Achieving Late-Night Unmanned Station Cleaning with Scrubber 50

Article credit to: SoftBank Robotics (Translated from: https://www.softbankrobotics.com/jp/product/scrubber50/nagasaki-station/)

Background Information

Facility: JR Kyushu Nagasaki Station

(Cleaning Services for the Station Concourse: JR Kyushu Service Support, Ltd.)

In September 2022, JR Kyushu’s Nagasaki Station saw the opening of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen. Along with the Shinkansen’s inauguration, the station underwent a renovation, and JR Kyushu Service Support, Ltd. took on the responsibility of cleaning the station concourse. By introducing the fully automated floor cleaning robot, the “Scrubber 50 Pro,” they achieved late-night unmanned cleaning of the expansive station concourse, significantly reducing the workload on employees. The ability to recycle wastewater generated during cleaning, eliminating the need for maintenance such as water supply during operation, has been highly praised for its environmental friendliness.

Interviewees:

1. Maintaining the renovated station’s beauty

— Can you tell us about the cleaning operations at JR Kyushu’s Nagasaki Station?

Yoshioka:

Our company is a group company of Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) that undertakes station management for JR Kyushu and Fukuoka City Subway, as well as cleaning services for railway vehicles, stations, and buildings owned by JR Kyushu. On September 23, 2022, with the opening of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen connecting Takeo Onsen Station (Saga Prefecture) and Nagasaki Station (Nagasaki Prefecture), we were contracted to clean the station concourse as part of the renovation of JR Kyushu’s Nagasaki Station.

— What led you to introduce the “Scrubber 50 Pro”?

Yoshioka:

With the Shinkansen opening and the station’s renewal, we expect an increase in tourists. As the company responsible for cleaning, we wanted users to always find the station clean and pleasant.

In stations of similar scale to Nagasaki Station, concourse cleaning is typically done late at night after the last train, using ride-on cleaning robots, with daytime cleaning staff patrolling to clean necessary spots. The cleaning industry is no exception to the labor shortages and rising labor costs faced by various industries. Anticipating similar challenges, we decided to introduce cleaning robots to maintain cleaning quality while reducing employee workload. Among various cleaning robots, we chose the “Scrubber 50 Pro” for its ability to clean large areas fully automatically and its wastewater recycling capability during cleaning.

2. Significantly reducing late-night work hours and burdens with fully automated cleaning solutions

— How do you use the “Scrubber 50 Pro”?

Suzuki:

We clean the station concourse after the last train. Cleaning staff move the “Scrubber 50 Pro” from its storage location to the cleaning start point after the last train, then simply press the start button to begin fully automated cleaning of the designated area. 

Suzuki:

While the “Scrubber 50 Pro” is cleaning, staff patrol the concourse to collect large pieces of trash like paper, cans, and bottles that might obstruct the robot. They can then rest in the break room until the morning. Before the first train, they return to the concourse to retrieve the “Scrubber 50 Pro” from the cleaning endpoint and complete the cleaning process.

The concourse, being very large at 1,684 square meters, is cleaned in halves on odd and even days. Even half the area is over 800 square meters, which would require 2-3 employees to clean through the night manually, so this solution is extremely helpful.

3. Detecting obstacles and avoid collisions – Stable operation in an unmanned station at night

— Does operating the “Scrubber 50 Pro” in an unmanned station at night raise any concerns?

Yoshioka:

The station concourse has signs and guide rails, but the sensors on the “Scrubber 50 Pro” detect and avoid obstacles, allowing it to operate stably without collisions. As a scrubber type, it requires water for cleaning, but its ability to recycle wastewater into clean water eliminates the concern of running out of water mid-cleaning. This feature allows us to start the cleaning process at night and leave it until morning, greatly reducing the burden on employees.

4. Eco-friendly wastewater recycling feature

Yoshioka:

We also focus on the “Scrubber 50 Pro’s” ability to recycle wastewater and reduce water usage by approximately 80%. JR Kyushu Service Support aims to contribute to vibrant communities and rich lives in the Kyushu area through our business. Kyushu is a region with abundant nature, with mountains and seas, and we consider it our mission to protect this rich natural environment. This aligns with our company’s philosophy.

5. Promoting DX (Digital Transformation) in facility cleaning through the introduction of “Scrubber 50 Pro”

— What are your future goals for cleaning as JR Kyushu Service Support?

Yoshioka:

As mentioned earlier, the cleaning industry faces various challenges such as labor shortages and rising labor costs due to declining birthrates and an aging population. In this context, we believe that cleaning DX (digital transformation) is essential to improve cleaning quality and efficiency. Based on the results of introducing the “Scrubber 50 Pro” at JR Kyushu Nagasaki Station, we plan to consider using cleaning robots and other technologies for cleaning DX in various facilities we manage.

Company Overview

JR Kyushu Nagasaki Station

Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Total Cleaning Area: 1,684㎡ (Station Concourse Only)

Cleaning Services Provider: JR Kyushu Service Support, Ltd.

In conjunction with the opening of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, which connects Takeo Onsen Station (Saga Prefecture) and Nagasaki Station (Nagasaki Prefecture), JR Kyushu’s Nagasaki Station was renovated on September 23, 2022. JR Kyushu Service Support, Ltd. was contracted to clean the station concourse as part of this renovation.

Responsible Agency:

Kukan Inc.