From Self-Maintaining Scrubbers to Drone-Powered Facade Cleaners, CMS Berlin 2025 Demonstrated How Robotics and AI Are Reshaping Professional Cleaning Across All Sectors

CMS Berlin 2025 Wrap Up: The expo showcased the future of cleaning – and that future is smart, automated, and incredibly exciting

• Record-breaking event: CMS Berlin 2025 drew more than 22,800 visitors and 441 exhibitors from 30 countries, the largest edition in the fair’s history.
  
• Robotics dominance: Autonomous scrubbers, vacuums, sweepers, drones, and even solar panel cleaning robots were the standout attractions, underlining automation as the defining trend.
  
• AI-powered breakthroughs: Exhibitors introduced features such as self-cleaning docking stations, thermal water scrubbers, 3D perception systems, and fleet management platforms.
  
• Sustainability in focus: Gausium’s plastic-free detergent sheets and other eco-driven innovations complemented the push toward smarter, greener cleaning.
  
• Industry shift: From global leaders like Kärcher, Nilfisk, and Tennant to new players like Primech, Sparkoz and Nexaro, CMS Berlin 2025 demonstrated that robotics and AI have moved from experimental showcases to strategic imperatives in facility management.

(NEWS) BERLIN, 29-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — CMS Berlin 2025, held from 23–26 September at the Berlin Exhibition Centre, shattered previous records with over 22,800 trade visitors and 441 exhibitors from 30 countries across more than 34,000 m² of space. Organizers report this was the largest CMS Berlin ever, exceeding the 21,000 visitors of 2023. “CMS 2025 was exceptional. Never before have exhibitors presented so many innovative products and solutions… on such a large area. Visitor numbers also exceeded the record set in 2023,” said Messe Berlin CEO Mario Tobias. Exhibitors and attendees from around 80 countries flocked to the four-day trade fair to witness the latest trends. The focus throughout the event was squarely on digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainable cleaning solutions, signaling how rapidly the industry is embracing high-tech tools. “The enthusiasm of the exhibitors and trade visitors underlines how important this personal exchange is,” noted CMS Director Ruth Senitz, highlighting that the new visitor record was “overwhelming” for the show’s organizers, according to brushexpert.com.

Cleaning Robots Steal the Spotlight

A drone demonstrates high-pressure facade cleaning at CMS Berlin 2025, illustrating how robotics now tackle even building exteriors, according to a press release from the organizers.

Robotics and automation dominated CMS Berlin 2025, making it clear that the cleaning industry is entering a new era of smart, autonomous solutions. An unprecedented array of cleaning robots – from floor scrubbers and vacuums to window and solar panel cleaning bots – were on display. Global players from Germany, China, the US, and Singapore unveiled autonomous cleaning machines making their world or European debuts. As one report observed, the exhibitor lineup highlighted a sector “rapidly moving from manual labor to automation as its core strategy”. The surge of cleaning robots is also driven by real industry needs: these machines help address labor shortages and relieve the physical strain on workers, key challenges facing the sector, according to a CMS Berlin Update.

Global Launches of Autonomous Cleaning Machines

Many companies used the event to launch cutting-edge robotic cleaners or debut them to the European market:

• Adlatus Robotics (Germany) – Showcased its new CR700 scrubber-dryer, a fully autonomous floor-cleaning robot with AI-driven path planning and LiDAR-based navigation (operating entirely camera-free for data privacy). Its modular design allows adapting to different floor types, underlining German engineering prowess in service robotics.
• Alfred Kärcher (Germany) – Highlighted the KIRA B50 autonomous scrubber, equipped with LiDAR and 3D sensors for safe, self-directed operation in busy environments like warehouses and malls. Notably, Kärcher’s larger KIRA B200 model impressed judges to win the new Robotics/AI category of the CMS Purus Innovation Awards, thanks to its fully autonomous performance via docking station and resource-saving water/chemical system. This marked the first time a robotics category was included, drawing a particularly large number of entries – a testament to how much smart technology is transforming cleaning, according to a CMS Berlin Update from the Day 2.
• Hako (Germany) – Brought its Scrubmaster B75i, an innovative hybrid scrubber-dryer that can operate in both manual and autonomous modes. It integrates certified LiDAR scanners and 3D vision, allowing it to navigate safely in dynamic settings (e.g. retail aisles) while still giving operators the option of manual control.
• Nilfisk (Denmark) – Introduced the Liberty SC25 robotic floor scrubber, a compact autonomous cleaning machine designed for high-traffic or confined areas, marking its official German premiere at CMS 2025. The SC25 is built to automate cleaning in tight spaces like small shops or crowded public facilities.
• Nexaro (Germany) – Unveiled the new Nexaro NR 1700 robotic vacuum, engineered for large and complex floorplans up to ~1,000 m². Backed by German appliance giant Vorwerk, Nexaro’s latest model features enhanced docking and is integrated with AI-driven fleet management – reflecting a push toward fully networked robotic cleaning ecosystems. The NR 1700 follows Nexaro’s earlier NR 1500 robot and shows the startup’s ambition to scale up autonomous vacuuming capacity.
• Ecovacs (China) – Known for consumer robot vacuums, Ecovacs made a notable entry into the professional cleaning arena. At CMS it rolled out the new DEEBOT PRO series: the K1, a 4-in-1 robot (vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, dusting) aimed at offices and retail stores, and the larger M1 model, a 3-in-1 floor cleaner for expansive spaces like airports and shopping malls. Leveraging experience from millions of home robots, Ecovacs is even introducing a rental model to make it easier for cleaning contractors to adopt these machines. This move underscores how consumer robotics heavyweights are expanding into commercial cleaning.
• LionsBot (Singapore) – The award-winning Singaporean robotics firm drew crowds with its latest lineup of AI-powered cleaning robots. LionsBot teased “Marvel” and “MiRA”, two next-generation autonomous cleaners – one of which is a ride-on scrubber – as well as updates to its friendly LeoBot series. These robots emphasize user-friendly interaction and cloud connectivity. LionsBot’s presence at CMS (alongside regional distributor partners) signaled its continued expansion into the European market, riding on its reputation for innovative and user-centric design (LionsBot did not release full specs publicly, but live demos garnered significant buzz on the show floor).
• Rosiwit Robotics (China) – Officially unveiled its Skywalker GT commercial cleaning robot platform on opening day (Sept 23). The Skywalker GT is a multi-function robotic base that can be equipped for tasks like scrubbing, vacuuming, or dusting large facilities. Rosiwit’s launch at CMS – billed as a world debut – highlights the growing influx of Chinese service robot startups onto the European stage.
• Primech HYTRON (Singapore) – Debut participation. Primech Holdings, a facilities services firm from Singapore, brought its new HYTRON AI cleaning robots to Europe for the first time. These robots, designed for “sustainable hygienic service,” performed extensive live demonstrations at CMS and attracted over 250 qualified client inquiries during the expo. The strong interest from international hotel chains, FM providers, and distributors (spanning Germany, UK, France, Italy, Scandinavia, as well as the US and Asia) is enabling Primech to kickstart global expansion plans. “CMS Berlin marks a pivotal milestone in HYTRON’s global rollout,” said Ken Ho, CEO of Primech, noting that the 250+ serious leads “validate HYTRON’s commercial potential” in the booming AI cleaning market. Primech announced that CMS Berlin would be the launch of a world tour, with the HYTRON robots next headed to trade shows in Tokyo and Las Vegas to build on the momentum.

Advanced AI and Automation Features

What truly stood out across these launches was the emphasis on AI-driven capabilities and hands-free automation. Many exhibitors demonstrated how their robots can not only perform cleaning tasks autonomously, but also manage maintenance and navigation intelligently:

• Self-Cleaning & Auto-Maintenance: Pudu Robotics introduced a groundbreaking Self-Cleaning Docking Station for its floor-scrubbing robots, pushing the envelope of “robot cleaning itself.” Debuting at CMS Berlin (Hall 2.2, Stand 218), this station enables Pudu’s CC1 scrubber to automatically wash its own mops, brushes, and squeegees after each job. It uses ultrasonic and hot water systems to remove dirt from the robot’s cleaning tools, and even works in tandem with the robot’s AI – if the CC1 Pro detects heavy soil via onboard sensors, it can return to dock for a self-clean cycle mid-mission. “By enabling robots to maintain themselves, we’ve unlocked true hands-free, unattended operations,” said Pudu CEO Felix Zhang. This innovation, unveiled live at CMS, sets a new benchmark for reducing human intervention in cleaning routines.
• “Never-Lost” Navigation: Several robots touted next-level navigation and obstacle avoidance. For example, Sparkoz Technology (USA) demonstrated its “Never-Lost” AI navigation system on the TN70-PRO scrubber lineup, which combines LiDAR and vision sensors to create a highly reliable real-time map of facilities. The TN70-PRO (shown in both dual-brush cylindrical and 20-inch disc brush editions) can pre-sweep and scrub in one pass and intelligently reroute or pause when encountering obstacles. Sparkoz’s smaller TN10-PRO model, a compact 3-in-1 robot that sweeps, vacuums and mops, pairs with an automated docking workstation for water refill and waste discharge – meaning it can clean continuously without human help for extended periods. Hourly live demos at Sparkoz’s booth drew facility managers eager to quiz the engineers about these AI and automation capabilities. “The feedback we received [at CMS] reinforces the demand for intelligent automation,” said Sparkoz Founder Danny Cui after the event, noting that many partners and end-users were excited by the prospect of measurable efficiency and safety gains from such robots, according to their press release on EuropaWire following their successful participation in the expo.
• 3D Perception & AI Analytics: Pudu’s heavy-duty MT1 Max robotic sweeper impressed attendees with its advanced 3D LiDAR and multi-sensor fusion navigation. As demonstrated at CMS, the MT1 Max can interpret complex environments and detect people or objects nearly 150 meters (~500 feet) away. This long-range awareness lets it dynamically reroute around moving obstacles (like crowds or forklifts) and even handle harsh conditions (it can maintain its position in dusty, low-light, or even foggy parking garages). The MT1 Max also leverages AI for specific tasks – for instance, it can recognize trash types on the floor and trigger appropriate spot-cleaning routines automatically. Such AI-powered perception is turning cleaning robots into “digital janitors” that not only follow pre-set routes, but make smart decisions in real time.
• Fleet Management & Integration: Another common theme was the integration of robots into broader digital facility management systems. Many exhibitors offer cloud platforms to monitor and control robot fleets. The new Nexaro NR 1700, for example, works within the Nexaro HUB cloud system, allowing facility managers to schedule tasks, review cleaning reports, and manage multiple robots remotely via AI insights. Likewise, Ecovacs’s DEEBOT PRO units come ready to connect with an app and cloud dashboard (leveraging the company’s consumer-tech background) to simplify deployment across multiple sites. This emphasis on data and connectivity reflects how cleaning automation is evolving: not just isolated robots, but intelligent networks of machines integrated into a smart building ecosystem. Sparkoz Technology also offered an early view of upcoming features targeting fleet management and multi-site automation — signaling a shift beyond single-robot sales toward integrated systems

Smart, Sustainable and Specialized Cleaning Solutions

Beyond the robots themselves, CMS Berlin 2025 highlighted a push toward sustainability and niche applications in cleaning tech. For instance, Gausium (China) chose the show to unveil “Gausium Leaves” – the world’s first plastic-free, zero-waste cleaning detergent sheets made for use in autonomous scrubbers. Instead of shipping heavy jugs of liquid chemicals (mostly water) around the globe, Gausium’s ultra-concentrated dissolvable sheets can be dropped into a robot’s water tank, drastically cutting plastic waste and transport emissions. This innovation garnered significant attention as it tackles the environmental footprint of cleaning operations, complementing the efficiency gains of the robots themselves. Gausium also premiered a “Phantas Turbo” scrubber (an upgrade to its Phantas model) to work hand-in-hand with the eco-friendly detergent sheets, embodying the twin trends of automation and green cleaning.

The expo also showcased robotic solutions for specialized cleaning tasks. A striking example was the KTV Working Drone from Norway – essentially a flying cleaning robot. In outdoor demos, this drone hovered up along the exhibition hall’s facade, blasting high-pressure water to wash windows and walls. Tethered by safety cables and guided by precision sensors, it proved a safer alternative to risky high-rise cleaning, and it’s already in use for tasks like ship and solar panel cleaning. Another niche highlight was the hyCLEANER solarROBOT (Germany), designed specifically to crawl along solar panels and gently clean off dust to maintain energy efficiency. Its presence underlined how far automation has expanded beyond floors – even renewable energy installations are getting their own robot cleaners. Meanwhile, exhibitors like IP Cleaning (IPC) and Nilfisk demonstrated compact robotic vacuums for offices and hospitals, showing that no space is too small for automation. From hospital corridor UV-disinfection bots to restroom-cleaning robots, attendees got a glimpse of a future where nearly every cleaning niche has a smart machine tailored for the job.

Industry Reactions and Takeaways

By the close of CMS Berlin 2025, one message was clear: autonomous cleaning technology has moved from novelty to necessity in the professional cleaning and hygiene industry. Many industry leaders lauded the show’s outcomes. “One clear trend is that digital solutions, robotics, and automation are increasingly shaping the industry,” observed Christian Nowak of Vileda Professional, noting that his company’s intelligent cleaning systems drew huge interest from visitors, according to brushexpert.com. The strong turnout of over 22k attendees itself reflected the hunger for such innovations. Exhibitors reported not just high foot traffic but high-quality contacts – numerous deals, partnerships, and pilot projects are expected to materialize in the wake of the expo.

Several companies announced plans to capitalize on the momentum. For example, Sparkoz indicated it will accelerate development of multi-site fleet management features in response to client feedback gathered at the fair. Primech’s team, buoyed by the global inquiries for HYTRON robots, is fast-tracking international distribution agreements and scheduling further demos in new markets. The overall sentiment was optimistic: the cleaning sector is ready to invest in automation to boost productivity, solve labor shortages, and meet higher hygiene standards post-pandemic. As CMS 2025 showed, from now on any discussion of cleaning and facility management will center on smart automation and AI. The event truly lived up to its motto “Clean meets smart,” offering a dynamic showcase of how technology is redefining cleanliness in our offices, airports, hospitals, malls – even in public transit and solar farms.

Looking ahead, the next CMS Berlin is slated for 2027, and anticipation is already building. The 2025 edition set a high bar, but it also proved that the future of cleaning is here and it’s autonomous. “Together, we have proven that the industry can do a lot and is showing it,” said Ruth Senitz, emphasizing how important the face-to-face exchange at CMS is for driving innovation. After four days packed with robot demos, expert talks on AI, and sustainable solutions, participants left Berlin energized about the road ahead. In the words of one attendee, “CMS Berlin 2025 showcased the future of cleaning – and that future is smart, automated, and incredibly exciting.”