Robomatic Marvin Makes His Rounds at Herlev Hospital in Denmark

Cleaning Robot Eases the Workload for Hospital Cleaning Staff.

Before the first operations begin, the cleaning team at Herlev Hospital is already hard at work. Floors must be spotless, hygiene standards met and everything prepared for another busy day. But the team now has an extra pair of helping hands. Or rather, a new colleague on wheels. His name is Robomatic Marvin, and he is taking some of the strain out of daily cleaning.

Karin Zenker

Published  

At Herlev Hospital, just outside Copenhagen, Birthe Bach Jensen oversees a team of around 45 cleaning employees working across operating theatre areas, the maternity department, laboratories and other facilities. In the operating theatre and maternity areas alone, 35 employees ensure cleaning is carried out around the clock. With extensive floor areas and strict hygiene requirements, efficiency and employee wellbeing are top priorities.

Less physical strain, more time for what matters

Before Marvin arrived, much of the floor cleaning was carried out manually. The extensive corridors and anterooms surrounding the operating theatres required considerable physical effort.

"Our biggest challenge was the working environment. We need to take care of our employees and prevent work-related wear and tear," explains Birthe. The hospital therefore looked for a way to reduce repetitive manual cleaning while maintaining high standards of cleanliness. Robomatic Marvin offered the right solution.

Today, Marvin cleans the corridors and anterooms around one of the operating theatre areas, as well as parts of the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit. He also works in the dialysis unit. His schedule is coordinated with hospital operations: in the operating theatre area, he starts before the first procedures of the day, while in dialysis, he cleans in the evenings when no patients are present.

While Marvin takes care of the floors, employees can concentrate on other essential tasks, such as cleaning walls, ceilings, high-touch surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.

The results are tangible. Birthe estimates that, in a 100 m² area requiring cleaning of floors, walls, ceilings and technical equipment, Marvin helps save approximately 25 to 30 per cent of working time. In other areas, the savings may be even greater.

«Für mich ist klar: Reinigungsroboter werden künftig eine immer wichtigere Rolle spielen. Marvin zeigt uns schon heute, wie gut Mensch und Technik zusammenarbeiten können.»
Birthe Bach Jensen, Cleaning Manager
Herlev Krankenhaus, Dänemark

Familiar technology makes the difference

For Birthe, choosing the right robot was about more than automation. It was essential to find a machine that employees could confidently operate.

The team was already familiar with Wetrok's Discomatic Mambo scrubber-dryer, making Marvin's similar handling a significant advantage. Another decisive factor was the ability to map cleaning areas independently, allowing employees to create and adjust cleaning plans whenever necessary.

"Being able to map Marvin ourselves is a huge advantage. We can create new cleaning plans quickly and change them whenever necessary," says Birthe.

The introduction went smoothly. The first employee was confidently operating Marvin within an hour, and others soon followed. One particularly motivated team member even created printed instructions showing colleagues where to position Marvin at different locations. For Birthe, the ease of use and the team's willingness to embrace the technology have been particularly encouraging.

A robot that brings people together

Marvin has not only changed cleaning routines. He has also brought a little excitement into the working day.

Birthe regularly hears employees talking about their experiences with their new robotic colleague, proudly sharing that they have learnt how to operate him.

One experience particularly stands out. During a recent Open Hospital event, Birthe introduced Marvin to visitors and fellow cleaning professionals. It did not take long before the audience became actively involved.

"After a short while, the cleaning employees took over. I could simply stand back and watch. They had great fun and quickly learnt how to map areas and operate Marvin," she recalls.

It is a small moment that illustrates an important point: new technology works best when the people using it feel comfortable and confident.

The future is already taking shape

At Herlev Hospital, Marvin's journey is only beginning. Plans are already underway to introduce him into additional corridors during the day and potentially into some of the hospital's larger laboratories.

Birthe is convinced that autonomous cleaning will play an increasingly important role in hospitals. "The better the robots become, the more they will be integrated into daily cleaning," she says.

Would she recommend Marvin to other hospitals? Absolutely. His cleaning performance, ease of use and ability to support the team have made a lasting impression.

At Herlev Hospital, the future of hospital cleaning is no longer just a vision. It is already rolling through the corridors.

Learn more about Robomatic Marvin

Entrance to Herlev Hospital
Exterior view of Herlev Hospital in Denmark
Robomatic Marvin cleaning the floor of a corridor
Marvin in action
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