10,000 Robotic Floor Scrubbers in the field: what this milestone says about the state of cleaning automation

Tennant has recently passed a major milestone: the sale of our 10,000th autonomous floor scrubber. That number speaks volumes. But it also speaks as a clear indicator of how far robotic cleaning has come—and how central it has become to facility operations across industries worldwide.

From warehouses and shopping centers to airports and schools, organizations are turning to robotic cleaning machines to solve real-world challenges like labor shortages, inconsistent cleaning, and increasing hygiene expectations.

“Selling 10,000 robotic scrubbers is a major milestone—not just for Tennant, but for robotic cleaning adoption overall,” said Dave Huml, president and CEO of Tennant Company.

The Growth of Cleaning Automation

The cleaning robot market grew by nearly 24% in the last year alone, reaching $17.47 billion. But this growth isn’t just about more machines being available; it’s about more facility managers actively choosing cleaning automation as a practical, scalable solution. In fact, robotic cleaning has moved from concept to cornerstone, becoming a vital part of daily operations in facilities across the globe.

This shift has a lot to do with the evolution of these machines over the past several years; indeed, robotic floor scrubbers have become easier to use, more adaptable to different environments, and better equipped to work alongside teams—not in place of them.

For instance, many models now include built-in reporting and analytics, helping teams track performance and support audit readiness without adding administrative work.

[This milestone] signals a clear shift with customers: we’ve moved past the wait-and-see era. Scalable robotic cleaning programs deliver real results, customers are choosing Tennant for robotic cleaning, and this is only the beginning.”
— Dave Huml, President and CEO of Tennant Company .

Tennant’s Autonomous Cleaning Machines timeline

Our robotics journey started in 2018 and has continued to evolve in response to customer needs:

• 2018 – T7AMR: Our first autonomous scrubber, designed for large commercial spaces.
• 2020 – T380AMR: A more compact option, built to navigate tight and narrow spaces.
• 2021 – T16AMR: Developed specifically for logistics and manufacturing environments.
• 2024 – X4 ROVR: The first purpose-built scrubber in our portfolio for small to mid-sized spaces, launched in partnership with Brain Corp.
• 2025 – X6 ROVR: The bigger brother of the X4 ROVR, designed to deliver maximum cleaning coverage with minimal oversight.
Note: While the X6 ROVR launched in the US market in 2025, customers in EMEA can expect availability in 2026. Stay tuned!

Each machine builds on the lessons of the last—bringing stronger navigation, more cleaning power, and better integration into day-to-day operations.

How Support Drives Successful Robotic Adoption

While the autonomous floor scrubber’s technology has come a long way, the human side of adoption remains just as important. We regularly hear from customers that having help during implementation—training staff, optimizing routes, monitoring early performance—can be the difference between success and frustration.

That’s why we treat robotics as a long-term program, not just a product. Selling 10,000 units is meaningful, but we know it only matters if those machines are delivering real value.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to Tennant’s continued focus on delivering innovation that’s both forward-thinking and field-proven. Our AMR solutions aren’t just about new technology—they’re about helping customers solve real operational challenges with tools designed expressly for the scenarios they deal with on a day-to-day basis.”
— John Ickes, Director of Design and Innovation at Tennant Company

What’s Next for Cleaning Robots

As expectations for cleaning outcomes continue to rise and as staffing remains a challenge, automation is likely to play an even bigger role. The question is no longer whether robotic cleaning can work—but how best to make it work in your environment.

If you're evaluating options or planning your next steps, we've made it easy to explore what’s possible with robotic cleaning in our online evaluation.

Discover our full AMR range and reach out to learn more about these revolutionary cleaning machines or schedule a demonstration.