Ricks Co., Ltd. Launches 'SkyWash Plus': A New Factory Exterior Sanitation Method Combining Drone Cleaning and Infrared Inspection, Eliminating Scaffolding and Reducing Costs.
Ricks Co., Ltd. and the National Drone Technology Association have launched 'SkyWash Plus,' a new one-stop service that integrates drone-based exterior high-pressure cleaning with infrared and high-resolution camera inspections.
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- 📰 Published: May 23, 2026 at 21:58
- 🔍 Collected: May 23, 2026 at 13:31
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## Overview
Ricks Co., Ltd. and the National Drone Technology Association have launched 'SkyWash Plus,' a new one-stop method that combines drone-based exterior high-pressure cleaning with exterior inspections using infrared and high-resolution visible light cameras.
This service aims to support exterior sanitary management, early detection of abnormalities, and advanced maintenance for various facilities, including food factories, by providing high-altitude cleaning alongside inspections using high-resolution and infrared cameras in a single workflow.
## Background of Development
Food factories are increasingly required to improve sanitary management levels due to the advancement of HACCP operations and strengthened responses to sanitary audits. Laws such as the Food Sanitation Act and the Building Standards Act mandate the prevention of contaminants and pests, as well as consideration for the surrounding environment.
External areas such as building exteriors, pipes at high altitude, and roof sections are prone to accumulated dirt, mold, and deterioration, which are often overlooked, leading to hygiene, safety, and building maintenance issues. Ricks Co., Ltd. previously offered the 'SkyWash Method' for high-altitude drone cleaning, and has now launched this new service to integrate inspections, realizing highly effective exterior sanitary management.
## Three Key Values and Introduction Effects of 'SkyWash Plus'
1. Overwhelming Cost Optimization (Significant Cost Reduction):
Since cleaning and inspection are performed within the same schedule, scaffolding installation costs can be significantly reduced.
2. Construction Period Reduced to Approximately 1/4 (Minimizing Operational Downtime):
In a standard 1,000㎡ scenario, the construction period is reduced from approximately 20 days using traditional methods to 4-5 days, minimizing the impact on factory operations.
3. Reduction of High-Altitude Work Risks (Safety and Security):
As scaffolding is not required and drones perform tasks in hazardous areas inaccessible to humans, labor accident risks are significantly avoided.
## Standard Construction Comparison (1,000㎡: 20m height x 50m length)
- Total Cost:
- Traditional Method: 3-5 million JPY
- SkyWash / SkyWash Plus: 1.8-3 million JPY (*Subject to site quotation)
- Construction Period: Traditional ~20 days -> New Service 4-5 days
- Scaffolding: Required for traditional -> Not required for new service
- Operational Downtime: High possibility for traditional -> Minimized for new service
## Features of the Service
1. Efficiency in exterior sanitary management and maintenance planning through one-stop implementation of cleaning and inspection.
2. Early detection of abnormalities via infrared inspection.
Using high-performance infrared cameras mounted on drones, temperature differences and abnormal tendencies in exterior walls, roofs, factory equipment, and rooftop solar panels can be grasped.
Ricks Co., Ltd. and the National Drone Technology Association have launched 'SkyWash Plus,' a new one-stop method that combines drone-based exterior high-pressure cleaning with exterior inspections using infrared and high-resolution visible light cameras.
This service aims to support exterior sanitary management, early detection of abnormalities, and advanced maintenance for various facilities, including food factories, by providing high-altitude cleaning alongside inspections using high-resolution and infrared cameras in a single workflow.
## Background of Development
Food factories are increasingly required to improve sanitary management levels due to the advancement of HACCP operations and strengthened responses to sanitary audits. Laws such as the Food Sanitation Act and the Building Standards Act mandate the prevention of contaminants and pests, as well as consideration for the surrounding environment.
External areas such as building exteriors, pipes at high altitude, and roof sections are prone to accumulated dirt, mold, and deterioration, which are often overlooked, leading to hygiene, safety, and building maintenance issues. Ricks Co., Ltd. previously offered the 'SkyWash Method' for high-altitude drone cleaning, and has now launched this new service to integrate inspections, realizing highly effective exterior sanitary management.
## Three Key Values and Introduction Effects of 'SkyWash Plus'
1. Overwhelming Cost Optimization (Significant Cost Reduction):
Since cleaning and inspection are performed within the same schedule, scaffolding installation costs can be significantly reduced.
2. Construction Period Reduced to Approximately 1/4 (Minimizing Operational Downtime):
In a standard 1,000㎡ scenario, the construction period is reduced from approximately 20 days using traditional methods to 4-5 days, minimizing the impact on factory operations.
3. Reduction of High-Altitude Work Risks (Safety and Security):
As scaffolding is not required and drones perform tasks in hazardous areas inaccessible to humans, labor accident risks are significantly avoided.
## Standard Construction Comparison (1,000㎡: 20m height x 50m length)
- Total Cost:
- Traditional Method: 3-5 million JPY
- SkyWash / SkyWash Plus: 1.8-3 million JPY (*Subject to site quotation)
- Construction Period: Traditional ~20 days -> New Service 4-5 days
- Scaffolding: Required for traditional -> Not required for new service
- Operational Downtime: High possibility for traditional -> Minimized for new service
## Features of the Service
1. Efficiency in exterior sanitary management and maintenance planning through one-stop implementation of cleaning and inspection.
2. Early detection of abnormalities via infrared inspection.
Using high-performance infrared cameras mounted on drones, temperature differences and abnormal tendencies in exterior walls, roofs, factory equipment, and rooftop solar panels can be grasped.
FAQ
「スカイWash・Plus」とはどのようなサービスですか？
ドローンによる外装高圧洗浄と、赤外線・高解像度カメラを用いた外装点検を、同一日程内でワンストップに実施する施設管理サービスです。
従来工法と比較したメリットは何ですか？
足場設置が不要となり、施工期間を約4分の1（20日から4～5日）に短縮可能な点、労災リスクを回避できる安全性、および大幅なコスト削減が挙げられます。
どのような施設を対象としていますか？
食品工場をはじめとする各種施設のほか、外壁、屋根、工場設備、屋上太陽光パネルなど、高所部の衛生管理や点検が必要な施設を対象としています。
赤外線点検はどのような目的に使用されますか？
可視光だけでは把握しにくい外壁や屋根の温度差や劣化異常傾向を早期に発見し、保全対応の高度化に役立てるために使用されます。
標準的な施工費用はどのくらいですか？
1,000㎡の標準施工において、従来の在来工法が300万～500万円であるのに対し、スカイWash・Plusは180万～300万円となっています（※赤外線点検費用を含め、詳細は要現地見積）。