Danish startup O-Robotics is developing an autonomous mobile robot designed to clean and maintain paved areas without the use of chemicals. The robot, capable of operating 24/7, removes weeds, algae, leaves, snow, and ice using mechanical brushes. Initially aimed at commercial spaces such as theme parks, the project has secured support from the Odense Robotics StartUp Fund, a Danish business incubator for robotics innovation.
Denmark alone has 2.5 billion square meters of paved areas, much of which is currently maintained manually. O-Robotics aims to address this challenge with a sustainable solution that aligns with urban maintenance needs and global environmental goals. The company’s founder, Alf Olsen, built the prototype without formal robotics training. Olsen highlights the eco-friendly design of the robot, which eliminates the need for chemicals or heat by relying solely on mechanical action.
The startup’s potential customer base includes over 5,000 EU-certified sustainable locations, with strong interest already reported from Danish theme parks, zoos, museums, and municipalities. Early adopters are set to begin testing the robot once the prototype is completed. To accelerate development, O-Robotics plans to refine the robot’s algorithms in real-world scenarios, enabling immediate improvements based on operational feedback.
O-Robotics is currently developing the robot at the Danish Technological Institute’s robotics incubator, where the team benefits from access to advanced technical support and Denmark’s robotics network. Olsen expressed the value of the incubator’s resources, including mentorship and proximity to industry experts, as the startup prepares for its next growth phase.
The company, comprising a team of 10 professionals with expertise in robotics, software, and sustainability, is seeking further investment to expand its operations. The AMR-Sweeper is positioned as a tool to support sustainable urban development, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 for sustainable cities and communities.
