set new benchmarks for organizational excellence.
Robotics in practice: From niche to multipurpose
Robotics has matured into three distinct categories: specialized robots, semi-humanoid robots and humanoid robots, each serving unique roles while collectively advancing FM into the future.
Specialized Robots
Built for precision, specialized robots thrive in repetitive, task-focused roles like floor cleaning or item delivery. While their performance is unmatched, they lack the flexibility to adapt to new environments or varied functions, making them ideal for consistent, well-defined procedures.
Semi-humanoid Robots
Semi-humanoid robots combine human-like torsos, arms and hands with wheeled mobility, striking a balance between cost and functionality. Equipped with customizable tools like grippers, they tackle diverse jobs across industries like retail, health care and hospitality. Although adept at navigating large indoor or outdoor spaces, their wheeled design limits their capability on uneven or challenging terrain.
Humanoid Robots
Humanoid robots replicate not only the human upper body but also bipedal movement, enabling them to traverse stairs, uneven surfaces and intricate environments. Their advanced interaction capabilities and skillful task execution suit demanding roles, but their elevated cost restricts their use of signature applications.
HRC 2.0 integrates these robotic systems with human teams, combining their strengths to form a unified workforce. Specialized robots provide consistency, semi-humanoids deliver adaptability, humanoid robots tackle complex challenges, and workers contribute judgment and empathy.
Uniting robots & humans: The collaborative advantage
Rather than replacing human workers, HRC 2.0 fosters partnerships in which robots manage tedious, labor-intensive duties, freeing humans to focus on critical thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal roles. Automation supplementing workers in the right roles increases productivity, raises results and allows employees to engage in more meaningful work.
Balancing technology with human touch
While automation is pivotal, the irreplaceable human element remains crucial. Japan's Henn-na Hotel demonstrated this when over-reliance on robots led to customer dissatisfaction. When the hotel attempted to switch over to an all-robot concierge, patrons got frustrated when no employees were available to address more nuanced or complex requests.
The lesson: robots and humans must work in harmony, with robots handling routine jobs and humans engaging in roles requiring emotional intelligence.
It is crucial for management to also train their teams in best practices for automation in their workplace and communicate that any robot is not meant to replace a worker but to supplement their existing staff. This balance ensures both operational success and user satisfaction.
Breaking down the benefits of HRC 2.0 across industries
Health care: Balancing precision with care
Maintaining strict hygiene standards in hospitals and elderly care facilities is made easier with specialized robots conducting UV sterilization, air purification and other cleaning functions. Meanwhile, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots handle logistical duties like transporting meals and medications, excelling in complex roles such as providing companionship to patients or assisting in surgeries by delivering precise medical tools or monitoring vital signs to ensure timely care.
Hospitality: Redefining guest services
Hotels and restaurants embrace semi-humanoid and humanoid robots to modernize methods without sacrificing quality. From issuing key cards and guiding guests to summoning elevators and answering standard questions, these robots boost efficiency while maintaining a personal touch. Specialized robots can handle cleaning roles like vacuuming and scrubbing floors, as well as taking food to tables or providing room service, elevating the overall guest experience.
Logistics & fulfillment: Where accuracy drives performance
Productivity in logistics centers reaches new heights with robotic assistance. Specialized robots help manage inventory tracking, goods transportation and maintenance with remarkable precision. Semi-humanoid and humanoid robots contribute by handling detailed functions such as picking and placing, organizing storage and processing returns. They are also invaluable for packing high-value or fragile goods and minimizing errors, ensuring seamless and effective shipping.
Retail: Creating a seamless shopping journey
Robots in retail environments transform client interactions and practices alike. Semi-humanoid and humanoid robots welcome shoppers, provide product recommendations and assist with navigation through store layouts. Meanwhile, specialized robots tackle replenishment, inventory scanning, cruising around advertising and showcasing promotional products and autonomously scrub floors to keep spaces pristine.
Office buildings: Smarter, proficient maintenance
Simplified, regulated cleaning in office buildings has become a reality, with specialized robots sanitizing floors, windows and surfaces during off-hours. Equipped with advanced sensors or dexterous appendages, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots assist janitorial employees by managing repetitive or hazardous duties. Whether it is collecting waste or restocking supplies, they help improve safety and organizational capabilities.
Event spaces: A blend of hospitality & logistics
From managing ticket scanning and check-ins to providing seating guidance and answering attendee queries, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots bring unparalleled efficiency to event venues. Specialized robots handle food, drink or equipment delivery logistics, minimizing delays and keeping events running smoothly.
By incorporating humanoid and semi-humanoid robots into HRC 2.0, property management companies can reconfigure their practices to achieve customer-first outcomes with a modern touch. These advanced systems take on routine duties, allowing employees to dedicate their time to intricate roles requiring attention to detail or white-glove client interactions.
This shift can lead to considerable revenue savings, as the performance and precision of robots can reduce the need for human labor in redundant tasks.
How HRC 2.0 advances property management goals
Revolutionizing maintenance: Proactive, preventive oversight
Robots, particularly semi-humanoid and humanoid models, transform FM by streamlining maintenance and inspection processes. Equipped with advanced sensors, these robots conduct routine checks on critical systems like HVAC, plumbing and electrical infrastructures. Automation helps make it possible for building services companies to accomplish proactive, not reactive, maintenance.
Preventing expensive breakdowns with robotic scans helps property management companies not only save money but also reduce potential equipment downtime. Additionally, these automatic checks free human technicians to focus on complex repairs or system upgrades and promote a better brand reputation.
Eighty percent of facility management professionals believe technology is transforming the industry according to an IFMA survey, and robotics is at the heart of this change.
Optimizing space & reassessing layouts
Semi-humanoid and humanoid robots play a pivotal role in maximizing space utilization by collecting data on facility usage.
They assist in reconfiguring layouts, physically moving furniture and adapting spaces to dynamic operational needs. Their human-like mobility and precision minimize disruption during these changes, providing property and facility managers with seamless solutions for redesigning their spaces. Additionally, robots provide insights through real-time data analysis, empowering informed decisions about space allocation and fine-tuning foot-traffic control.
Improving health, safety & security standards
Robots with AI, sensors and automation capabilities significantly reinforce facilities' health, safety and security. Specialized robots consistently clean and disinfect surfaces, ensuring compliance with hygiene standards, while humanoid robots can monitor for potential safety hazards and operate in places where fumes or toxins may endanger workers. For security, semi-humanoid robots can patrol premises to provide real-time surveillance and detect unauthorized access, augmenting human security teams.
Expanding sustainability objectives
Modern property management prioritizes sustainability, and robots are instrumental in achieving these objectives. By optimizing cleaning paths, minimizing resource use and utilizing biodegradable materials, robots contribute to reducing energy consumption and waste. Their precision and alignment with environmental standards allow businesses to meet both cost-saving and eco-friendly targets.
Cleaning robots have demonstrated that they use .6 liters or water per hour, compared to less water floor scrubbers that can use 48 liters of water per hour.
By reducing waste and conserving resources, robots demonstrate how building services companies can more easily accomplish eco-friendly objectives.
Empowering employees & building interactive workspaces
HRC enhances workplace dynamics by redistributing labor. Robots manage routine functions like delivering supplies, cleaning and organizing so human workers can focus on strategic, creative and high-value activities.
Employees feel more satisfied at the workplace when they can own responsibilities that require more critical thinking and creativity to solve.
Cooperative task allocation ensures that both employees and clients thrive in a balanced, productive environment.
Preparing for the future with robotics in FM
The future of robotics in property management lies in AI-driven automation that can facilitate increasingly nuanced roles.
FMs must stay ahead of the curve to integrate robotics into technical and customer-facing roles. When successful, facilities will reach new heights in efficiency, adaptability and client satisfaction, fostering a more synchronized and sustainable future.
How HRC 2.0 advances property management goals
Revolutionizing maintenance: Proactive, preventive oversight
Robots, particularly semi-humanoid and humanoid models, transform FM by streamlining maintenance and inspection processes. Equipped with advanced sensors, these robots conduct routine checks on critical systems like HVAC, plumbing and electrical infrastructures. Automation helps make it possible for building services companies to accomplish proactive, not reactive, maintenance.
Preventing expensive breakdowns with robotic scans helps property management companies not only save money but also reduce potential equipment downtime. Additionally, these automatic checks free human technicians to focus on complex repairs or system upgrades and promote a better brand reputation.
Eighty percent of facility management professionals believe technology is transforming the industry according to an IFMA survey, and robotics is at the heart of this change.
Optimizing space & reassessing layouts
Semi-humanoid and humanoid robots play a pivotal role in maximizing space utilization by collecting data on facility usage.
They assist in reconfiguring layouts, physically moving furniture and adapting spaces to dynamic operational needs. Their human-like mobility and precision minimize disruption during these changes, providing property and facility managers with seamless solutions for redesigning their spaces. Additionally, robots provide insights through real-time data analysis, empowering informed decisions about space allocation and fine-tuning foot-traffic control.
Improving health, safety & security standards
Robots with AI, sensors and automation capabilities significantly reinforce facilities' health, safety and security. Specialized robots consistently clean and disinfect surfaces, ensuring compliance with hygiene standards, while humanoid robots can monitor for potential safety hazards and operate in places where fumes or toxins may endanger workers. For security, semi-humanoid robots can patrol premises to provide real-time surveillance and detect unauthorized access, augmenting human security teams.
Expanding sustainability objectives
Modern property management prioritizes sustainability, and robots are instrumental in achieving these objectives. By optimizing cleaning paths, minimizing resource use and utilizing biodegradable materials, robots contribute to reducing energy consumption and waste. Their precision and alignment with environmental standards allow businesses to meet both cost-saving and eco-friendly targets.
Cleaning robots have demonstrated that they use .6 liters or water per hour, compared to less water floor scrubbers that can use 48 liters of water per hour.
By reducing waste and conserving resources, robots demonstrate how building services companies can more easily accomplish eco-friendly objectives.
Empowering employees & building interactive workspaces
HRC enhances workplace dynamics by redistributing labor. Robots manage routine functions like delivering supplies, cleaning and organizing so human workers can focus on strategic, creative and high-value activities.
Employees feel more satisfied at the workplace when they can own responsibilities that require more critical thinking and creativity to solve.
Cooperative task allocation ensures that both employees and clients thrive in a balanced, productive environment.
Preparing for the future with robotics in FM
The future of robotics in property management lies in AI-driven automation that can facilitate increasingly nuanced roles.
FMs must stay ahead of the curve to integrate robotics into technical and customer-facing roles. When successful, facilities will reach new heights in efficiency, adaptability and client satisfaction, fostering a more synchronized and sustainable future.
Conclusion
Property management is on the cusp of a revolution in which collaboration between robots and humans will define success. HRC 2.0 is not just about deploying machines — it is about building partnerships that maximize efficiency, reduce costs and enrich employee and client satisfaction. By uniting specialized robots, semi-humanoid robots, humanoid robots and human staff, this framework ensures a future-ready approach to facility management.
With each partner, humans and robots, playing to their strengths, the possibilities are endless. Property management is no longer confined to the boundaries of what humans or machines can achieve individually. Together, they are building a new standard for operational excellence.
Felix Zhang is the founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics. Zhang holds more than 300 technical patents in robotics and has a background in AI, computer vision, and robotics research from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Felix Zhang is the founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics. Zhang holds more than 300 technical patents in robotics and has a background in AI, computer vision, and robotics research from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
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