There’s something quietly revolutionary happening in the world of workplace maintenance, and it comes in a surprisingly sleek package. Meet Pulito, a cleaning system designed by Yilmaz Salman that’s challenging everything we thought we knew about keeping shared spaces spotless.
Most cleaning robots feel like expensive toys that promise the moon and deliver, well, a slightly cleaner floor. Pulito takes a completely different approach. Instead of being just another gadget you buy and forget about, it’s designed as a subscription-based service that actually makes sense for how modern workplaces function. Think of it less as a product and more as a cleaning partner that shows up ready to work.
Designer: Yilmaz Salman
What makes Pulito different is its three-pronged strategy for tackling workplace hygiene. The main unit houses a continuous air filtration system that quietly works away at improving indoor air quality while everything else happens around it. This isn’t just about appearances. We spend so much time indoors now, and air quality has become one of those invisible factors that affects how we feel and work without us even realizing it.
Then there’s the autonomous floor cleaning component, a detachable unit that handles the vacuuming and wiping without anyone needing to babysit it. It’s the kind of set-it-and-forget-it functionality that actually lives up to the promise. The robot navigates work areas independently, freeing up cleaning staff to focus on tasks that genuinely need a human touch.
And that’s where the third element comes in. Pulito includes an integrated storage drawer filled with specialized window cleaning tools designed for staff to use. Rather than trying to automate absolutely everything (because let’s be real, robot window washers still have a ways to go), it embraces a hybrid model where technology and human expertise work together. It’s a refreshingly honest approach to design that acknowledges the limitations of automation while maximizing its strengths.
The business model behind Pulito is just as thoughtful as the design itself. The rental service approach taps into the growing circular economy movement, where ownership matters less than access and sustainability. Recent projections suggest the service robot sector could hit $175 billion by 2030, and rental models are proving to increase operational convenience by 83% and sustainability by 76%. Those aren’t just impressive numbers. They represent a fundamental shift in how businesses think about equipment and resources.
For facility managers and business owners, the subscription model solves one of the biggest headaches with commercial cleaning equipment: the massive upfront cost and the inevitable maintenance nightmares. With Pulito, you’re essentially renting a service that includes the hardware, updates, and support. When something breaks or needs upgrading, it’s not your problem to solve. That’s a game changer for smaller businesses or startups that need professional-grade cleaning solutions without the capital investment.
The portability factor deserves attention too. Pulito’s main body features an ergonomic strap system that lets cleaning personnel carry it like a high-tech backpack between different zones. Look at those product shots of someone wearing it while navigating between buildings. It’s almost futuristic, transforming cleaning staff into something that feels more like tech-equipped professionals than traditional janitorial workers. There’s dignity in that design choice.
Aesthetically, Pulito doesn’t look like your typical cleaning equipment. The textured grey finish with those lime green accents feels contemporary without trying too hard. The perforated details on the air filtration unit give it an industrial-chic vibe that wouldn’t look out of place in a design-forward coworking space or a tech startup’s headquarters. It’s the kind of object you wouldn’t feel embarrassed to have sitting in your office lobby.
What Salman has created with Pulito is bigger than just another cleaning robot. It’s a complete rethinking of workplace hygiene infrastructure for the modern era. By combining autonomous technology, human collaboration, accessible pricing through subscriptions, and genuinely thoughtful industrial design, Pulito represents where facility management might actually be headed. Not a future where robots do everything, but one where smart design makes both human workers and automated systems more effective together.
The post This 3-in-1 Cleaning Robot Fits in a Backpack first appeared on Yanko Design.