--- title: Floor-Cleaning Automation at Saint-Gobain with Avidbots Neo description: Saint-Gobain saves $30k annually and recovers 2 hours of daily labor by using Avidbots Neo to automate messy floor cleaning, achieving a full ROI within 24 months. image: https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/Neo%202%20Robotic%20Scrubber.png --- [![home](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Canadian%20Robotics%20Council/images/module-icons/House.svg)](https://www.roboticscouncil.ca/) ![arrow](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Canadian%20Robotics%20Council/images/module-icons/left-arrow-canadian.svg) [ CASE STUDIES ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/) # Floor-Cleaning Automation at Saint-Gobain with Avidbots Neo [ Manufacturing ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/manufacturing) [ Large Enterprise (500+ FTE) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/large-enterprise-500-fte) [ United States ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/united-states) [ Financial Performance & Strategy ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/financial-performance-strategy) [ Indoor ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/indoor) [ Fully Automated (lights out) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/fully-automated-lights-out) [ Data Collection ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/data-collection) [ Workplace Safety & Health ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/workplace-safety-health) [ Talent Acquisition & Retention ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/talent-acquisition-retention) [ Software (perception algorithms, analysis tools) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/software-perception-algorithms-analysis-tools) [ Unstructured ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/unstructured) [ Production & Efficiency ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/production-efficiency) [ Mobile (AMRs, AGVs, Drones/UAVs, AUVs, ROVs) ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/mobile-amrs-agvs-drones-uavs-auvs-rovs) [ Cleaning & Maintenance ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/cleaning-maintenance) [ Sensing, Monitoring & Mapping ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/sensing-monitoring-mapping) [ Specialized Applications ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/specialized-applications) [ AI-enabled ](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/tag/ai-enabled) Show More BY: Avidbots Corp | Mar 17, 2026 ![Neo 2 Robotic Scrubber](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Neo%202%20Robotic%20Scrubber.png?width=946&height=710&name=Neo%202%20Robotic%20Scrubber.png) #### AT A GLANCE ###### CLIENT [![Saint-Gobain Logo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20067422/bef72c08-9169-4dc8-b9e4-601b2760db2b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20067422/bef72c08-9169-4dc8-b9e4-601b2760db2b) LOCATION: ###### New York, United States SECTOR: ###### Manufacturing SUPPLIER: ###### Avidbots [![Avidbots](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Avidbots.png?width=180&height=34&name=Avidbots.png)](https://avidbots.com/)   TECHNOLOGY / PRODUCT USED: ######  Avidbots Neo (Fully Autonomous Floor Scrubbing Robot)  TARGETED APPLICATION ###### Automated Industrial Floor Cleaning  LEARN MORE ###### Read The Full Case Study [**Here**](https://avidbots.com/resources/customer-stories/neo-for-industrial-manufacturing-saint-gobain-case-study/) ### Reclaiming skilled labor hours and mitigating safety hazards by automating floor maintenance in a high-traffic industrial facility $30000 Approx. annualized cleaning cost saved  ~24-Month Payback period estimated for a single plant 2 hours Of skilled labor reclaimed daily Week “The Avidbots Neo autonomous floor-scrubber is being used at our facility to eliminate a non-value added task from our production team and improve safety (as our material is lubricious and can create slippery walkways). We chose Avidbots following a successful on-site demonstration in which we were able to prove out their technology and equipment in our industrial environment. Since deploying the unit, we have received excellent customer service and quick responses from [Avidbots].”   **Jeff Williams, Engineering Manager, Saint-Gobain Ceramics/Boron Nitride ** ### The Challenge   **Saint-Gobain’s Boron Nitride plant produces advanced compounds that, while essential for high-tech ceramics, create a "lubricious" powder during manufacturing.** This powder makes floors incredibly slick, creating severe slip-and-fall hazards and potential inhalation risks. Because the environment involves dangerous chemicals and moving heavy machinery, standard custodial contractors were not an option. Consequently, the plant was forced to pull skilled technicians away from high-value production duties for two hours daily to handle cleaning, which had an "adverse effect on production."  ### The Solution   **The plant in Amherst embraced digital technologies and strategic automation, turning to robotic solutions to address their needs. **They knew it wouldn’t be easy, as the plant is not a static environment. The manufacturing floor is a high traffic area, with people and forklifts always on the move. Floor plans change regularly as raw materials arrive and finished goods are prepared for shipping. They had to find a robot that could consistently clean production areas while keeping staff safe.   Exploring several cleaning options, they had difficulty finding a solution that could adequately deal with a modern, dynamic manufacturing space. They continued investigating solutions until they discovered the Avidbots Neo. Designed as an autonomous floor-scrubbing robot for high-traffic commercial and industrial spaces, Neo uses the cutting-edge Avidbots AI Platform and an industry leading suite of sensors to safely deliver a high quality, consistent clean with minimal human intervention. Neo is ruggedly built but surprisingly nimble, able to avoid contact with people and equipment. The proprietary Avidbots AI Platform gives the robot the ability to conduct dynamic planning and avoid obstacles while still getting the job done, no reteaching required. The AI remaps to find alternate paths, even for large obstacles requiring significant deviations from the typical cleaning route. The Neo robots’s AI and constant software updates from the Cloud meanthe robot cleaner improves over time, finding the most efficient means to follow the cleaning plans.    In November 2019, Saint-Gobain piloted Neo in Amherst and, satisfied with the results, put the device into regular operation. Using metrics available through the Avidbots Command Center web-based app, personnel now ensure the robot is used to its full potential. Facilities managers immediately saw productivity gains and more internal accountability for keeping a healthy, safe workplace  ### KEY FEATURES ##### Avidbots AI Platform:   Proprietary software for dynamic path planning and obstacle avoidance in changing environments.  ##### Advanced Sensor Suite:   Industry-leading sensors that detect floor-level obstacles like forklift tines.  ##### Avidbots Command Center:   A web-based app providing transparent metrics, charts, and data for measurable cleaning accountability.  ##### Cloud-Connected Updates:   Continuous software improvements that allow the robot to become more efficient over time. ### RESULTS   **Following a successful pilot in November 2019, Saint-Gobain put Neo into regular operation.** The financial results were clear: by calculating the $40/hour burdened cost of technicians, the facility identified a $30,000 annualized saving for their 3-shift operation. Beyond the money, the safety impact was transformative. The robot consistently removes the slippery powder that once made the plant "dangerous for the uninitiated." Furthermore, the use of the Avidbots Command Center has provided data-driven insights that "flabbergasted" auditors, proving that the facility maintains world-class cleanliness standards without increasing labor costs. 0 Payback Period 0 Annual Savings based on reclaiming cleaning costs across a 3-shift operation.  0 ###### reclaimed daily as Skilled technician labor per shift redirected from cleaning to production 0 ######  Total Area Cleaned in 204 hours ###### Boost morale by shifting technicians from custodial work to production. ###### Reduce slip and fall incidents by removing boron nitride powder from factory walkways. ###### Improve worker safety by capturing loose powder on the floor before it can become an airborne inhalation risk.  ###### Using a variety of sensors, Avidbots Autonomy consistently evaluates real-time incoming data to help robots avoid anyone or anything and stop when unexpected obstacles appear, helping to keep the operating environment safe. ## RELATED CASE 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](https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/waterville-woodcraft-achieves-99-compliance-with-automated-drawer-stapling-using-kinova-link-6) ## **Showcase how you achieved real results** [![Submit My Success Story](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20067422/d7caf0d2-4277-4575-94e2-3fc7d0928d59.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20067422/d7caf0d2-4277-4575-94e2-3fc7d0928d59) [![Get The Case Study Toolkit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20067422/95bc7929-63d0-4761-901d-70d449e415f8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20067422/95bc7929-63d0-4761-901d-70d449e415f8) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Avidbots Corp", "url" : "https://resources.roboticscouncil.ca/author/avidbots-corp" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-17T18:44:38.584Z", "datePublished" : "2026-03-17T18:44:10.000Z", "headline" : "Floor-Cleaning Automation at Saint-Gobain with Avidbots Neo", "image" : [ 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