UNLV Team Develops AI Drone to Clean Windows

Students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are building a water-efficient drone designed to reduce the hazards of high-rise window cleaning.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Home Cleaning

Photograph of a white drone hovering beside a glass high-rise in clear desert light, a thin water spray and squeegee arm visible beneath it. — Students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are developing an AI-powered window-cleaning drone aimed at reducing deadly high-rise cleaning accidents. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should drones replace workers on high-rise window cleaning jobs?

UNLV engineering students are developing an AI-powered drone that combines drone technology with an onboard water tank and a robotic squeegee and brush system to clean high-rise windows. The startup Gagamba, born from UNLV's President's Innovation Challenge, is pursuing partnerships with local window-cleaning companies.

Why it matters

Current window-cleaning methods rely on complicated gear, rooftop access, and workers lowered on scaffolds, which carry serious safety risks. OSHA documented 88 window-cleaning accidents over the last 15 years, 62 of which were fatal.

The drone reportedly uses 29 times less water than tethered pressure washing systems, according to the team's comparison. OSHA documented 88 window-cleaning accidents over 15 years, 62 of them fatal, though the source does not say when commercial availability will begin.

The players

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

A public research university in Las Vegas whose engineering students developed the drone through the President's Innovation Challenge.

Gagamba

A startup born out of UNLV's President's Innovation Challenge that is pursuing partnerships with local window-cleaning companies.

Vaughn Guintu

A UNLV sophomore who serves as CEO of the startup Gagamba.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The federal agency whose records document the window-cleaning accidents cited in the story.

The details

The drone uses artificial intelligence to determine how much water each window needs, and it cleans using an onboard water tank with a robotic squeegee and brush system. Gagamba's CEO, sophomore Vaughn Guintu, is leading the effort, and the team plans to begin testing with local businesses such as Avanti Green Eco Cleaning soon.

Over the last 15 years: OSHA documented 88 window-cleaning accidents, 62 of them fatal.
Soon: Testing with local businesses such as Avanti Green Eco Cleaning is planned to begin.

Seasonal Patterns

The drone is positioned as an alternative to the rooftop, scaffold, and suspended-worker methods that OSHA's accident records describe for high-rise window cleaning. Its water-efficiency claim is measured against tethered pressure washing systems, the conventional alternative to manual cleaning methods.

Homeowners and property managers considering professional window cleaning should ask providers about their safety equipment and methods before hiring. The source does not indicate when the drone will be available to hire, so current service options remain unchanged.

The takeaway

Emerging drone technology may reduce both water use and worker exposure to fall hazards in window cleaning. Readers should watch for announced partnerships before expecting changes to local service options.