This document presents a use case designed to outline a problem that has multiple potential solutions. How did ABZ Innovation’s C10 cleaning drone solve this particular task? You’re about to find out.

The problem

The subject is a factory building whose facade requires cleaning. No exterior cleaning work has been carried out for nearly two years. The dirt is primarily dust, but there are also rust streaks and bird droppings—all of which are visually unappealing. The wall is approximately 13 meters tall, which is too high for a ladder.

Common solutions

• Scaffolding could be erected around the building, allowing for a thorough cleaning. However, procuring and setting up scaffolding is time-consuming—approximately 4 to 8 weeks—which is far too long.

• A boom lift is much quicker to deploy but comes with high rental costs. Its operation requires trained personnel, and due to the height, the work involves a higher degree of risk.

• An industrial climber can begin work quickly, provided there are suitable anchoring points on the roof. On newer buildings, such anchoring points are becoming increasingly rare. In this case, the risk factor for the worker is the highest.

The solution provided by ABZ Innovation

When using a drone for facade cleaning, it is critically important that the cleaning water leaves no stains or streaks and does not damage the building materials. One of the most suitable options for this purpose is osmosis water, produced through a special filtration method called reverse osmosis.

What is osmosis water?
Osmosis water is ultra-pure water from which nearly all dissolved substances—such as salts, minerals, contaminants, and microorganisms—have been removed. During the production process, the water passes through a semi-permeable membrane that filters out unwanted particles. The resulting water:

• Has a contamination level of 0–10 ppm (parts per million), essentially pure H₂O

• Does not conduct electricity

• Is chemically neutral and does not react with any materials

Advantages of osmosis water in facade cleaning

1. Streak-free and spot-free drying
   Since it contains no minerals, osmosis water leaves no lime scale or salt residue on glass or metal surfaces after drying. This is especially important for glass buildings or light-colored facades.

2. Chemical-free cleaning
   Osmosis water has excellent dissolving power on its own, often eliminating the need for chemical detergents. This makes it an eco-friendly option and avoids damage caused by harsh chemicals.

3. Cost-effective operation
   Because detergents aren’t needed and the water doesn’t leave residue, there’s less need for follow-up work (e.g., manual wiping or re-cleaning), resulting in lower labor and material costs.

4. Safer for drone-based application
   The absence of chemicals helps preserve the drone’s spraying system and nozzles and also increases safety for operators and the surrounding environment.

5. Gentle on building materials
   Osmosis water does not corrode metal components, fade painted surfaces, or dissolve silicone or rubber seals.

This technology is particularly well-suited for cleaning high-rise buildings, office towers, shopping malls, and glass or aluminum facades where visual quality, speed, and environmentally responsible operation are top priorities.

During the operation, we also opted for osmosis water. It was pumped from an IBC tank and filtered on-site by a ground-based system.

We activated the high-pressure equipment after raising the drone to a height of about 3 meters, maintaining a distance of approximately 5 meters from the wall. The drone was then directed to the highest point of the targeted wall section, and cleaning began with a 70 cm-wide water stream. We progressed top-down in a scanning pattern. Naturally, more time was spent on areas with bird droppings, but overall, the process maintained a steady pace.

Importantly, the cleaning power of the osmosis water was not limited to direct contact; it also cleaned effectively along its runoff path—this significantly accelerated cleaning of the lower sections. With this method, we achieved a cleaning speed of 300 m²/hour!