belgian clean-tech startup ART robotics unveils HELIOS, a fully automated solar panel cleaning service composed of autonomous cleaning robots places on solar panels using drones. by cleaning them, the panels become more efficient, producing more green energy and generating more financial return. 

‘solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, but less so when they are dirty,’ said ART robotics. ‘dust and dirt reduce the performance of solar panels. this results in an important waste of green energy and money.’

HELIOS by art robotics features two parts — the cleaning bot and the drone. the first one is a lightweight robot that can autonomously clean solar panels. it features a traction system that allows the robot to move on inclined surfaces and even cross over to adjacent panels. the robot can navigate autonomously based on accurate position estimation and edge detection. a brush and vacuum combination ensures a high-quality cleaning of the panel surface.

on the other hand, the HELIOS DRONE places the cleaning robots on the solar panels and also retrieves them. the deployment process is also autonomous and happens under supervision in case something goes wrong.

‘but how exactly does it work?’ ART robotics explains. ‘a customer simply orders the service online. the order is scheduled and a helios system is delivered. the helios system consists of a small cleaning robot and a drone to place it on the panels. the entire deployment process is completely automated and happens under the supervision of the delivery person. once the cleaning robots have been dropped off, supervision is no longer necessary.’

the HELIOS solar panel cleaning robot is currently seeking funding on kickstarter here.

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