Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about commercial robotics
57 questions we get asked most often by UK operators — covering cost, ROI, deployment, safety, day-to-day operation and what it means for your team.
At a glance
Getting started
What commercial robots do, and whether they suit your operation.
What is a commercial service robot?
A commercial service robot is an autonomous mobile machine that performs a repeatable operational task — cleaning hard floors, delivering food, or transporting goods — without a person driving or accompanying it. It navigates using LiDAR and 3D cameras, follows routes mapped during installation, avoids people and obstacles, and returns to a charging dock automatically.
How can robots help my business?
Robots take the high-volume, low-variation work — floor scrubbing, plate running, trolley moves — so your existing team spends its time on the work that needs judgement and human contact. UK operators typically use them to cover roles they cannot recruit for, cut agency spend, raise cleaning consistency and extend operating hours without increasing headcount.
Which businesses benefit most from robotics?
Any operation with a large hard-floor area, a repetitive internal transport route, or a role it struggles to recruit for. The strongest cases in the UK are hotels, care homes, warehouses, schools, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres, garden centres, shopping centres and facilities management providers.
Do I need a large site to justify a robot?
No. Cleaning robots are cost-effective from roughly 500 m² of hard floor, and compact models suit single restaurants and small gyms. For delivery robots the trigger is journey volume rather than floor area — if staff make dozens of the same trip each day, the case usually works.
How do I know which robot model is right for my site?
The choice depends on floor area, floor type, obstacle density, whether lifts are involved and what you need carried. Fresh Mango Robotics runs a free site survey, measures the areas, models the labour displaced, and recommends a specific model and configuration before you commit to anything.
Cost and ROI
What robotics costs in practice, and how quickly it pays back.
How much does a commercial robot cost in the UK?
Pricing depends on model and configuration, and is available three ways: outright purchase, a hybrid arrangement, or Robotics-as-a-Service on a fixed monthly fee that includes support and maintenance. Most operators compare the monthly figure directly against the shift or agency spend it displaces. Request pricing and we will quote against your actual site.
What is the ROI of a service robot?
Typical UK payback is 12 to 24 months, driven by displaced labour hours, avoided agency and premium-rate cover, lower consumable use and reduced slip-claim exposure. Cleaning-heavy sites with high agency reliance reach payback fastest. We build the model with your rota and rates during the survey.
Is it cheaper to buy or lease a robot?
Buying gives the lowest total cost over a long horizon and suits organisations with capital budget. Robotics-as-a-Service avoids capital outlay, includes support and maintenance in the monthly fee, is normally an operating expense, and lets you scale or stop at term. Multi-site operators often start with RaaS and buy once the model is proven.
Are there hidden costs?
No. The quote covers the robot, site survey, mapping, installation, staff training and support. The only ongoing items are consumables — water, cleaning solution and periodic brush or squeegee replacement — plus electricity, which is minimal. Lift integration, where required, is quoted separately and up front.
Will a robot reduce my cleaning contract cost?
Usually yes, but the bigger gain is what the contract delivers for the same money. Because the robot covers the large repeatable areas, contracted hours can be redirected to detail cleaning, washrooms and touchpoints — so the site is cleaner as well as cheaper to maintain.
Installation and deployment
How a robot gets from enquiry to live operation.
How long does it take to deploy a robot?
Most sites are live within a week of the survey. Installation itself usually takes a day: our engineers map the floor plan, set routes and exclusion zones, configure schedules, run safety checks and train your team. Hospitality deployments are frequently in live service the same day.
Do I need to change my building or infrastructure?
Rarely. Robots need a charging point and reasonable Wi-Fi coverage. They handle standard commercial floor surfaces, thresholds and door widths. The only common addition is a small lift controller where the robot needs to move between floors, which our engineers install.
How much training do staff need?
Around 30 to 60 minutes. Day-to-day operation is starting a route, filling and emptying tanks or loading a tray, and reading the status screen. We train on site during installation, leave written guidance, and are available by phone whenever a new starter needs a refresher.
Can I trial a robot before committing?
Yes. We run on-site demonstrations in your own environment so you can see the robot working on your floors, around your team and your customers. Book a demo and we will bring the appropriate model to your site.
Can robots work across multiple floors?
Yes. BUTLERBOT and delivery models integrate with most modern lifts through a controller fitted by our engineers, letting the robot call the lift, board, select a floor and exit autonomously. Cleaning robots are normally allocated per floor, or moved between floors by staff.
Operation and safety
How robots behave around people, and what they can and cannot do.
Are commercial robots safe around people?
Yes. Keenon robots use multi-layer LiDAR, 3D obstacle detection, ultrasonic sensors and emergency stops. They slow down and stop when a person, trolley or wheelchair enters their safety zone, use audible and visual alerts, and operate at controlled speeds. They are in daily use in UK care homes, hospitals, schools and shopping centres.
Can robots operate during business hours?
Yes. Cleaning robots run reduced-speed daytime cycles with exclusion zones around tills, displays and busy areas, and delivery robots are designed for occupied environments. Many operators run cleaning cycles through the day and a full scrub overnight.
How noisy are service robots?
Around 50 to 55 dB in normal operation — comparable to a quiet conversation and below typical restaurant ambience. Delivery robots include a night mode with reduced speed and softer prompts, which makes them suitable for overnight rounds in care homes and hotels.
What happens if a robot breaks down?
Our UK service desk provides remote diagnostics and telephone support, with engineer attendance where needed. Support and maintenance are included in Robotics-as-a-Service agreements and available as a support contract on purchased units. Spares are held in the UK.
How long do robots run on a charge?
Cleaning robots typically run three to six hours depending on model and mode, and return to dock automatically to recharge before resuming. Delivery robots cover a full service period on a charge and top up between rounds, so most sites see no interruption to the schedule.
Do robots collect personal data?
The robots do not record or store identifiable video or audio of customers, residents or staff. Mapping data, routes and operational logs stay on the on-site device and can be configured to meet your information-governance and UK GDPR requirements. We will document this for your DPIA on request.
Workforce and change
What robotics means for the people already on your team.
Will robots replace my staff?
No. In practice UK operators use robotics to cover roles they cannot fill and to reduce agency spend, not to make people redundant. The robot takes the mileage and the carrying; your team keeps the guest contact, the care, the judgement and the detail work.
How do staff usually react to robots?
Better than most managers expect. The tasks robots take on are the ones people dislike most — late-night mopping, trolley pushing, endless plate running. Involving the team during the survey and letting them name the robot makes adoption noticeably smoother.
Do robots work alongside existing cleaning contractors?
Yes, and it is a common arrangement. The robot covers large repeatable hard-floor areas while the contracted team handles washrooms, touchpoints and detail work. Many FM providers now deploy robots themselves to deliver contracts they would otherwise struggle to staff.
About Fresh Mango Robotics
Who we are and how we support UK deployments.
Who are Fresh Mango Robotics?
Fresh Mango Robotics is the robotics division of Fresh Mango Technologies (UK) Ltd, a UK IT support and cyber security company established for over 25 years. We are an authorised Keenon Robotics dealer supplying, installing and supporting service, cleaning and logistics robots throughout the UK, with engineers based in Yorkshire.
Which areas of the UK do you cover?
The whole of the UK. Our engineering base is in Yorkshire, so Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, York, Hull, Manchester and the wider North of England see the fastest response, but we deploy and support sites nationwide including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
What support do you provide after installation?
UK-based telephone and remote support from our own service desk, engineer attendance where needed, consumables supply, software updates, and periodic reviews of run data to tune routes and schedules as your site changes.
How do I book a demonstration?
Book a demo through the website and we will arrange an on-site demonstration with the model best suited to your environment, or a site visit to survey the areas and model the business case. You can also call 01765 606700.
Compliance and risk
UKCA/CE marking, insurance and data protection for robots on your site.
Are commercial robots UKCA or CE marked?
Keenon robots supplied by Fresh Mango Robotics carry the manufacturer's UKCA and/or CE marking, which is Keenon's declaration that the product meets the applicable UK and EU safety, EMC and machinery requirements at the point of sale. UKCA/CE marking relates to the equipment itself; it does not remove the operator's separate duty to run a site-specific risk assessment before the robot goes into service. We can supply the relevant declarations of conformity on request.
What is the difference between UKCA and CE marking?
CE marking indicates conformity with EU requirements; UKCA marking is the equivalent UK conformity mark introduced after Brexit. Many products, including the robots we supply, currently carry both. Neither marking is a safety guarantee for your specific site — it confirms the product met the relevant standards when tested by the manufacturer. Ongoing suitability for your environment is assessed through your own risk assessment.
Do I need a risk assessment before deploying a robot?
Yes. Under UK health and safety law, the operator (not the manufacturer or dealer) is responsible for assessing risks in their own workplace, including how a robot interacts with staff, visitors, floor conditions and other equipment. We support this process with technical specifications, safety-zone data and sensor documentation, but the risk assessment itself is a duty that sits with your organisation.
Who is responsible for insuring a deployed robot?
Responsibility depends on your commercial model and should be confirmed in your contract and with your own insurer. Fresh Mango Robotics holds its own business insurance through Hiscox, covering our operations as a dealer and service provider. This does not automatically extend to cover your premises, stock or public liability arising from robot use on your site — check with your broker what your existing policies cover and whether any endorsement is needed.
How is GDPR handled when a robot is deployed?
Keenon robots are not designed to record or retain identifiable video or audio of customers, residents or staff during normal cleaning or delivery operation; navigation relies on depth and LiDAR mapping rather than facial recognition. Operational logs, maps and routes are stored on the on-site device. As the data controller for your premises, you remain responsible for your own UK GDPR compliance, including any staff or customer-facing notices. We provide technical documentation to support your assessment.
When would I need a Data Protection Impact Assessment for a robot?
A DPIA is generally advisable where a deployment could involve higher-risk processing — for example large-scale monitoring of a public space, or any configuration that adds cameras with recording or identification features. Standard cleaning and delivery robot use is low risk, but you should make your own determination, ideally with your data protection officer, based on the specific configuration and site. We can provide technical detail to inform that assessment but cannot complete it on your behalf.
Ongoing operations and support
What to expect once a robot is live on your site — response times, servicing and updates.
What SLA response times are available?
Support tiers range from a 48-hour response on our Essential tier through to a 4-hour response on Enterprise, with 24-hour response on Professional. The right tier depends on how critical the robot is to your operation and whether you need out-of-hours cover. Full tier details are on our support page, and terms are confirmed in your support contract.
What uptime should I expect from a service robot?
Well-maintained Keenon units run reliably in daily commercial use across UK hospitality, care and logistics sites, with planned downtime limited to charging cycles and routine servicing. Actual uptime depends on usage intensity, floor conditions and how consistently consumables and battery health are maintained. We monitor performance remotely and flag any degradation before it becomes a failure where possible.
How is servicing and maintenance arranged?
Maintenance is included in Robotics-as-a-Service and Hybrid agreements, and available as an optional contract on purchased units. It covers software and firmware updates, sensor calibration guidance, battery health checks and hardware fault diagnosis, with engineer attendance where remote fixes are not sufficient. Routine cleaning of the unit itself is a straightforward daily task carried out by your own staff.
What happens if I need to escalate a support issue?
Start with our UK service desk by phone or the support portal. Essential and Professional customers are handled by the desk team; Enterprise customers have a dedicated account engineer who can escalate directly. If a fault needs an on-site visit, we schedule an engineer according to your SLA tier and keep you updated on status throughout.
How are spare parts and consumables supplied?
We hold spares in the UK for the models we supply, so common components — brushes, squeegees, filters, batteries — are replaced quickly rather than waiting on long import lead times. Consumables like cleaning solution are sourced locally by the operator; we advise on suitable products during onboarding and support can help source them if needed.
Are software updates included in support?
Yes. Software and firmware updates are included in all our support tiers and in RaaS and Hybrid agreements, covering navigation improvements, security patches and new features released by Keenon. Updates are typically applied remotely with minimal disruption, scheduled outside your busiest operating hours where possible.
Commercial models
Choosing between buying, leasing and Robotics-as-a-Service, and what happens at term end.
Should I buy or lease a commercial robot?
Buying suits organisations with available capital budget and a long planning horizon, since it gives the lowest total cost over five or more years and full asset ownership. Leasing through Robotics-as-a-Service suits operators who want to avoid upfront capital, keep costs as a predictable operating expense, and have support and maintenance bundled in. Many operators start with RaaS to prove the business case, then buy once they are confident in the model.
What is the difference between buying and Robotics-as-a-Service?
Buying transfers ownership to you immediately in exchange for a larger upfront payment, with maintenance optional and separate. RaaS is a monthly subscription, typically over a 36-month term, that bundles the robot, support, maintenance and software updates into one predictable fee with little or no upfront cost. RaaS does not build equity in the hardware in the way a purchase does, which is the main trade-off to weigh against the cash-flow benefit.
What happens at the end of a Robotics-as-a-Service term?
At the end of a typical 36-month RaaS term you can usually renew on updated terms, upgrade to a newer model, or return the unit, depending on the agreement in place at the time. We discuss end-of-term options well before expiry so there are no surprises, and most operators either upgrade or roll onto a renewed agreement rather than returning the robot outright.
Can I upgrade to a newer robot model during my contract?
RaaS and Hybrid agreements typically include an upgrade path, allowing you to move to a newer model as new hardware becomes available, usually at natural contract renewal points. Outright purchase does not include an automatic upgrade path, though we are always happy to discuss trade-in or part-exchange options as new models are released.
What condition does a robot need to be returned in?
Return conditions are set out in your specific agreement, but generally expect normal fair wear and tear to be acceptable while accidental damage, missing parts or excessive neglect may incur charges. We carry out a joint condition check at collection so there is a clear, agreed record before the unit is returned or exchanged.
What does the monthly RaaS fee actually include?
The monthly fee covers the robot hardware, site survey and installation, staff training, ongoing support and maintenance, and software updates for the term of the agreement. The only additional running costs are consumables such as water, cleaning solution and electricity, which are minimal. There are no hidden charges layered on top of the quoted monthly figure.
Technical performance
How robots handle real UK floors, buildings and network conditions.
How do cleaning robots perform on carpet?
Cleaning robots are designed for hard floors — vinyl, tile, laminate and polished concrete — rather than carpeted areas, since scrubbing and mopping mechanisms are not suitable for soft flooring. Sites with mixed flooring typically run the robot across hard-floor zones and keep carpeted areas on existing cleaning routines. During the site survey we map exactly which areas the robot can cover.
Can robots handle thresholds and door sills?
Most Keenon models manage standard commercial thresholds and shallow door sills without issue, as part of normal navigation. Unusually high sills, loose transition strips or steep ramps can cause difficulty and are identified during the site survey, where we recommend route adjustments or minor threshold modifications if genuinely needed.
Can robots use lifts to move between floors?
Yes, for models designed for multi-floor use such as BUTLERBOT and our delivery robots. This requires a lift controller, fitted by our engineers, that lets the robot call the lift, board, select a floor and exit autonomously. Not every lift is compatible without modification, so lift integration is assessed and quoted separately during the survey.
What gradients and ramps can a robot cope with?
Robots handle gentle, standard-compliant ramps found in most commercial buildings, but there are model-specific limits on gradient steepness and surface grip. Steep ramps, loose matting on ramps, or transitions with a sudden angle change are checked during the site survey so any route can be adjusted or excluded where the gradient is unsuitable.
Can robots detect glass doors and low obstacles?
Yes. Keenon robots combine LiDAR with 3D depth cameras and ultrasonic sensors, which detect glass panels, low obstacles like plinths and cables, and moving people or trolleys, then slow or stop accordingly. No obstacle-detection system is completely infallible in every lighting and reflectivity condition, so we configure exclusion zones around known problem areas such as fully glazed entrances during setup.
How do robots navigate without pre-laid tracks or markers?
Robots build a map of your site during installation using LiDAR and SLAM (simultaneous localisation and mapping), then localise against that map in real time as they move. This means no floor magnets, tape or fixed rails are needed, and routes can be edited in software when your layout changes rather than requiring physical rework.
What Wi-Fi and connectivity do robots need?
Robots need reasonable Wi-Fi coverage across the areas they operate in, mainly for remote monitoring, software updates and fleet reporting rather than real-time navigation, which runs on the robot's own onboard sensors. We check signal coverage during the site survey and advise on any access point additions needed before installation.
Comparing robots and approaches
How different models and commercial approaches stack up against each other, in balanced terms.
How do Keenon robots compare with Pudu robots?
Keenon and Pudu are both established commercial robotics manufacturers with overlapping delivery and cleaning ranges used across UK hospitality and retail. As an authorised Keenon dealer, we supply, install and support the Keenon range specifically, and can speak in detail to its specifications and UK track record. We would encourage any operator comparing brands to request specifications directly and, where possible, see a live demonstration of each before deciding.
How do Keenon cleaning robots compare with Whiz?
Whiz (from SoftBank Robotics/Brain Corp) is a well-known commercial cleaning robot, and Keenon's cleaning range covers similar hard-floor scrubbing and vacuuming use cases. Both are used across UK commercial sites; the right choice depends on your floor types, area size and required tank capacity. We supply and support the Keenon range and can talk through its specification against your requirements during a free site survey.
Should I use a cleaning robot or a traditional cleaning contract?
They are not mutually exclusive — most UK sites that deploy a cleaning robot keep a human cleaning contract for washrooms, touchpoints and detail work, while the robot covers large repeatable hard-floor areas. A robot suits consistent, high-volume floor coverage; a contract cleaner suits variable, judgement-based tasks. Many operators find the combination delivers a cleaner site for similar or lower overall cost than a contract alone.
Is Robotics-as-a-Service better than owning the robot outright?
Neither is universally better — it depends on your budget structure and time horizon. RaaS suits operators who want predictable monthly costs, bundled support and the flexibility to upgrade, especially for a first deployment. Outright ownership suits organisations with capital available who plan to run the robot for five or more years and want the lowest total cost. We help model both scenarios against your numbers before you commit.
Explore
Still deciding?
Question not answered here?
Call 01765 606700 or send us the detail and a UK engineer will come back to you — no sales script.
No hard sell. No minimum commitment. Real engineers, UK-based support.