By Jim Utter
Director of Journalism
The use of robotics in the car wash industry seems a natural extension of the technological advancements of recent years, but it also provides owners with more questions.
Among them is how much should they allow things like artificial intelligence (AI) and robots to control the entire car washing experience.
On one hand, there is the ability to greatly reduce labor costs, but there are some aspects of the car wash experience customers may prefer to maintain a “personal touch.”
As innovation continues to change the landscape of the car wash industry, the use of robotics is paving the way for a day when every wash could be smart, efficient and effective.
Car Wash Robotics, based in Olathe, Kansas, recently announced it had made its second sale of its new automated car wash robots.
The Five Corners Hand Car Wash in New Hyde Park, N.Y., purchased the Car Wash Robotics Dual Robot Automated Prep System, which should be installed and operational in February.
“The investment in this two-robot system by Car Wash Robotics will free up labor, reduce labor cost, save us money on soap and our water usage while increasing our vehicle throughput volume per hour and wash power/quality,” said the site’s owner, David Rubenstein.
“Our ROI for this is two years.”
CWR’s industrial robots and cobots (companion robots) automatically initiate cleaning cycles by proximity to 200 cars per hour or less. Vehicle front, sides, hood, roof, wheels and rear of vehicles are cleaned/treated as per application requirements.
And CWR is just several providers now engaged in the market.
High-tech engineering, laboratory analysis and capabilities now available in AI and computer software have provided the means to create ways to remove the human element from the washing experience.
Advanced sensors and programming allow robotic arms to navigate around cars with remarkable accuracy, providing a thorough cleaning while minimizing any risk of damage by one-size-fits-all operations.
Other benefits are seen in areas of efficiency and the continued effort to make the industry more environmentally friendly.
For instance, AI systems can adapt brush or pressure jets’ cleaning paths based on the specific dimensions and contours of each vehicle, ensuring a more thorough cleaning.
Those same systems can also anticipate potential issues in car wash equipment before they escalate, helping to reduce downtime, and can also analyze real-time data to optimize water and cleaning chemicals use, reducing cost and lessen environmental impact.
Of course, with any technology, there are potential issues.
While robotics may save money in the long run, for some smaller or medium-sized owners, the up front cost of such systems – and the infrastructure needed to install it – may be prohibitive.
Technical and software upgrades are likely also required on a semi-regular basis, especially with something that is so new and ever evolving.
More reliance on technology also brings growing cyber-security concerns and the need to adhere to data privacy regulations.
You don’t want to run the risk of turning away the same customers enticed by the new features because they find the digital experience unwelcoming.
Owners are also increasingly dependent on data analytics to drive business and cater to customer demands. The interruption or breakdown of that information can be costly as well.
Regardless, the car wash industry remains one of the most innovative and the use of robotics is just the latest avenue by which it continues to evolve – to the benefit of owners and customers alike.
