RoboKent ‐ a case study in man‐machine interfaces

Abstract

The idea of robotic floor cleaning landed on the housekeeping industry like an alien from outer space in the early part of the decade. An industry that had seen little progress in the past 100 years suddenly was faced with a method of scrubbing and sweeping floors without a human being trailing a machine. It was frightening for employees unfamiliar with computers and afraid of losing their jobs and it was no small outlay for the housekeeping budget. It has taken less than five years for an industry, managers and staff alike, to realize the benefits and lead the way into the future with service robots.