The Tennant X4 ROVR is designed from the ground-up to be an optimized robotic floor scrubber. It addresses the problem of labor shortages and provides a solution that greatly reduces cleaning effort while improving quality, productivity, and consistency.
Mobile autonomous robots are complex devices. However, the cleaning operator is often a low-skill laborer with little training. Therefore, the X4 ROVR must provide autonomous performance that can be mapped and initiated by the average cleaner. Robotic operation is programmed by simply guiding the machine over the desired route while a map is recorded for playback. To make this step easy, the X4 ROVR includes patented technology to intuitively provide propel and turning assistance to the operator. This benefit is guided only by natural touch and turning motions – there are no extra knobs or switches to learn and actuate.
Customer VOC led to the design of easily accessible service items with on-board instructional graphics to guide users through both daily and “Weekly +” maintenance activities. Better than a misplaced manual, these pictograms and color-coded labels help prevent costly machine downtime while improving machine performance and customer satisfaction.
Rather than feeling like they have been replaced by a robot, workers are able to feel that they now have an “employee” reporting to them. To make managing their new “employee” easier, operators can use the robot app or simply look for the light beacon on the X4 ROVR to communicate its current state as viewed from a distance.
The beacon will inform the supervising worker whether the autonomous route has been completed (green), assistance is needed (flashing red), training a route (blue), or cleaning autonomously (slow flashing blue).
The aesthetic design emphasizes technology through the central black bezel that captures the prominent “Black Pearl” 3D camera that is framed and recessed for protection. The dynamic side surface indents provide visual excitement plus functionally allow the rear-mounted sensors to have clear vision to the front corners of the machine. Color is utilized to draw the operator’s attention to or away from certain components.
Yellow and blue touch points signal interface points to aid in training and ease of use. The lower guard prevents debris from clogging the machine while protecting expensive sensors from damage. It is painted black to look rugged yet de-emphasize its mass.
Category:IndustrialYear:2024Designers:John Ickes, Grant Leacox, Andrew Verhasselt, Tou Yia Thao, Tennant Global Industrial Design, Tennant Company, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USAManufacturer:Tennant Company, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA
