Photo: HEATHROW AIRPORT Heathrow has launched a fun new way for the public to get involved with the airport: naming its fleet of cleaning robots, or “cobots.”
These high-tech helpers have become familiar faces for passengers and staff alike, and the airport now wants to give each one its own personality with an official name.
Photo: HEATHROW AIRPORTPassengers and the public can submit their ideas until December 15. After that, Heathrow will create a shortlist of the best entries, which will go to a public vote on the airport’s website. The winning names will be assigned to the cobots, each of which will receive a matching name badge.
These cobots are more than just cute companions, as they play a serious role in keeping Heathrow’s terminals spotless. Each robot can clean up to 4,800 square meters a day, roughly the size of eight football pitches, all while recycling water and navigating safely through busy terminals. They work for up to three hours before returning to their docking stations to recharge, then head back out to continue their rounds.
Photo: HEATHROW AIRPORTPassengers most often notice the cobots’ resemblance to a number of popular sci-fi characters like R2-D2 from Star Wars or Doctor Who’s Daleks.
But it’s not only their peculiar appearance that draws attention, as they feature clever mapping technology that lets them weave safely between travelers. This ultimately turns them into a charming and practical part of the airport experience.
Daniel Edwards, Heathrow’s Director of Services, said: “Amidst the hustle and bustle of the airport, our endearing fleet of cobots work diligently to keep our terminals safe and squeaky clean. Now, having achieved ‘icon’ status amongst Heathrow colleagues and passengers, we are excited to invite the public to help us award each cobot its own unique name. Whether it’s a clever pun, a sci-fi tribute or something totally unexpected, we are looking forward to seeing what people come up with.”
The name submission page is live now and will remain open until December 15. A shortlist of the top suggestions will be published on 16 December, with a public vote following shortly after. The final 23 names will be revealed later this year.
Introduced in partnership with Mitie, the cobots represent the largest fleet of autonomous cleaning robots in the UK.
Mitie has been providing cleaning services across Heathrow since 2022, with a team of 850 cleaning and hygiene specialists supported by these innovative machines.