What excites you most about Marvin?
How much the robot supports us: we gain time for other tasks. Thanks to the integrated dosing system, we use cleaning agents and water sparingly and efficiently – conserving resources and reducing costs.
How long did you test Marvin?
We integrated him directly into daily clinic operations to get a realistic picture. A short test of three to four days would not have been meaningful. Around 70 paraplegic wheelchair users live in our clinic. For us it was crucial to see whether Marvin was perceived as support or disturbance. We are pleased that he met expectations.
What are the biggest cleaning challenges?
In winter, the entrance area: moisture and road salt from outside put a heavy strain on the floors. Rubber abrasion from wheelchairs is also stubborn. In addition, the corridors are busy with patients, staff, and visitors. Marvin navigates reliably around them – stopping or swerving depending on the situation.
How do patients react to Marvin?
Many enjoy him; some even see him almost as a toy. Some greet him with “Good morning.” Marvin lightens the atmosphere – almost like a pet.
And how did your team react?
Extremely positively! The staff were courageous in integrating this innovation into their daily work. Ms. Galinec, now our “Marvin specialist,” had no prior robotics experience. Through the robot, she gained self-confidence and discovered new interests. In this case, digitalisation has even promoted staff development. The internal perception of the housekeeping department has also benefited.
Which other Wetrok devices do you use?
We also work with a scrubber-dryer, an orbital machine, an extraction machine, a single-disc machine, a wet vacuum, and a cleaning trolley.
Why do you still need the walk-behind scrubber-dryer Mambo if you have Marvin?
The Mambo is intended for our large classrooms. At the moment, we use it in parallel with Marvin – this is more efficient. Both machines complement each other well: the Mambo is more manoeuvrable and reaches corners more easily.
From what floor area is a robot worthwhile?
Floor size is a factor, but cleaning frequency is just as important. With us, cleaning is very frequent, plus there are deep cleans during the summer holidays. Here Marvin is a great relief. It’s not just about cleanliness, but also about ergonomics. Working with a mop puts a heavy strain on the back and the whole body.
Does that mean ergonomics and health protection played a major role in your decision?
Definitely. Especially in the entrance area, the work was very strenuous. Constantly opening the sliding door exposed staff to cold drafts, and they often caught colds while sweating. Today Marvin protects us in this respect as well.
