Window Hero, a HomeFront Brands franchise that specializes in a wide range of exterior cleaning services, is launching a drone window-cleaning service. The company has partnered with Lucid Bots Inc. to offer a drone-powered exterior cleaning system.
“This new drone-powered cleaning service is a cost-effective solution that allows for a faster cleanup time with a smaller crew using fewer tools,” stated David Blue, president of Window Hero. “We’re excited about this partnership with Lucid and with the new services we’ll be able to provide to our clientele.”
The Charlotte, N.C.-based company showcased the new drone-cleaning service last week at Ambassador Christian School in Huntersville, N.C.
“We have high hopes for our new partnership with HomeFront Brands and Window Hero,” said Lucid founder and CEO Andrew Ashur.
“It’s been Lucid’s goal to make dangerous jobs safer and to provide frontier technology for old-school industries,” he said. “We look forward to helping Window Hero provide effective, innovative, and efficient service to their customers.”
Charlotte, N.C.-based Lucid Bots said it is an AI robotics company. In May, it raised $9.1 million in Series A funding.
Lucid Bots said it plans to use the financing to advance its portfolio of autonomous robotic systems. That includes the flagship Sherpa cleaning drone and the Lavo Bot pressure-washing robots.
Window Hero to use Lucid Bots Sherpa
Window Hero will be using one of Lucid Bots’ Sherpa drones. The companies said it integrates with any existing softwash pump system, is easy to fly and control, and can clean up to 300 sq. ft. (27.8 sq. m) per minute.
Lucid Bots asserted that with its drones customers can save 80% on costs compared with traditional cleaning methods. It added that that they can get a 400% increase in return on investment (ROI).
Sherpa is designed to take on tough exterior cleaning jobs. The drone has an onboard chemical tank with a variable mix ratio, allowing customers to separate the cleaning solution from clean water. Users can control the drone from the ground.
The company’s other product, Lavo Bot, is a wheeled surface-cleaning, pressure-washing robot. It can cover up to 800 sq. ft. (74.3 sq. m) in six minutes, has an over two-hour run time, and can charge in 45 minutes.
Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots said it is looking to expand into to new markets with its AI-driven software and sensor platform. The company cited an estimated $100 billion market opportunity for intelligent robots to perform dangerous, labor-intensive tasks.
Other robotic window cleaning solutions
Lucid Bots isn’t the only company hoping to provide robotic cleaning systems. For example, Skyline Robotics offers a window-cleaning system called Ozmo. This system combines artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision with advanced sensors and a KUKA KR AGILUS robot arm, according to Skyline.
It also isn’t the only company using drones for cleaning. KTV Working Drone is a Norwegian company offering commercial drone-cleaning services. KTV said its drone technology allows for quicker turnaround times and frequent and proactive maintenance.
The window washing market in the U.S. is set to reach $2.9 billion this year, according to IBIS World. Over the next five years, the market research firm predicted that the window-washing industry revenue will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7% to reach $3.2 billion in 2029.
Despite this growth, the number of employees in the market has dropped 5.1% from 2019 to 2024, leaving more room for automated systems to step in.
