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Sodexo Introduces Cleaning Robot to Children's Ward

22 November 2021 | Updated 23 November 2021
 

Sodexo’s cleaning team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, part of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, has a new recruit of the robot variety who has been named Chloe by young patients on the children’s ward.

Chloe the robot will be helping the team who keep Stoke Mandeville hospital a clean and safe space for all by ensuring the floors of communal areas, corridors, entrances and the children’s wards are kept spotless, whilst her human colleagues concentrate on sanitising touchpoints around the hospital which is crucial to preventing the spread of infections such as COVID-19.

Chloe has been designed with the patient experience in mind. She provides essential floor cleaning which dries quicker than other methods and can also interact with patients, visitors and hospital staff whilst performing her cleaning tasks. With her sleek design, expressive eyes and ability to speak, Chloe has a friendly and approachable personality.

 

Automated Assistance for Patient Experience

 

Philip Leigh, CEO healthcare, Sodexo UK & Ireland said that “Chloe is an exciting new addition to [their] cleaning team at Stoke Mandeville, reaffirming our commitment to the Trust to bring innovation into the delivery of FM services at the hospital.

“At Sodexo we understand the importance of patient experience and Chloe, will not only support her human colleagues in the provision of a high standard of cleaning and hygiene practice at the hospital, but will also provide some entertainment for the hospital’s younger patients and their carers as they interact with her as she carries out her duties.”

Chloe, who is teamed with a human colleague to assist her in her duties, has a range of sensors which include precision lidars, sonars and a light-enabled safety bumper, all well-integrated to equip the cleaning robot with the capability to cleverly see the environment around them and to respond accordingly, meeting the objective to detect and avoid any potential collisions in the cleaning path.

 

Revolutionising Cleaning Technology 

 

Chloe, is a LionsBot robot and is operated through Lions Operating System (LionsOS), software that empowers the robot for optimal performance. Using cutting edge technology in artificial intelligence, a LionsBot robot provides an excellent user experience while placing a strong emphasis on total safety, total security and total solutions from the ground up.

Recently autonomous robots have become popular investments for cleaning for their consistent abilities and economic benefit over time. Launching at The Cleaning Show 2021, Rex the robot uses lidar technology to clean 4,032m² - or the size of a football field - in one hour, the highest cleaning efficiency in its size class. 

Michel Sprujit from Brain Corp Europe discussed the role of robots in the cleaning industry with us in-depth. 

“We are delighted to welcome Chloe to our hospital," added Ali Williams, Commercial Director at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. "She is a great innovation. Not only will she free up Sodexo’s team to ensure the hospital continues to be kept clean and sanitised, but Chloe will also bring some fun and distraction  for our young patients, their families and all those working at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital.”

Sodexo has worked side by side with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Stoke Mandeville Hospital, since 2006 providing innovative solutions to help improve patient care outcomes and ensure a safe working environment for the Trust’s hard-working employees.

 

Picture: a photo of Chloe and two of Stoke Mandeville Hospital's young patients.

 

Article written by Bailey Sparkes | Published 22 November 2021

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