Snowbotix
Outdoor
- Runtime
- 6 h
- Battery capacity
- 400 Ah
- Key feature
- 9 attachments
On order
Price on request
Updated
USE CASE · LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Snow clearing robot: pavements, paths and car parks cleared before the public arrives
The robot clears snow and treats ice on recorded routes, early in the morning or during the snowfall. Staff keep the steps, awkward access points, monitoring and emergency call-outs.
IN BRIEF
Updated
A snow clearing robot is an autonomous electric tracked machine that clears and grits footpaths, car parks and the approaches to public buildings along mapped routes.
The Snowbotix SMUR X1 works down to −40 °C, runs up to 5 h with its snow blower and takes nine tools, including a V-plough and a salt spreader, according to its manufacturer.
Robot Distribution delivers it, maps the routes, trains your staff and maintains it, to buy, rent or as RaaS.
WHY
Robotic snow clearing of paths and car parks
During a snowfall, technical services must first clear footpaths, access to schools, town halls and facilities, and car parks, often before dawn. This keeps on-call staff on repetitive tasks, in the cold, on several sites at the same time.
The robot clears recorded routes with no driver and can go round several times during the snowfall. Out of season, the Snowbotix SMUR X1 changes tools to sweep or mow, according to its manufacturer.
HOW IT RUNS
How snow clearing runs with the robot.
Mapping the routes
Before winter we record the paths, car parks and no-go zones. The Snowbotix SMUR X1 positions itself to about 2.5 cm by RTK, with LiDAR, radar and stereo vision, according to its manufacturer.
Choosing the tools
Plough, snow blower, salt spreader or sprayer are fitted according to the expected snow: on the SMUR X1 a tool change takes under 5 min, without tools, according to its manufacturer.
Autonomous clearing
The robot clears its route and throws the snow to the side. The Yarbo Y40P Core with snow blower module clears a 61 cm strip and throws snow about 2 to 12 m, according to its manufacturer.
Charging and monitoring
Between runs the robot returns to its station. The SMUR X1 charges on a wireless dock, in up to 9 h for a full charge, with a self-heating LFP battery, according to its manufacturer.
THE ROBOTS
Snow clearing robots in our catalogue.
Yarbo
Outdoor
- Key feature
- 24 in clearing width
- Key feature
- 650 sqm per charge
- Key feature
- 20° slope
On orderFrom €7,690 ex VATor €259/month in RaaS
BEFORE INSTALLING
What the site survey checks before winter.
Routes and areas
Path length, car park area and passage widths set the model and number of robots: the Yarbo Y40P Core clears up to 650 m² per charge at 2.5 cm of snow, according to its manufacturer.
Slopes and obstacles
Ramps, kerbs, steps and street furniture are recorded; the Yarbo Y40P Core climbs up to 20° (36%), according to its manufacturer.
Satellite signal and network
Buildings and trees can block the RTK signal: reception is checked along the whole route, along with network coverage.
Station and timing
We choose a sheltered spot for the charging station, storage for tools and salt, and run times in relation to when the public arrives.
RULES AND STANDARDS
Who clears what, and which standards apply to snow clearing robots
Snow clearing on pavements mixes municipal police powers, winter-service machine standards and de-icing salt rules.
Mayor's powers and residents' duties
Under Article L2212-2 of the French local authorities code, municipal police cover the safety and ease of passage on streets and public roads, including cleaning. Case law allows a mayor to require residents to clear the pavement in front of their homes, snow included. Before mapping routes, check the local order: it sets which pavements the commune treats and which are left to residents.
EN 17106-3-1 and EN 17106-3-2:2021, winter service machines
Since 2021, EN 17106-3-1 covers snow clearing machines with rotating tools and snow ploughs, and EN 17106-3-2 covers spreading machines, both alongside the common part EN 17106-1. They replace EN 13021+A1:2008. They were written for road operation machinery, so ask which clauses the manufacturer applied to a compact autonomous robot and how the rest was covered by its risk assessment.
De-icing salt: EN 16811-1
EN 16811-1 sets requirements and test methods for road de-icing salt (sodium chloride), with properties that vary by use, storage and whether it is spread dry or sprayed as brine. Check that the salt bought for the robot's spreader matches the method chosen, and that the dosing settings suit footpaths used by pedestrians and close to planted areas.
Noise marking of snow-removing machines
Self-propelled snow-removing machines with rotating tools, attachments excluded, are listed under Article 13 of Directive 2000/14/EC. No EU noise limit applies, but the machine must carry the CE marking and its guaranteed sound power level, with an EC declaration of conformity. For pre-dawn runs near housing, schools or hospitals, ask for this value before planning the timetable.
Official sources
- Question écrite n° 23282 — Obligations de déneigement des trottoirs, réponse du ministère de l'intérieur (JO Sénat 09/11/2006) · Sénat · accessed
- EVS-EN 17106-3-1:2021 Road operation machinery — Safety — Part 3-1: Winter service machines — Requirements for snow clearing machines with rotating tools and snow ploughs · EVS (Estonian Centre for Standardisation) · accessed
- BS EN 17106-3-2:2021 Road operation machinery. Safety — Winter service machines. Specific requirements for spreading machines · BSI · accessed
- NF EN 16811-1 Winter service equipment and products — De-icing agents — Part 1: Sodium chloride — Requirements and test methods · AFNOR · accessed
- Directive 2000/14/EC on noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors (consolidated text) · EUR-Lex · accessed
General information, not legal advice.
FAQ
Technical services' questions about robotic snow clearing.
Does the robot work in extreme cold?
Yes: the Snowbotix SMUR X1 is rated down to −40 °C with a self-heating battery, and the Yarbo Y40P Core from −25 to 45 °C, according to their manufacturers.
How deep a snow layer can it clear?
The Yarbo Y40P Core with snow blower module takes in up to 30 cm of snow across 61 cm, according to its manufacturer. For heavy falls, several runs are scheduled during the snowfall rather than one at the end.
Can it grit pavements?
Yes: the Snowbotix SMUR X1 takes a salt spreader and a liquid sprayer among its nine tools, according to its manufacturer.
What does the robot do outside winter?
The Snowbotix SMUR X1 is a year-round platform: with brushes it sweeps, with its 60 in (152 cm) mower deck it mows, according to its manufacturer. The Yarbo Y40P Core also takes other modules.
How does the robot find its way under snow?
By satellite and sensors rather than ground markings: RTK, LiDAR, radar and stereo vision for the Snowbotix SMUR X1, RTK and stereo vision for the Yarbo Y40P Core, according to their manufacturers.
USE CASES
Public space cleaningRobots scrub large concourses and sweep forecourts on programmed routes. Staff keep washrooms, furniture, bins and the welcome of the public.
Tunnel and utility inspectionThe robot walks utility tunnels, road tunnels and underground car parks and brings back dated images and readings. Staff keep their descents for repairs.
Autonomous road sweepingThe autonomous sweeper follows its routes by night or day, electrically, and returns on its own at the end of the cycle. Street cleaning staff keep manual litter picking, bins, fly-tipping and supervision.
Send us the plan of the paths to clear. We size the robots and the routes.
Robots, acquisition mode and delivery terms, in one written proposal.