Linnakangas School, Kempele: Setting new standards thanks to robot technology

Autonomous cleaning meets educational added value: at the Linnakangas School in Finland, Wetrok's Marvin cleaning robot – affectionately known as “Martti” – ensures greater cleanliness, efficiency, and recognition for cleaning work.

Karin Zenker

Published   | Reading time 10

Welcome, «Martti»!

After a successful trial period, the robot was permanently integrated into the cleaning team and immediately given a name: Martti. This makes Linnakangas School the first school in the region to use robot technology in its daily cleaning routine, giving it pioneer status. In addition to the gyms, Martti also cleans hallways and common areas – sometimes autonomously, sometimes manually. When children are running through the corridors, the cleaning team takes control; during quieter times, the robot works independently.

“I taught it the cleaning routes for many areas. When it's busy, we just take it with us and clean together,” says Heikkala. This creates an intelligent collaboration between humans and machines – flexible, safe, and efficient.

A robot as a team member

In the municipality of Kempele, not far from Oulu, stands the Linnakangas School – a modern educational facility with a kindergarten, preschool, and comprehensive school. Over 1,100 children learn here, looked after by around 120 employees.

With hundreds of little feet scurrying through the hallways every day, barefoot, cleanliness is not a minor issue but a basic requirement. The school is a shoe-free zone. Children move around in socks, so hygiene and floor care are safety-relevant issues.

Daily cleaning instead of weekly compromise

Before Martti, the sports halls were only cleaned once a week – with noticeable consequences: dust, dirt, and slippery floors. Today, everything is different.

Cleaning staff member Annika Heikkala used the teach-and-repeat function to teach the robot a 25-minute cleaning cycle. Now Martti autonomously cleans the entire 1,200 m² sports hall every day in just 40 minutes.

While Martti takes care of the floors, Heikkala concentrates on more demanding tasks such as changing rooms and sanitary areas – a clear increase in efficiency and job satisfaction.

When technology sets a precedent

With Robomatic Marvin, the municipality of Kempele has shown how robotics and cleaning can go hand in hand – for greater cleanliness, efficiency, and appreciation.

Martti is more than just a cleaning robot. He is a team player, learning partner, and ambassador for a new generation of cleaning.

“Marvin is part of our team! He ensures better standards, productivity, satisfaction, and recognition. We can't imagine our work without him anymore.”
– Marjo Rauma

Cleanliness meets sustainability

Martti not only ensures shiny floors, but also sustainable improvements:

  • More frequent cleaning without additional staff

  • Lower energy consumption thanks to precise route planning

  • Increased occupational safety for the cleaning team

  • Strengthening the professional image of cleaning staff

Marvin's impact extends far beyond cleaning: the children watch with fascination as the robot cleans the hallways – an example of how technology can create appreciation and awareness. Linnakangas School combines everything that modern cleaning is all about: innovation, humanity, and responsibility.

“Marvin is a flexible team member. Sometimes he works independently, for example in the gyms, and sometimes he works together with our cleaning staff. This hybrid application model fits our needs perfectly.”
Marjo Rauma
Linnakangas School

Robomatic Marvin - More than a Robot

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