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The first robotic-armed, window-cleaning robot, Ozmo, has made its debut outside a New York City skyscraper, according to a joint announcement from Skyline Robotics, The Durst Organization and Palladium Window Solutions.
The Skyline Robotics robot will be tasked with maintaining the windows of a 45-story Class A office tower at 1113 Sixth Avenue, owned and managed by The Durst Organization. The Durst Organization is recognized for spearheading the transformation of the Bryant Park neighborhood into a thriving business hub.
Currently, The Durst tower is the only location where Ozmo is employed.
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“New York City is world-renowned for its skyscrapers and an exceptionally skilled labor force,” Nick Durst, senior analyst at The Durst Organization, said. “The Durst Organization’s investment in Skyline and implementation of Ozmo is driving the future of the window cleaning industry to make the work safer and more efficient, while creating new opportunities for window cleaners.”
Ozmo’s introduction comes at a time when the window cleaning industry faces a growing labor shortage. According to Zippia, an online job resource, of the approximately 12,244 window cleaners currently employed in the U.S., 75 percent are over the age of 40, and only 9 percent between the ages of 20 and 30.
Equipped with artificial intelligence and advanced robotics, Ozmo is reported to clean windows three times faster than a traditional window cleaner, delivering consistent, high-quality results and removing workers from potentially hazardous environments.
“Together with our partners Palladium Window Solutions and The Durst Organization, Skyline Robotics is changing centuries of tradition and the landscape of Manhattan forever with our advanced technology,” Skyline Robotics CEO Michael Brown said. “We’re delivering the future of façade maintenance as Ozmo and human window cleaners work in unison to protect the health of buildings faster and safer than existing solutions.”
Palladium Window Solutions, a leader in high-rise window cleaning throughout New York City, expressed its commitment to innovation.
“We are committed to driving innovation and adopting new technology that works with our field staff toward a collaborative future,” Palladium Window Solutions President Jason Dove said. “This New York City rollout using cutting-edge technology showcases that the industry is supporting this technology, which has been approved for usage by the New York State Department of Labor. We look forward to being part of this groundbreaking advancement in human-assisted robotics technology.”
Ozmo | Skyline Robotics
Though Ozmo operates autonomously, a human operator is required to oversee its function.
According to 32BJ SEIU, the labor union representing window cleaners, no jobs are at risk, and union members will supervise the robots. However, it is too early to assess the broader industry impact, given that Ozmo is currently deployed in just one building.
“We’re working with Durst to make sure our members are well trained and equipped to oversee the implementation of this new technology,” Denis Johnston, 32BJ Director of the New York Metro Commercial Division, said in a statement.
Ozmo is off to a promising start, though there’s still work to be done before its progress can be fully evaluated.
“Everyone is happy with operations at this time. We still have a few windows to clean but it’s giving tenants a new experience seeing a robot outside of building rather than a human,” Ross Blum, Skyline Robotics president and chief operating officer, said.
A Skyline Robotics spokesperson revealed that the company expects to deliver more robots, particularly since Durst owns many buildings.
“We have a lot of ongoing conversations at the moment with other regions within the United States,” Blum said. “I’ve done trips down to Florida, Chicago, San Francisco, LA Houston, and we’re evaluating those opportunities currently, so we haven’t picked the second US market.”
Future deployments for Ozmo robots are planned for London in partnership with Principle Cleaning Services beginning in 2025, and the company has secured patents in Japan and Singapore as part of its global expansion.
Ozmo is U.S. patent-approved and was deployed after meeting all regulatory requirements and undergoing rigorous testing.
According to Blum, Skyline Robotics envisions a future where its robots do more than just multiply in numbers. The company’s goal is to “own the facade,” by equipping robots with additional cameras and sensors to collect data. This data will enable building owners to enhance their assets, while also helping to identify optimal locations and functionalities for the robots,
The Durst Organization, founded in 1915, owns some of New York’s most iconic skyscrapers, including One Bryant Park, One World Trade Center, 151 West 42nd Street, and 1133 Avenue of the Americas. The company is the owner, manager, and builder of 13 million square feet of Manhattan office towers and over 3 million square feet of residential rental properties.
