Commercial Laundry Robotics

If you haven't thought about commercial laundry robotics in your plant, the time is now.

With every technological advancement, people and companies fall under one of five categories in the technology adoption life cycle:

Innovators
Early adopters
Early majority
Late majority
Laggards

It's a continuum along which your business falls, and you don't want to be a laggard. In other ways, you don't want to wait so long to adapt that you're behind all of your competitors.

Think about artificial intelligence (AI), for example. The common wisdom you'll often hear is "start using AI now, because if you don't you'll fall behind your peers."

The same could be said of the commercial laundry industry. As the industry moves into the future, many are leaving behind the old way of doing things: paper and pencil documentation, manual data collection, constant worker retention challenges, lack of visibility, etc.

For years, commercial laundry operators have grappled with workforce challenges ranging from employee retention to employee engagement. Robotics present an opportunity to mitigate some of those challenges.

And while there have been some technological fads over the years that have come and gone, robotics for industrial capacities certainly isn't one.

In a report last year, the International Federation of Robotics noted that a record total of robots were operating in factories worldwide, reaching nearly 4.3 million units. In IFR's World Robotics 2024 report, it noted annual installations exceed half a million units for the third consecutive year.

Furthermore, according to one estimate, the global laundry folding robots market is set to grow by $36 billion over the next few years.

While the aforementioned is not just limited to the commercial laundry sector, it illustrates a key point: robots are here to stay. In many cases, no matter which industry you're in, your competitors are probably using robots on their plant floor — or at least starting to think about it.

The integration of robotics into commercial laundry operations began as a response to growing demands for efficiency, consistency, and labor support. Early automation efforts focused on mechanized washers and dryers, followed by conveyor systems and folding machines. These innovations laid the foundation for more sophisticated robotics.

While not technically a robotic solution, we can go back to the 1700s to the advent of the box mangle, a manual solution for pressing laundry. While not automated or robotic in any sense, the concept of using machinery to process laundry has been around for longer than you might think.

Fast forward to the 21st century: robotics has steadily gained traction as technology has matured and labor shortages have intensified. In recent years, the commercial laundry industry has seen its adoption of robotics grow, especially on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting staffing challenges.

However, for some commercial laundries, cost can be a major roadblock (one thing we are aiming to solve here with Spindle Robotics).

Today’s robotics in commercial laundries are more intelligent, versatile, and reliable than ever. Key advancements include:

AI-Powered Vision Systems

Sight is obviously a pivotal aspect of commercial laundry work: you need to be able to see what it is you're picking up. Modern robots can now recognize fabric types, colors, and sizes in real time, enabling more accurate sorting and folding.

Precision Robotics

Robotic arms with fine-motor control can delicately handle linens, garments, and towels without damage.

Integrated Automation Platforms

Robotics now work in sync with conveyor belts, RFID tracking, and laundry management software for seamless workflow.

Machine Learning Algorithms

Systems improve over time through data collection and predictive analytics, optimizing task performance. In other words, the more they do, the more they learn, and their effectiveness grows over time.

These technological developments have made robotics more accessible and valuable to laundries of all sizes. However, innovation continues in the laundry robotics space. There are many challenges robotics manufacturers are working to solve, including the challenge of folding of unpredictable shapes.

Implementing robotics in commercial laundries offers a wide range of benefits, including:

Increased Throughput

Robots operate continuously and consistently, reducing bottlenecks and increasing production capacity.

Labor Optimization

With skilled labor shortages across the industry, robotics fill critical roles, allowing human workers to focus on supervision and quality control.

Improved Quality and Consistency

Robots deliver uniform results in folding, sorting, and handling, reducing rework and customer complaints.

Operational Cost Savings

Over time, robotics reduce labor costs, minimize waste, and optimize energy and water usage through smarter processes.

Safety Enhancements

Robots can take over repetitive, strenuous, or hazardous tasks, minimizing injury risks and improving workplace ergonomics.

Automated Sorting Systems

Function: Sort soiled linens by type, size, or color.
Technology: Uses RFID tags, barcodes, or vision systems.

Automated Loading Systems

Function: Feed linens into machines like tunnel washers or ironers.
Technology: Robotic arms or suction devices handle items and load them with precision.
Benefit: Reduces strain on workers and increases throughput.

Folding Robots

Function: Automatically fold towels, sheets, and garments.
Technology: Mechanical arms and sensors measure and fold to spec

Automated Drying and Finishing Systems

Function: Transfer linens to dryers and then to finishing equipment (like ironers or folders).
Integration: Often part of a conveyor-based system with little manual handling.

Robotic Pick-and-Place Systems

Function: Move items between stages (e.g., from washer to dryer, or dryer to folder).
Technology: Robotic arms with vacuum grips or clamps.
Advantage: Seamless transition between processes, especially in fully automated plants.

Inspection Robots

Function: Check for stains, tears, or foreign objects.
Technology: Vision systems with AI-powered image recognition.
Benefit: Added layer of quality control

Automated Bagging and Packaging

Function: Bag folded items or wrap finished products for delivery.
Benefit: Improves hygiene and speeds up the packing process.

Conveyor & AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) Integration

Function: Transport laundry carts or items across the facility.
Example: AGVs replace traditional laundry trolleys for moving loads between departments.

Robotics is transforming key operations in commercial laundries. Notable use cases include:

Sorting and Classification

Robotic systems with visual recognition can sort items by size, color, or type before they reach the wash floor.

Folding and Stacking

Automated folders equipped with robotic arms can neatly fold towels, sheets, and garments at high speeds.

Loading and Unloading Machines

Robots can be programmed to load/unload washers, dryers, or finishing equipment, saving manual labor time.

Transportation and Material Handling

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can transport laundry carts throughout the facility, streamlining internal logistics.

Quality Control

AI-enhanced robots can inspect for damage, stains, or wear, ensuring only quality items are returned to customers.

Robotics is playing a pivotal role in modernizing commercial laundry operations. From streamlining repetitive tasks to improving quality and efficiency, robots can help facilities stay competitive and meet growing service demands.

As technology continues to evolve, robotics will become an even more integral part of smart, data-driven laundry operations—offering a future where high performance, cost control, and employee safety go hand-in-hand.

With that said, robotics don't have to be solely the province of larger operations.

Going forward, as costs continue to come down for robotics solutions geared toward the commercial laundry industry, operations of all sizes can leverage the power of robotics.

Just as other technological advancements became accessible to the wider population — think things like automobiles, refrigerators, and, later on, laptops and cellphones — commercial laundry robotics are becoming more cost-friendly.

Here at Spindle, that's exactly what we're trying to do: make robotics accessible to more people in the commercial laundry industry so they can take advantage of their productivity-enhancing benefits.