If you’ve been quoted $40,000–$80,000 for a commercial cleaning robot, you’re not alone. Capital expenditure on robotics is one of the biggest barriers to adoption — and it’s completely unnecessary.
The problem with buying
When you purchase a robot outright, you’re signing up for more than the sticker price:
- Depreciation — The robot loses value the moment it arrives. Technology moves fast, and today’s model may be outclassed in 18 months.
- Maintenance — Brushes wear down, batteries degrade, sensors need calibration. You’re on the hook for every repair.
- Downtime risk — When your robot is out of action, you’re back to manual cleaning or scrambling for a loaner.
- Software updates — OTA updates, fleet management dashboards, and route optimisation are often subscription extras on top of the purchase price.
How RaaS works
Robot-as-a-Service bundles everything into a simple weekly fee — typically around $300/week for a commercial floor cleaner. That covers:
- Hardware — The robot itself, delivered and installed at your facility.
- Maintenance — All preventive and reactive maintenance, parts included.
- Software — Fleet dashboard, route mapping, OTA updates, and proof-of-clean reports.
- Monitoring — 24/7 remote diagnostics from our Brisbane operations centre.
- Swap guarantee — If your robot can’t be repaired on-site within 24 hours, we swap it.
No capital outlay. No surprise costs. No technology risk.
The numbers
For a 5,000 m² facility currently spending $1,200/week on manual cleaning labour:
| Buy | RaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $55,000 | $0 |
| Weekly cost | ~$120 (maintenance avg) | ~$300 |
| Annual total (Year 1) | $61,240 | $15,600 |
| Includes maintenance | No | Yes |
| Includes monitoring | No | Yes |
| Technology refresh | Your problem | Included |
Over three years, RaaS delivers up to 40% savings versus the combined cost of manual labour — without any capital risk.
Who it’s for
RaaS is ideal for:
- Facilities managers who need predictable operating costs
- Multi-site operators who want to scale without large purchase orders
- Businesses trialling robotics for the first time — zero commitment, real results
Next steps
Curious what RaaS would look like in your facility? Book a free site audit — we’ll walk your floor, map the routes, and give you a custom savings estimate.
Or calculate your ROI now with our online tool.