Brazil's public services adopt new tech: autonomous metro cleaning robots and hot‑water drinking fountains

Motiva has deployed autonomous cleaning robots at three stations on São Paulo's Metro Line 5‑Lilás – Capão Redondo, Campo Limpo and Santa Cruz. The AI‑driven units cut platform‑cleaning time from about 3 hours 30 minutes to roughly 40 minutes and reduce water consumption from roughly 980 litres per operation to just 15 litres, a 98 percent saving. The company says the robots improve service consistency, safety and sustainability, and executive Fabio Silva noted, “A chegada desses robôs reforça o nosso compromisso com a melhoria contínua da experiência dos clientes.”

In the municipality of Rio Negro, Paraná, new public drinking‑fountain units have been installed in Praça João Pessoa and the Parque Ecoturístico Municipal São Luís de Tolosa. The fixtures dispense water at natural, chilled and hot temperatures, the latter enabling users to prepare chimarrão. Built with stainless‑steel reservoirs, the fountains meet Inmetro safety standards, include a protective mechanism to prevent accidental burns, and feature integrated LED panels for ads and public messages. Both projects illustrate Brazilian cities’ push to modernise public infrastructure with technology that enhances efficiency, sustainability and local cultural practices.