# Solar Panel-Scrubbing Robots Scrobby is an Autonomous Robot That Can Clean Domestic Solar Panels By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-09-16 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scrobby References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/scrobby-solar-photovoltaic-panel-cleaning-robot/33819/) & [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stefanhamminga/scrobby-solar-keeping-your-solar-panels-clean) Scrobby is a solar-powered, [fully autonomous robot](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automated-cleaning-device) that is designed to keep domestic [solar panels clean](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-carpet-cleaner) and clear. Solar panels need to be cleaned regularly to ensure that they are working at optimum efficiency, and simply hosing them down isn't enough -- they need to be scrubbed and polished. This is where Scrobby comes in. A single Scrobby robot can clean a solar array measuring up to 10 x 20 meters -- the distance limitation is only due to the length of the robot's wire tether. Scrobby is capable of taking user commands from a smartphone or tablet app, and can send details of its schedule to the app via Bluetooth. Amazingly, Scrobby doesn't require [external power or water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/s10-ultra-robot-vacuum) -- it has its own solar panel which it uses to charge its batteries. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/robots) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Solar Panel Cleaning Robots:** Scrobby is just one of the many solar panel cleaning robots that is disrupting the traditional cleaning methods for solar panels. - **Autonomous Cleaning Robots:** Scrobby is part of the growing trend of autonomous robots being used in cleaning applications. - **Smartphone-controlled Cleaning Robots:** The use of smartphone or tablet apps to control cleaning robots like Scrobby is revolutionizing the cleaning industry. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Solar Energy Industry:** The development of solar panel cleaning robots like Scrobby is creating new opportunities for innovation and optimization in the solar energy industry. - **Robotics Industry:** The robotics industry is rapidly growing as more robots are being developed for cleaning applications. - **Smart Home Industry:** Scrobby's smartphone-controlled features make it a part of the smart home trend and a potential opportunity for integration into existing smart home systems. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Solar-Powered Robotic Pool Cleaners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wybot-m1-ultra.md) - [Battery-Powered Spa Cleaners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spabot.md) - [Solar-Powered Robotic Lawnmowers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunscout-pro-robot-lawnmower.md) - [Sonar Technology Pool Cleaners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pool-cleaner-robot.md) - [Solar-Powered Charging Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-mars-bot.md) - [Automated Ocean-Cleaning Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jellyfishbot.md) - [Window-Cleaning Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/winbot-w2.md) - [Smart Robot Home Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scop.md) - [Robotic Pool Cleaning Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-pool-cleaning-device.md)