Can a cleaning robot use an elevator on its own? A CenoBots robot can move independently between floors when connected to a suitable building system that supports this function. If the building does not support this function, staff use the elevator to move the robot. Therefore, autonomous movement between floors is not available by default in every facility; it depends on the specific installation and building infrastructure.
In multi-storey facilities, commercial cleaning robots are not selected based solely on floor area. You need to plan work zones, movement between floors, battery life and the time available for cleaning.
What happens when a facility has multiple floors but the robot has limited operating time?
When a robot needs to clean multiple floors, battery life determines how long it can perform tasks before recharging. Therefore, you should compare the surface area and the time required to clean individual zones with the selected model’s operating time.
Operating time varies by model:
| Model | Maximum operating time |
| L3 | up to 4 hours |
| L4 | up to 4.5 hours |
| L50 | up to 6 hours |
| S5 | 5–7 hours |
| SP50 | up to 13 hours |
Operating time represents only one part of the calculation. The surface area, layout, operating mode and conditions within the facility affect the duration of a specific task. Therefore, battery life alone does not automatically indicate how many floors a particular model can clean during one shift.
How do you organise cleaning when one robot needs to cover multiple floors?
If one robot needs to clean multiple floors, you can assign separate zones and operating schedules to each level. When the robot cannot move autonomously between floors, staff move it to the next floor. If the workload exceeds the available time, you can divide the cleaning across several time slots or use multiple robots.
The robot can clean priority zones first, while staff can schedule less demanding areas for other time slots. Large facilities can use several robots, especially when different floors have different floor coverings or require different types of cleaning.
You should therefore adapt the operating plan to the actual surface area of each floor, the periods when the space is available for cleaning and the method used to move the robot between floors.
The safe use of autonomous robots requires organisations to coordinate their movements and tasks with the working environment and employee interactions. EU-OSHA addresses this aspect in its guidance on advanced robotics and automation.
How do you choose a CenoBots robot for a multi-storey building?
You should choose a CenoBots model based on the surface area, layout, passage width, flooring type and task on each level, rather than the number of floors. The L3, L4 and L50 wash and dry hard floors, the S5 performs dry sweeping, while the SP50 handles vacuuming and targeted cleaning in specific zones.
A multi-storey facility therefore does not need to use the same model on every floor. A floor with narrow corridors may require a different solution from a large open area, while carpeted zones require a different task from areas with hard floors.
The L3 suits narrow and complex zones, the L4 suits medium-sized commercial areas, while the L50 suits large, open hard-floor areas. The S5 removes dust and loose debris, while the SP50 performs vacuuming and targeted cleaning.
Can a cleaning robot use an elevator on its own? – FAQ
Does the robot need to map the area again after staff move it to another floor?
No, provided that the robot has already mapped that floor and staff have configured it for operation. If the robot needs to clean a new floor or zone autonomously for the first time, it must map the area beforehand. Therefore, physically moving the robot to another floor does not mean that it needs to create a new map every time.
Can the robot move from one floor to another via a ramp instead of an elevator?
It depends on the ramp and the technical capabilities of the specific model. The incline, width, thresholds, surface and other route characteristics must remain within the limits that the robot can navigate safely. Therefore, you must assess autonomous movement via a ramp for the specific model and location instead of assuming that it works in every building.
Does staff need special training to move the robot between floors?
Yes. Staff who operate the robot should understand its basic commands and know how to move it correctly between work zones. Training covers starting and stopping tasks, monitoring the robot’s status and responding to warnings or situations that require staff intervention.
Can the robot work unsupervised at night on its assigned floor?
Yes, the robot can autonomously perform a predefined task in a mapped zone without an operator remaining present. However, you should organise night-time operation according to the conditions within the specific facility, cleaning routes and other activities taking place in the area. Autonomous operation on one floor does not automatically include autonomous movement to the next floor.
Multiple floors do not have to make cleaning more complex.
The right model, clearly defined zones and a smart operating schedule can connect the entire facility into one organised cleaning system.
Let us find the right CenoBots solution for your facility.
About the author:
Milja Tonić – SEO Content Strategist & Copywriter
Milja Tonić is an SEO Content Strategist and Copywriter who specialises in creating expert content on facility management, professional maintenance of commercial facilities and the automation of cleaning processes.
Through research, SEO strategy and original writing, she develops content on professional hygiene, facility management and the use of autonomous cleaning robots in various business environments.
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