SkyBot is a window-cleaning robot created by SkyBot, Ltd. The device is a completely autonomous robot that works on a wide variety of high-rise buildings.
Window-washing on high-rise buildings is hazardous work; about seventy people die each year in the U.S. along with another 130 who are injured.
The Skybot robotic system is unique and stands at the cusp of combining the most advanced technology (A.I.) and plain low-tech common sense. The core of Skybot robots consist of a computer, which controls the lifting crane (B.M.U. or Building Maintenance Unit) to position the robot just right to attend to the given cleaning assignment type. The robot utilizes new adhesion technology developed by Skybot, which intensifies surface contact necessary for superior cleaning. Once the robot is positioned, the computer controls the robot operations, while analyzing the results via a variety of sensors. The robot performs a highly condensed distilled purified water sprinkling after a highly controlled distillation process. The rinsing stage utilizes only environment friendly detergents, as approved by the local regulatory authorities. The drops are then promptly whisked away by an "air knife".
Science fiction fans may recall Window-Willie from Robert Heinlein's 1956 novel Door Into Summer.
I got to thinking about dirty windows and that ring around the bathtub that is so hard to scrub, as you have to bend double to get at it. It turned Out that an electrostatic device could make dirt go spung! off any polished silica surface, window glass, bathtubs, toilet bowls-anything of that sort. That was Window Willie and it's a wonder that somebody hadn't thought of him sooner. I held him back until I had him down to a price that people could not refuse. Do you know what window washing used to cost by the hour?
Update 13-Feb-2009: Take a look at this entry for the window cleaner robots from Arthur C. Clarke's 1972 novel Rendezvous With Rama. End update.
This has been a pretty good week for Heinlein; see other news stories related to Door Into Summer. From SkyBot via Getting robots in to clean high-rise windows . Thanks to Moira for finding this one.