Concept of a low-cost, window-cleaning robot

The paper introduces a functional model of a handy and low-cost robot for window cleaning. The costumer requirements for such a product have been investigated. This investigation shows that from the state of the art there is no system that meets these requirements. However the principle of the sliding suction cup could be defined as the most promising system for a small and low-cost product. This principle will be introduced. On this basis research is focused on the miniaturization of the actuators and on decreasing the complexity of the entire system. The result is the concept of a window cleaning robot with an improved seal unit, a new propulsion system, a weight of less than 1 kg and a size of smaller than a DIN A5 sheet.