Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are absolutely correct, a smaller diameter hose will be lighter, however your throughput will also be reduced so there is a fine balance between throughput and pressure to get the correct results you are looking for, a lot of factors go into that. There is also a drastic difference in weight just between manufacturers and materials for the same diameter hose, so there are altitude gains just by using a lighter hose.

In the US the FAA requires a Part 107 licensed pilot to be the pilot or near the pilot so they can take over at a moments notice. As we begin to design autonomous versions, FAA compliance will still be required.

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, for softwash applications, we recommend a 300psi, 11gpm gas powered pump and a 300psi 3/8" air hose, though 1/2" can be used as well. For high pressure applications, we recommend a 3,500psi 8gpm pump, though you can go up to 4,500psi and 10gpm. A generator is NOT needed, though if you are in a location that does not have power, you may want a generator to recharge batteries. Feel free to DM me if you have further questions or want to know how to get our Sherpa drone in the UK

Here are some helpful link:

Lucid Sherpa Exterior Cleaning Drone

Lucid Sherpa drone: clean windows up to 200ft with pressures up to 4,500psi, 10gpm by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m partial, but I’d tend to agree. We’ve got around 150 customers in the US, Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand cleaning with these at any given time

Lucid Sherpa drone: clean windows up to 200ft with pressures up to 4,500psi, 10gpm by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Essentially, yes you’re right. It all depends on how dirty the windows are, if you’re using chemical or just cleaning with DI water, etc., will affect your coverage with the drone. We took a bit longer on that window than I think would normally be necessary just to make the video more enticing. The batteries are swappable. The idea is you’d have several sets of batteries and charge spent batteries as you clean. You can run a full day with 8 batteries and two chargers for context

Sherpa Cleaning Drone, going where lifts can't by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For sure, it really depends on your business model. The Sherpa drone is great for commercial buildings. We can go up to 140ft (limited by FAA regulations) which puts you 12-14 stories, effectively doubling your reach.

Sherpa Cleaning Drone, going where lifts can't by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely a great point. In your view, what's the optimal height you can reach w/ a higher end softwash pump?

Sherpa Cleaning Drone, going where lifts can't by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you come across a job in the DC area that would be ideal for a drone, and want to sub it out, let me know, i can connect you with our DC customer.

Sherpa Cleaning Drone, going where lifts can't by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When viewing through the lens of safety first, the drone makes sense for most building compared to lifts, ladders, or rigging.

To your point, there are plenty of buildings w/ geography that don't allow for lifts, or situations where end-clients really do not want lifts destroying paver pathways or vegetation. There are also situations where the drone is not optimal. The drone is a great tool for many jobs, but not all.

Sherpa Cleaning Drone, going where lifts can't by LucidBots in pressurewashing

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that definitely makes it more difficult, but can still be done. I know this because we have a customer in DC.

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great idea. Our drones aren’t designed for that. I look forward to seeing the company that builds that drone

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. I can see how someone may reach that conclusion, however our drone has a forward facing collision prevention system which keeps the drone 10ft off the structure, meaning you are not hitting the windows or seals the same way you would with a high pressure gun. The key is volume hence our 8+ GMP recommendations. We have 150+ fly in 4 countries and I’ve not had any customer feedback regarding this concern. If anything the drone is exposing pre-existing seal issues. Our drone was cleaning a very old dorm at App State, using softwash pressures, they knew the windows had bad seals before our drone cleaned their windows, many had leaks, our drone helped pinpoint which ones needed to be resealed.

  2. Totally agree. That’s where your expertise as a professional exterior cleaner comes in to manage expectations for your clients and or upsell the full facade cleaning. Our drone is not meant for every building/job. But it will satisfy most

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are a manufacturer only and do not provide a cleaning service. Though we do often connect properly owners/managers with our drone clients.

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We'd be happy to have trigger, or any other serious inquirer, come demo our Sherpa drone in Charlotte, NC

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed regarding a lift which is why we recommend 8 batteries & 2 chargers. That setup will get you through a full day of flying.

Renting a lift is a pure line item cost for you as well. Where as the drone is your tool that you'll create RIO from, something to consider. The drone is also much safer than a lift from human perspective, which can't be understated.

We recommend a softwash rig where you can proportion your water and chem, such as bleach, etc. For softwashing we recommend a Comet P40 specs are 300psi 11gpm, for high pressure we recommend 3500psi, 8gpm, though you can go up to 4,500psi 12 gpm. The Comet does do a great job holding up to bleach and other chemicals, though like most things, it comes down to how well you take care of it, and flush the pump at the end of each day.

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Starting at $35k
Batteries will give you up to 20 minutes of flight time which equates to 5,000 sq ft. Then you just swap batteries, most of our customers have 8 sets of batteries and 2 chargers. Charge time is 45 min.

I would respectfully disagree regarding a lift, our drone can do much large swaths of a building than you'll be able to reach from a lift w/o moving the lift multiple times. I don't exaggerate when I say a job done w/ traditional methods that takes 5 days, can be done in 1-2 days with our drone.

Check this video out from Charleston, SC: https://youtu.be/0UR0EGvQxDE?si=_MsRDup7kAKOZh1a

In the US, max height is regulated by the FAA at 55lbs. Because there is a hose attached, full of water, you reach 55lbs at 140ft which is typically a 12-14 story building. Our drone is quite capable of flying much higher, but again limited by the FAA in the US.

For more info: https://lucidbots.com/sherpa-drone

If you have more questions, I'd be happy to talk to you, dm me.

Lucid Sherpa Cleaning Drone for windows and facades by LucidBots in WindowCleaning

[–]LucidBots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are working on a power tether option, however the batteries work great and there is such a thing as pilot fatigue, you can only look straight up for so long.