UNLV Startup Gagamba Tests AI Drone for High-Rise Window Cleaning

UNLV engineering students are building an automated drone system to clean high-rise windows in the Las Vegas Valley. The project seeks to remove human workers from hazardous heights by using artificial intelligence and robotics to handle the task.

The initiative is led by UNLV engineering professor Tony Ferrar and his team of students. They formed a startup called Gagamba after participating in the UNLV President’s Innovation Challenge. Sophomore Vaughn Guintu serves as the company’s chief executive officer.

Ferrar noted that window cleaning methods have remained largely static for decades. Current practices involve complex gear, roof access, and lowering personnel via scaffolds, which creates numerous safety issues.

Guintu cited OSHA data showing 88 window-cleaning accidents in the last 15 years, with 62 resulting in fatalities. The team intends to leverage existing drone and computer vision technologies to prevent these avoidable deaths.

The proposed drone integrates an onboard water tank with a robotic squeegee and brush system. Its AI component calculates the precise amount of water required for each window based on the type of dirt present.

Guintu stated that bird droppings require less water than window streaks to remove. The system achieves 29 times less water usage than current tethered pressure washing methods.

The team is currently developing a prototype and seeking partnerships with local window-cleaning firms. They plan to begin testing with companies like Avanti Green Eco Cleaning soon. Gagamba aims to become commercially viable once it secures sufficient funding.