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How a robot can become part of a smart building system
Modern technologies are radically changing the approach to real estate management. The concept of a “smart building” is no longer limited to lighting, climate control, and video surveillance—automated cleaning systems are increasingly being incorporated into it. Smart homes and cleaning go hand in hand today, especially when it comes to commercial real estate: business centers, shopping malls, hotels, airports, and medical facilities.
One of the key areas is the integration of robots with building systems, which achieves a new level of efficiency, resource savings, and consistent cleaning quality.
One of the key areas is the integration of robots with building systems, which achieves a new level of efficiency, resource savings, and consistent cleaning quality.
What is a “smart building” and why should a cleaning robot be introduced there?
The concept of BMS and automation
BMS (Building Management System) systems are a single digital center through which all engineering processes are controlled: ventilation, heating, lighting, access, security, and energy efficiency. Their main purpose is to optimize building operation and reduce costs.
When a robot connected to the BMS is added to such an ecosystem, it becomes possible to centrally manage cleaning: run it on a schedule, adapt it to room occupancy, take into account data from pollution sensors, and coordinate with the operation of elevators, lighting, and other systems.
BMS (Building Management System) systems are a single digital center through which all engineering processes are controlled: ventilation, heating, lighting, access, security, and energy efficiency. Their main purpose is to optimize building operation and reduce costs.
When a robot connected to the BMS is added to such an ecosystem, it becomes possible to centrally manage cleaning: run it on a schedule, adapt it to room occupancy, take into account data from pollution sensors, and coordinate with the operation of elevators, lighting, and other systems.
Advantages of integrating a cleaning robot with BMS
1. Automatic cleaning control
Instead of being manually started by an operator, cleaning is performed according to predefined algorithms: at a specific time, in the required area, taking into account external factors. For example:
Cleaning is activated in the corridor only after business events have ended.
The floors in the lobby are cleaned immediately after peak traffic (read via the access system or video surveillance).
The robot does not start cleaning if the fire alarm system has detected an alarm or an increased accumulation of people.
2. Resource savings
Thanks to its connection to other subsystems, the building can:
reduce or turn off lighting in areas where the robot has already cleaned;
turn on ventilation to speed up floor drying after wet cleaning;
adapt the robot's route depending on floor occupancy or floor condition.
3. Increased safety
Integration helps avoid collisions and increase people's safety:
The robot receives data from door locks, motion sensors, and video surveillance systems.
If a person appears in the area, the route is changed or cleaning is paused.
The robot does not enter closed or emergency areas.
4. Dispatching and analytics
All information about the robot's movements, the number of square meters cleaned, consumables used, and operating time is transmitted to the BMS system. This simplifies control, reporting, maintenance planning, and parts replacement.
1. Automatic cleaning control
Instead of being manually started by an operator, cleaning is performed according to predefined algorithms: at a specific time, in the required area, taking into account external factors. For example:
Cleaning is activated in the corridor only after business events have ended.
The floors in the lobby are cleaned immediately after peak traffic (read via the access system or video surveillance).
The robot does not start cleaning if the fire alarm system has detected an alarm or an increased accumulation of people.
2. Resource savings
Thanks to its connection to other subsystems, the building can:
reduce or turn off lighting in areas where the robot has already cleaned;
turn on ventilation to speed up floor drying after wet cleaning;
adapt the robot's route depending on floor occupancy or floor condition.
3. Increased safety
Integration helps avoid collisions and increase people's safety:
The robot receives data from door locks, motion sensors, and video surveillance systems.
If a person appears in the area, the route is changed or cleaning is paused.
The robot does not enter closed or emergency areas.
4. Dispatching and analytics
All information about the robot's movements, the number of square meters cleaned, consumables used, and operating time is transmitted to the BMS system. This simplifies control, reporting, maintenance planning, and parts replacement.
- Smart home and cleaning: usage scenarios
- Example 1: Office center class ABMS records when employees leave the office in the evening.
- The robot starts automatically, cleaning public areas first, then workspaces.
- Upon completion, the system notifies engineers of the cleaning status.
- Example 2: Shopping center
- The robot interacts with the digital navigation and elevator system.
- Taking into account visitor traffic, it avoids crowded areas and chooses an alternative route.
- If necessary, the BMS turns on additional lighting for nighttime operation.
- Example 3: Hotel
- Cleaning of rooms and corridors is only possible when guests are absent — the robot receives information through the occupancy management system.
- Areas with increased traffic are cleaned more often, while others are cleaned according to schedule.
How the robot is integrated with the building system
Integration requires the participation of IT and facility operation specialists. The process includes several stages:
1. Compatibility assessment
It is necessary to check whether the robot program supports communication with the BMS (via API, BACnet protocols, Modbus, etc.), and whether the building system has open interfaces.
2. Creating scenarios
Together with engineers, logic is developed: when and how to start cleaning, which areas are prioritized, how to respond to non-standard events.
3. Setting up routes and schedules
Optimal routes for the cleaning robot are entered into the building map and synchronized with other systems (e.g., automatic doors or elevators).
4. Testing and debugging
Before launch, an integration test is performed: the correctness of data exchange, correct response to events, and security are checked.
5. Support and updates
After implementation, the system requires periodic configuration: software updates, route adjustments, and the addition of new scenarios.
Integration requires the participation of IT and facility operation specialists. The process includes several stages:
1. Compatibility assessment
It is necessary to check whether the robot program supports communication with the BMS (via API, BACnet protocols, Modbus, etc.), and whether the building system has open interfaces.
2. Creating scenarios
Together with engineers, logic is developed: when and how to start cleaning, which areas are prioritized, how to respond to non-standard events.
3. Setting up routes and schedules
Optimal routes for the cleaning robot are entered into the building map and synchronized with other systems (e.g., automatic doors or elevators).
4. Testing and debugging
Before launch, an integration test is performed: the correctness of data exchange, correct response to events, and security are checked.
5. Support and updates
After implementation, the system requires periodic configuration: software updates, route adjustments, and the addition of new scenarios.
Which robots are suitable for integration into a smart building
Not all models can be connected to a BMS. To do so, the device must:
support cloud or local API;
be compatible with automation systems (Modbus, BACnet);
provide stable two-way communication with the building server;
have intelligent navigation and zoning systems.
Modern robots with BMS connectivity, such as Waybot solutions, meet these requirements and can be easily integrated into corporate infrastructure.
Not all models can be connected to a BMS. To do so, the device must:
support cloud or local API;
be compatible with automation systems (Modbus, BACnet);
provide stable two-way communication with the building server;
have intelligent navigation and zoning systems.
Modern robots with BMS connectivity, such as Waybot solutions, meet these requirements and can be easily integrated into corporate infrastructure.
Technical and organizational requirements
For successful integration, the following is required:
A stable Wi-Fi network throughout the entire cleaning area;
BMS system compatibility with external APIs;
Access to floor plans and zoning;
Coordination with the facility's IT department;
Training of responsible employees in management via BMS or tablet.
Development prospects: full cleaning management cycle
In the near future, automatic cleaning management will not just be part of BMS, but will become an integral part of it. There are already solutions where the robot independently:
Receives tasks from the BMS;
Manages water levels and battery charge;
Orders consumables through the ERP system;
Generates reports for the management company.
In this way, the cleaning system becomes completely predictable, controllable, and cost-effective.
For successful integration, the following is required:
A stable Wi-Fi network throughout the entire cleaning area;
BMS system compatibility with external APIs;
Access to floor plans and zoning;
Coordination with the facility's IT department;
Training of responsible employees in management via BMS or tablet.
Development prospects: full cleaning management cycle
In the near future, automatic cleaning management will not just be part of BMS, but will become an integral part of it. There are already solutions where the robot independently:
Receives tasks from the BMS;
Manages water levels and battery charge;
Orders consumables through the ERP system;
Generates reports for the management company.
In this way, the cleaning system becomes completely predictable, controllable, and cost-effective.
Conclusion: robots and BMS — a step towards full building automation
A modern building is no longer perceived as simply a collection of rooms and engineering systems. It is a digital ecosystem in which every device must work synchronously, rationally, and predictably. In this context, integrating a robot into a building system is no longer a luxury, but a necessary condition for improving the efficiency of facility operation.
Connecting cleaning equipment to a centralized BMS system allows you to:
automate cleaning management, completely eliminating the human factor;
reduce cleaning costs by precisely launching the robot and eliminating duplicate work;
maintain a high level of cleanliness in areas with variable traffic — retail, office, and medical facilities;
increase safety for visitors and employees by avoiding collisions and working in unauthorized areas.
Smart homes and cleaning are no longer two separate areas, but a single technological process. Thanks to BMS, the robot becomes part of the overall infrastructure, rather than just a stand-alone piece of equipment. Its actions are coordinated with elevators, lighting, access systems, climate control, and even event schedules within the building.
For owners and management companies, this means:
Transparency of processes and convenient analytics;
Flexibility in cleaning management without the constant involvement of staff;
Reduced risks associated with equipment wear and tear and human error.
For tenants and visitors, it means a more comfortable, clean, and safe environment. When cleaning takes place regardless of the cleaner's schedule, but at the right time and in the right place, it becomes part of high-quality customer service.
This is especially relevant in the following segments:
premium commercial real estate;
modern shopping and entertainment centers;
smart hotels;
medical infrastructure facilities;
high-tech business centers.
Thus, a robot connected to a BMS is not just an innovation, but a strategic tool in property management. In the next 3–5 years, such solutions will become the standard: robotization of cleaning will begin not with the purchase of a device, but with its deep integration into the building system.
And if you are already investing in a “smart building” today, don't put off cleaning automation — connecting a robot to the BMS will not only increase the return on technology, but also make the operation of your facility truly modern and competitive.
A modern building is no longer perceived as simply a collection of rooms and engineering systems. It is a digital ecosystem in which every device must work synchronously, rationally, and predictably. In this context, integrating a robot into a building system is no longer a luxury, but a necessary condition for improving the efficiency of facility operation.
Connecting cleaning equipment to a centralized BMS system allows you to:
automate cleaning management, completely eliminating the human factor;
reduce cleaning costs by precisely launching the robot and eliminating duplicate work;
maintain a high level of cleanliness in areas with variable traffic — retail, office, and medical facilities;
increase safety for visitors and employees by avoiding collisions and working in unauthorized areas.
Smart homes and cleaning are no longer two separate areas, but a single technological process. Thanks to BMS, the robot becomes part of the overall infrastructure, rather than just a stand-alone piece of equipment. Its actions are coordinated with elevators, lighting, access systems, climate control, and even event schedules within the building.
For owners and management companies, this means:
Transparency of processes and convenient analytics;
Flexibility in cleaning management without the constant involvement of staff;
Reduced risks associated with equipment wear and tear and human error.
For tenants and visitors, it means a more comfortable, clean, and safe environment. When cleaning takes place regardless of the cleaner's schedule, but at the right time and in the right place, it becomes part of high-quality customer service.
This is especially relevant in the following segments:
premium commercial real estate;
modern shopping and entertainment centers;
smart hotels;
medical infrastructure facilities;
high-tech business centers.
Thus, a robot connected to a BMS is not just an innovation, but a strategic tool in property management. In the next 3–5 years, such solutions will become the standard: robotization of cleaning will begin not with the purchase of a device, but with its deep integration into the building system.
And if you are already investing in a “smart building” today, don't put off cleaning automation — connecting a robot to the BMS will not only increase the return on technology, but also make the operation of your facility truly modern and competitive.
