Automation experiments emerge as operators struggle to hire and retain cleaners
Across Singapore’s coffee shops and food courts, keeping tables clean has become a daily operational challenge as manpower shortages worsen, pushing operators to test unconventional technological solutions.
A Growing Manpower Strain
Coffee shop operators across Singapore are struggling to hire and retain cleaners, citing the physically demanding and unglamorous nature of the job. Mr Tommy Ng of Mr Teh Tarik Eating House said staff turnover can occur every few months, with each of his five outlets requiring at least two cleaners per shift. Similar frustrations were echoed by Kopiwu director Mr Wu Yi Feng, who noted that low entry barriers make workers less inclined to stay long-term.
Limits of Existing Policies
While the mandatory tray return rule has eased workloads slightly, operators said manpower remains essential to manage tray stations, wipe tables, and maintain hygiene. Foreign manpower quotas further constrain hiring, according to Kim San Leng CEO Mr Andy Hoon, with many operators preferring direct hires over outsourced cleaning to control costs.
A Self-Cleaning Table Experiment
Facing persistent staffing challenges, Food Haven introduced a prototype self-cleaning table at Nanyang Technological University’s Pioneer Food Court. The four-seater table uses disposable sheets that can be replaced at the push of two buttons, pulling food scraps and spills into a compartment while dispensing a fresh surface within 30 seconds. Each roll lasts three to four days, and a tablet tracks usage.
Promises and Practical Concerns
Food Haven director Shane Tay said the technology could potentially halve the number of cleaners needed during peak hours at the 300-seat food court. However, testing revealed limitations. Larger food scraps often jammed the mechanism, liquids leaked into compartments, and the bulky design reduced seating capacity. Some diners were unaware of the table’s function, mistaking it for cooking equipment.
Mixed Reactions From Users
NTU students acknowledged that dirty tables are common during peak hours, with some bringing wet wipes to clean surfaces themselves. While undergraduate Chua Jia Xing said the design could improve hygiene, she raised concerns about waste generation and safety hazards from power cables. Cleaner Mdm Vasantha noted the table was easy to operate and reduced her workload compared to traditional tables.
Lessons From Past Automation Efforts
Singapore’s food centres have tested cleaning automation before, including tray-return robots and robotic table cleaners introduced as early as 2016. Most failed due to operational inefficiencies, obstruction issues, or redundancy after tray return became mandatory. Experts say these experiences highlight the difficulty of deploying robots in dynamic public environments.
Why Technology Is Not Enough Yet
Experts from the National University of Singapore and NTU said food centres present complex, fast-changing conditions that robots still struggle to navigate. Associate Professor Harold Soh explained that effective cleaning requires dexterous physical skills and social awareness, both areas where robots remain limited. Associate Professor Lyu Chen added that tasks such as identifying spills versus valuables require nuanced judgment that current systems lack.
No Easy Fix Ahead
Operators agree that automation alone cannot solve the labor crunch, especially as many cleaners are retirees who may struggle with physically demanding work. Dr Ng Boon Yuen from Singapore University of Social Sciences emphasized that technology adoption must be user-driven to succeed. While advances in embodied AI continue, experts agree that human supervision will remain necessary in food centres for the foreseeable future.
Singapore’s experiments with self-cleaning tables and robotic solutions reflect a broader regional struggle to balance rising labor constraints with operational needs. While automation offers partial relief, the path forward will likely require a blend of smarter technology, better job design, and realistic expectations about what machines can and cannot replace in everyday public spaces.
Sources: CNA (2026) , (2026), CNA Facebook Video (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Cleaners Shortage, Self Cleaning Tables, Food Court Automation, Robotics In Hospitality
