Robot Training and Onboarding Guide for Irish Teams

Effective training is the difference between a robot that sits unused and one that transforms your operations. Irish businesses report that well-trained teams achieve 40% higher robot utilisation.

Training Principles:

1. Start with 'why': Explain the purpose and benefits
2. Hands-on practice: Learning by doing, not just watching
3. Build confidence: Start simple, increase complexity
4. Create champions: Identify enthusiastic early adopters
5. Ongoing support: Training doesn't end at go-live

Who Needs Training:

Training Timeline:

Level 1: Awareness Training (30 minutes)

For all staff who may encounter the robot:

Content: - What the robot does and why - Safety basics (how to stop it) - How to interact (or not) - Who to contact with issues

Delivery: - Brief presentation or video - Simple handout - Q&A session

Level 2: Operator Training (2-4 hours)

For staff who will operate the robot daily:

Content: - Starting and stopping procedures - Daily maintenance tasks - Basic troubleshooting - Monitoring and reporting - Emergency procedures

Delivery: - Hands-on demonstration - Guided practice - Written quick-reference guide - Competency check

Level 3: Supervisor Training (4-6 hours)

For managers overseeing robot operations:

Content: - All operator content plus: - Performance monitoring - Route/schedule changes - Escalation procedures - Staff management - Reporting and KPIs

Delivery: - Extended hands-on session - Dashboard training - Scenario exercises - Best practices discussion

Level 4: Administrator Training (1 day)

For IT or technical leads (if applicable):

Content: - System integration - Network requirements - Software updates - Data management - Advanced troubleshooting

Delivery: - Technical deep-dive - Integration workshop - Documentation review

Cleaning Robots (Floor Scrubbers, Vacuums)

Key skills: - Tank filling and emptying - Brush and filter maintenance - Route adjustments - Spot cleaning vs autonomous mode

Common mistakes: - Overfilling tanks (causes spills) - Ignoring filter alerts - Not clearing obstacles before cycles

Delivery Robots (Room Service, Internal Delivery)

Key skills: - Loading and securing items - Destination programming - Guest interaction protocols - Jam/stuck recovery

Common mistakes: - Overloading compartments - Poor item securing (spills) - Not communicating with guests

Security Robots (Patrol, Monitoring)

Key skills: - Route programming - Alert response - Camera and sensor operation - Integration with security systems

Common mistakes: - Ignoring alerts (alert fatigue) - Not adjusting for events/changes - Poor handover between shifts

Warehouse/AMR Robots

Key skills: - Task assignment - Working safely around robots - Pick/put confirmation - Exception handling

Common mistakes: - Stepping into robot paths - Not confirming picks - Manual intervention when not needed

Challenge 1: "I'm not good with technology"

Solution: - Start with simple tasks - Use physical demonstrations, not just screens - Pair with confident colleague - Emphasise that robots are designed to be easy - Celebrate small wins

Challenge 2: "Will this replace my job?"

Solution: - Be honest about intentions - Emphasise job evolution, not elimination - Highlight new skills they'll gain - Show career progression opportunities - Involve staff in implementation decisions

Challenge 3: "It was working fine yesterday"

Solution: - Document changes and troubleshooting - Create simple diagnostic checklist - Establish clear escalation path - Review common issues in team meetings

Challenge 4: Different learning speeds

Solution: - Identify quick learners as peer mentors - Provide written guides for reference - Allow extra practice time - Don't embarrass slower learners - Focus on competency, not speed

Challenge 5: Shift handovers

Solution: - Standardised handover checklist - Log book for robot status - Clear responsibility assignment - Overlap time for handover

Challenge 6: Maintaining skills over time

Solution: - Regular refresher sessions - Include robot topics in team meetings - Update training for software changes - Cross-train for coverage

Monthly:

• Brief refresher on any issues encountered
• Share tips and best practices
• Update on any software changes
• Recognition for good robot management

Quarterly:

• Performance review (robot and team)
• Advanced feature training
• Cross-training opportunities
• Feedback collection

Annually:

• Comprehensive skills assessment
• New feature training
• Career development discussion
• Process improvement workshop

Creating Robot Champions:

Identify and develop "robot champions" who: - Show enthusiasm for technology - Help colleagues with questions - Suggest improvements - Act as first point of contact

Benefits of champions: - Peer support reduces helpdesk calls - Local expertise for quick fixes - Positive influence on culture - Career development opportunity

Resources for Ongoing Learning:

Rentabot.ie provides: - Video tutorials for common tasks - Updated quick-reference guides - Monthly webinars on best practices - Access to user community - Dedicated support for questions

Measuring Training Effectiveness:

Track: - Robot utilisation rates - Issue resolution times - Support ticket volumes - Staff confidence surveys - Customer feedback (if applicable)