- In 2025, cleaning robots have become the answer to systemic problems in workforce management. Companies from a wide range of industries, from retail to logistics, are choosing robotic cleaning for the following reasons:
- Increased FOT (payroll) costs. In addition to salaries, the employer pays taxes, vacation pay, sick leave and has to find a substitute when an employee is absent.
- Difficulties with recruitment. In large cities it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a reliable and responsible cleaner. Especially for night shifts or weekend work.
- Stability and continuity of processes. A robot vacuum cleaner does not get tired, does not miss shifts, does not require motivation - it performs tasks exactly according to the set scenario.
- Control and reporting. Modern devices are equipped with telemetry: you always know where, when and how much cleaning was done. This eliminates negligence and reduces the burden on the management staff.
- Company image. The presence of robots in maintenance emphasizes the level of technology and modern approach - especially relevant for hotels, shopping centers and business centers.
Let's calculate on a typical site: an office or retail space of 3000 m². Today it is serviced by two cleaners on the day and evening shifts. The average salary of one employee with taxes and deductions is 45,000 ₽.
Total monthly personnel costs: 45,000 × 2 = 90,000 ₽
Annual cost: 90,000 × 12 = 1,080,000 ₽
Now let's compare to a robot:
Cost of robot: 1,350,000 ₽
Lifetime: minimum 3 years
Service and maintenance: 10,000 ₽ per month × 12 = 120,000 ₽/year
Annual depreciation (amortization): 1,350,000 ÷ 3 = 450,000 ₽
Total cost per robot per year: 450,000 + 120,000 = 570,000 ₽
Savings: 1,080,000 - 570,000 = 510,000 ₽ per year.
If cleaning is done twice a day (for example, in a medical center), the benefit increases to 1,000,000 ₽ per year.
When will the cleaning robot pay for itself? - In 2.5 years, after which it will start generating net savings.
- Factors affecting the return on investment
- The payback period depends on many parameters:
- The area of the premises. One robot can replace from 2 to 4 employees in facilities from 2000 to 8000 m². The larger the area, the faster the payback.
- Cleaning frequency. If the premises are cleaned 2-3 times a day, the personnel costs increase proportionally, while the robot remains the same.
- Regional differences. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, the robot pays off faster than in the regions due to higher labor costs.
- Complexity and work schedule. If the object works around the clock (for example, a warehouse 24/7), a robot is much more profitable than a night shift of people.
- Operating conditions. Proper maintenance extends service life and minimizes unplanned costs.
Calculating robot profitability: formula and application
To understand whether an investment in robotization is justified, the following formula is used:
Profitability (%) = (Savings per year / Total cost) × 100
Example:
Personnel savings: 600,000 ₽ per year
Robot cost and annual maintenance: 1,000,000 ₽
Profitability: (600,000 / 1,000,000) × 100 = 60%
This is a high-level indicator. In business, profitability above 25% is already considered a good investment. The robot exceeds this threshold by more than double.
When to buy and when to rentIt is not always possible to purchase equipment outright. In this case it is possible to rent a cleaning robot, especially at the stage of a pilot project.
When renting is advantageous:When launching a new facility or shopping center
For a test drive for 1-3 months
If the company has seasonal peaks (e.g., in winter)
If the budget is limited at the time of launch
When it is more profitable to buy:The facility operates steadily all year round
Area from 3000 m²
The company has a strategy for digitalization and cost reduction
If you plan to work with the facility for 2 years or more - it is more profitable to buy. If the object is short-term or being tested - it is reasonable to rent a robot for an office or shopping center.
Telemetry and Control: How Numbers Save MoneyThe Waybot Robotics platform provides access to a digital dashboard with real-time access to:
Cartography and cleaning routes
Shift reports
Downtime and active work
Incidents and failures
Cleaning material consumption
This data not only proves cleaning efficiency, but also allows you to decide whether to optimize routes, change schedules or increase workload.
Robots for business: examples of successful payback
Case #1: Business Center, Moscow
Area: 2800 m²
Before implementation: 2 cleaners × 2 shifts = 180,000 ₽/month
After implementation of Waybot robot for 1.4 million ₽
Maintenance: 120,000 ₽/year
Result: 16 months payback, 700,000 ₽/year savings
Case #2: Warehouse complex, Kazan
Area: 5500 m²
Before: 3 people × 50,000 ₽ = 150,000 ₽/month
After: 2 robots × 1.3 million ₽
Maintenance: 20,000 ₽/month
Result: 20 months payback, about 900,000 ₽/year savings
More and more companies are moving away from hiring a janitor to a robot instead of a janitor, converting staff to operators and reducing staff turnover.
- Reduction of cleaning costs by at least 40-50%
- Increased transparency and quality control
- Minimize human error and disruption
- Technology and ESG approach - robots use less water, dispense detergents, run on batteries
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Book a test drive of the cleaning robot -
Conduct diagnostics of current costs -
Calculate savings potential -
Select the right equipment for your application
Conclusion: When will a cleaning robot pay for itself? Faster than you think
Robots are not expensive entertainment, but a practical tool. They:
Reduce costs
Increase transparency
Work without disruption
Pay for themselves in 1.5-2.5 years
And with rising staffing costs, the payback on a business robot is even faster. It's an investment, not an expense.
