The team has developed two robots, one focused on the floors and one for surface cleaning. Both robots work in tandem with transit cleaning staff to make maintenance more efficient and effective, as well as drive the digital transformation of Industry 4.0 practices by providing new skills in robotics, operations, and maintenance.  

Downer Rail and Transit Systems Project Manager Jason Zhou said the deployment of these robots could transform cleaning operations by completing time-consuming and physically demanding tasks and greatly enhance the productivity of cleaning teams. 

“We see these revolutionary robots being adopted by the rail industry as it faces increasing demand for passenger rail cleanliness post-COVID as well as skilled labour shortages,” he said.  

Downer and IISRI have designed the world’s first rail cleaning robot set – one to clean floors (pictured) and one to clean surfaces.

A design and development collaboration 

The Deakin team, made up of researchers from both IISRI and the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE), Associate Professor Samer Hanoun, Dr Pradeep Herath Mudiyanselage, Mr Chris Larkin, Mr Adrian Grigo, Dr Ahmad Abu Alqumsan, Mr Samuel Gan, Mr Boyd Rosevear, Mr Andrew Miller, Dr Adetokunbo Arogbonlo, Dr Mohammad Rokonuzzaman Pappu, Dr Van Thanh Huynh, is led by IISRI’s Associate Professor Zoran Najdovski. 

Assoc Prof Najdovski said the Autonomous Robot Cleaner (ARC) set was designed and built with IISRI-developed sensing and cleaning technologies to achieve autonomous navigation, static and dynamic obstacle detection, and the detection of hazardous objects and rubbish, helping to keep the environment clean and safe. 

“The ARC floor robot was designed and developed from the ground up to incorporate a custom commercial floor scrubber and omni-directional motion capability. The robot can work under the train seats to target the floor coving and hard to reach areas to autonomously scrub and vacuum the entire train floor,” Assoc Prof Zoran Najdovski said. 

Mr Zhou said the surface cleaning robot focused on the seats and passenger windows and with its steam technology, ensured hygiene and comfort for passengers. 

“The surface cleaning robot’s robotic manipulator has six degrees of freedom allowing it to manoeuvre around poles and handrails, effortlessly cleaning seats and windows, and both robots have 3D environment perception ensuring obstacles are detected and avoided during cleaning,” he said. 

Rail innovation to shape the future 

In 2024, both robots were successfully trialled on Downer maintained passenger fleets. Now, plans are in place in 2025 for the initial operational deployments of these robots, with commercialisation across Australia and the world to follow. This will set a new standard in automated cleaning solutions for the rail and transit industry. 

This is just the start for such innovations. In 2024, the Australian Government announced the National Robotics Strategy with a vision to develop and use robotics and automation technologies to strengthen competitiveness, boost productivity and support local communities.  

“As Australia’s leading rail and transit systems provider, Downer is already focused on productivity and supporting local communities, so of course our robotic offering is also focused on that,” Mr Zhou said. 

“It’s been wonderful to partner with Deakin University to develop these robotic solutions to help showcase the expertise of our nation when it comes to Industry 4.0, innovation and automation.”   

Assoc Prof Najdovski said IISRI hopes to also further explore how robotic solutions can be applied to manufacturing and maintenance space to align with Australia’s national robotic strategy.  

Deakin University and IISRI have worked across the advanced manufacturing and infrastructure areas of rail for over 25 years.    

Last year, Deakin introduced rail-specific micro-credential courses with a focus on both civil and electrical/mechanical systems, to form part of a postgraduate engineering degree. 

About Downer  

Downer is the leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand. Downer’s Rail & Transit Systems business has over 155 years’ rail experience delivering innovative transport solutions and is the leading provider in Australia with expertise in delivering whole-of-life asset management support to customers. Today, they leverage their capabilities to offer rollingstock, infrastructure, rail systems, operation and maintenance, system integration, engineering innovations and digital and data solutions. Find out more at www.downergroup.com/rail