Drones to wash high-rise ledges being tested at Punggol HDB

Senior Minister of State for National Development, Sun Xueling, tested the use of drones to wash high-rise ledges.

This is a way to utilise technology to tackle high-risk activities, she said.

In her Facebook post on Oct. 11, Sun shared that traditional methods, such as using workers on gondolas and "spidermen," pose risks to workers.

Hence the trial this morning using drones to wash high-rise ledges.

This included various steps that involved the use of water pressure and dissolvents, she added.

This trial took place at Block 271D Punggol Walk, and residents were given notices to close their windows and draw their curtains should they have privacy concerns.

"As this is a trial, I will look at the results of the cleaning, resident feedback and also cost of deploying such technology before proceeding further," she added.

Can it be used to fight fire?

One user asked in the comments if the drones could be used to fight fires, and Sun replied that it is "already happening".

However, she added that the firefighting drones spray water over large surfaces, likening it to "water sprinklers".

For ledge washing on the other hand, Sun explained that the drones used are special because they aim to deliver water in a targeted manner and at high pressure to dislodge or wash away dirt.

Top photos via Sun Xueling/Facebook