Kärcher, a global leader in cleaning technology, has partnered with Deutsche Telekom to connect its autonomous robot scrubber driers to the Internet of Things (IoT). This partnership will enable Kärcher to market its smart cleaning machines globally and will also provide Kärcher with valuable data insights that can be used to improve its products and services. Karcher cleaning robots iot

The IoT is a network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data. The IoT has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including the cleaning industry. By connecting its robot scrubber dryers to the IoT, Kärcher can collect data on how the machines are being used and use this data to improve their performance. For example, Kärcher can use the data to identify areas where the machines are not cleaning as effectively as they could and to make adjustments to the machines’ settings.

Autonomous cleaning machine with sensor technology and networking

Cleaning specialist Kärcher’s new Kira B 50 scrubber drier can be used in production and storage facilities, supermarkets and shopping centers, or hospitals. The cleaning robot navigates autonomously by means of a number of optical and acoustic sensors. Kärcher uses an IoT tariff in Deutsche Telekom’s LTE network to transmit the machine’s cleaning reports and operating data securely to the cloud for digital fleet management. A robust industry-grade Deutsche Telekom SIM is built into a wireless module during the robot’s production. The wireless solution can be retrofitted into other Kärcher cleaning machines.

Worldwide fleet management from the cloud Karcher cleaning robots iot

Thanks to the devices’ IoT connectivity Kärcher customers—building service providers or facility managers—have a constant overview of their machine fleets, their deployment locations and times, the fill levels of water and their battery status. In the event of malfunctions, users can be notified by email or text message. Software updates that might be needed for troubleshooting can be downloaded onto the device over the air. “The feedback from our customers was clear and unequivocal: what they wanted was remote access to their machines and to view the status of the machines,” says Alina Seitter, Product Manager Robotics at Kärcher. “They also wanted to receive error reports immediately by smartphone and to download digital cleaning reports. Deutsche Telekom’s IoT connectivity enables us to do all of that.”

Thanks to Deutsche Telekom’s international cellular networks and global roaming agreements, Kärcher can market its new autonomous cleaning machine in all 80 countries around the world where Kärcher’s more than 150 subsidiaries are located. Kärcher does not have to look for local network providers. “Our key account customers often demand extensive device tests in different countries,” Product Manager Seitter says. “Thanks to Deutsche Telekom’s global network coverage, we can fulfill this requirement at any time.” Deutsche Telekom’s flexible tariff model can be adjusted to meet the specific requirements of different Kärcher device families.

Kärcher is responding to a new business model trend: more and more manufacturing companies are equipping their products with digital services to improve the customer experience and optimize product development with the help of usage data. Deutsche Telekom’s IoT network provides the basis for this.

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