Frequently asked questions

Yes. You can clean on low-traffic weekends or early mornings so patient rooms, classrooms, and offices aren't disrupted.

Keep simple, repeat window washing in-house and save scaffolding or rope-access budgets for heavy restoration work. If you'd rather not run it yourself, you can hire an independent, licensed drone cleaning company.

Roll out the Power Tether, set up safety cones, then lift off and clean. Scaffolding and major lifts often take a full day to assemble.

The Sherpa drone cuts back on lifts, scaffolding, rope access, and specialty contractors on qualified surfaces, and your crew does more of the work from the ground.

Yes. Your maintenance operators train on the Sherpa, you buy or subscribe to the hardware, and you write standard procedures to use across your properties.

Rate yourself on five things: market potential, available capital, dedicated time, ground operations, and commercial sales ability.

Most operators start with one service and add more later. The options are soft washing, window cleaning with the Window Payload, and water repellent application with the Shield Payload.

On the ground you need a cleaning rig: a compatible pump, water source, hose and reel, purification equipment for jobs that need it, chemistry and fittings, and a vehicle or trailer to haul it all.

Lucid Bots provides hands-on flight practice and Sherpa Academy. Training also covers job qualification, airspace, weather, site planning, hose management, and work-zone controls.

Yes. Commercial drone operations in the U.S. require FAA Part 107 certification.

Look the surface over for even coverage and touch up missed spots as the manufacturer directs. RILEM tube tests confirm the application.

Surface and air temperatures should be between 40 and 95°F (4–35°C) during application and for 8 hours afterward. Keep the treated area out of the rain for 6 hours.

First, confirm the substrate is compatible and test a small area. Then clean off dirt, biological growth, and residue, make any repairs, and remove coatings that would block absorption. Let the surface dry completely before you treat it.

You need the Shield Payload attachment on the Sherpa drone. Choose a nozzle with the spray pattern you want, and set the application pressure listed in the product's PDS/TDS.

Yes. The Sherpa drone with the Shield Payload applies water repellents and protective treatments to concrete, brick, stone, and other approved porous masonry. You won't need lifts, scaffolding, or rope access.

Yes, a working setup typically includes a soft-wash pump, hoses, water supply or tank, chemicals, and supporting plumbing. Existing cleaning companies can often reuse parts of what they already own. Soft washing does not require Window Payload.

The ground rig handles water, chemistry mixing, pumping, and hose management. The Sherpa drone is the application tool at height: you apply the solution, let it dwell without drying, then rinse and inspect. Stage the rig, set the mixture for the surface, pump it through the hose to the aircraft, apply and dwell, then rinse.

When the work is elevated exterior soft washing where chemistry and controlled spray do most of the cleaning, and you want the operator on the ground instead of on a lift, scaffold, or ropes. It is strongest on repeatable maintenance across large facades. It is usually the wrong primary tool for flatwork, tight interiors, heavy restoration, graffiti, or surfaces that need brushing, scraping, or agitation. Soft washing with the Sherpa drone uses the standard configuration, no specialized payload required.

Soft wash uses low pressure with cleaning chemistry and dwell time to break down organic growth and surface contamination, then you rinse. Pressure washing relies more on high force to knock material off. Soft wash is usually the better fit for porous or delicate exteriors where high PSI can damage the surface; pressure washing fits jobs where mechanical force is what actually removes the soil. The Sherpa can support both approaches depending on pump and nozzle setup (soft wash up to about 12 GPM at 300 PSI; high-pressure configs up to 4,500 PSI).

Yes. Window cleaning with the Sherpa requires the Window Payload attachment. Soft washing can use the Sherpa’s standard configuration; glass work that needs on-demand chemistry and a controlled rinse uses Window Payload.

Water is supplied and purified on the ground, then pumped through a hose to the Window Payload on the Sherpa drone. The payload carries cleaning solution in an onboard tank (about 2 quarts) and injects it into the water stream only when you want it. Typical cycle: pre-rinse, wash with chemistry and dwell, then turn injection off and finish with a thorough purified-water rinse before the cleaner dries. The rinse water stays separate from the chemistry so the final pass stays clean.

It can on the right job, but touchless cleaning is not better at removing every type of contamination. The Sherpa drone with Window Payload is a flying pressure washer: it works when the glass can be cleaned with the right chemistry, dwell time, and purified-water rinse. Etched glass, heavy buildup, and jobs that need agitation usually still need another method. A test panel is the honest way to check before you quote the full building.

Traditional window washing often puts people on lifts, swing stages, or ropes to reach elevated glass. With a Sherpa drone and Window Payload, the operator stays on the ground and the aircraft brings purified water, cleaning solution, and rinse control to the glass. You still rely on chemistry, dwell time, and a purified-water rinse — the drone changes access and delivery, not the basics of a good clean. Lifts and rope access can still be the better call for tight spaces, heavy restoration, or glass that needs brushing or scraping.

No. The Window Payload uses a purified water rinse that dries spot-free without physical contact. A deionization or reverse osmosis system on the ground rig removes the minerals that cause spots, so no brush or squeegee is needed.

The Window Payload applies cleaning solution and purified water to exterior glass from the air. The drone handles the wash and rinse pass while the operator controls chemistry and flow from the ground

A window washing drone is a commercial drone that applies cleaning solution and purified water to exterior glass while the operator stays on the ground. It reaches elevated windows without putting workers on ropes, scaffolding, or lifts, so crews can clean building exteriors more efficiently and with less work at height.

Qualified private evaluations are available depending on the application, property, location, buying stage, staffing, travel, equipment, and site requirements.

Request a demo to speak to our demo team.

Generally, yes. Hands-on controller access depends on the event, site, weather, insurance, staffing, certification, and supervision requirements.

The individual registration page will state what is available.

Regional events are designed to show the Sherpa drone operating in a real exterior-cleaning environment.

The exact agenda varies, but it may include a system walkthrough, live cleaning demonstration, application education, question-and-answer time, and conversations with the Lucid Bots team.

No. The Sherpa drone is operated by a trained pilot and does not currently support autonomous flight outside of its failsafe functions. Assisted hover, collision sensing and automated landing features help the pilot, but the pilot must maintain control and visual line of sight.

A working setup may include a pump, hoses, a water tank or site connection, chemicals, filtration or water purification, supporting plumbing and a generator when using the Power Tether.

Existing cleaning companies may be able to use some of the infrastructure they already own. Open trailer, enclosed trailer, van and truck-bed systems are also available through a Lucid Bots partner.

For soft washing, the Sherpa drone supports flow rates up to 12 GPM at 300 PSI. High-pressure configurations support pressure up to 4,500 PSI and flow up to 10 GPM.

The right combination of pressure, flow, chemistry and nozzle depends on the surface and cleaning method.

No. The Sherpa drone is strongest on repeatable maintenance work where water, chemistry and controlled spray can do most of the cleaning. Heavy restoration, etched glass, efflorescence, graffiti and work requiring physical agitation may require another method.

A test panel can help determine the right chemistry, process and equipment before the full job is quoted.

No. Submitting the form starts a review with our Sales Engineering team. We will recommend the most appropriate available option based on your application, location, project, timing, and stage of evaluation.

Potentially. On-site demonstrations are reserved for qualified opportunities and suitable sites.

Before recommending an on-site demonstration, we may ask about the property, building height, surface, water access, operating environment, project value, timing, and other logistical considerations.

Costs vary by format. Regional events and the Charlotte experiences are offered without a demonstration fee, while private on-site demonstrations may involve a fee, travel expenses, or other requirements. Any cost will be explained before you commit to a demonstration.

Yes. Tell us candidly where you are in the process and what you need to understand. Depending on your readiness and location, we may recommend a regional event or Charlotte experience before considering a private on-site demonstration.

No. A demo helps you evaluate the technology and operating fit. A quote is the better path when you are ready to discuss the Sherpa configuration, pricing, financing, and purchase process.

Not for Exterior Cleaning 101 or In-Person Sherpa Training at Lucid Bots headquarters. Training aircraft and related equipment are provided for the hands-on facility program. First Job Consultation requires the customer's own Sherpa drone and compatible job-ready equipment.

In-Person Sherpa Training is dedicated hands-on aircraft instruction at Lucid Bots headquarters. Exterior Cleaning 101 includes Sherpa drone instruction and flight training within a broader three-day exterior-cleaning program. First Job Consultation adds coaching during an approved live commercial deployment.

No. FAA Part 107 Exam Prep helps a learner study aviation rules and knowledge areas for the FAA test. Sherpa Academy teaches the setup, operation, care, and jobsite use of the Sherpa drone. Many new operators need both, but they solve different training needs.

In the United States, each operation conducted under Part 107 must have a remote pilot in command who holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and meets the FAA's aeronautical-knowledge recency requirements. A person without a certificate may manipulate the controls only under the direct supervision of a certificated remote pilot in command who can immediately take control. The aircraft must also be properly registered and operated in compliance with applicable Remote ID, airspace, operating, and waiver requirements. Sherpa Academy is a Lucid Bots training and warranty requirement; it does not replace FAA certification.

No. You can begin FAA Part 107 Exam Prep, Sherpa Academy, or Exterior Cleaning 101 without prior flight experience. New pilots should expect to build competence in stages through study, supervised practice, and appropriately scoped work.

Every project requires a cleaning crew, hoses, equipment, and a controlled work area. However, drone cleaning can reduce the need for lifts, scaffolding, and rope-access crews. The provider will coordinate the work around the building and its occupants.

Submit the building anyway. Many providers travel for qualified projects, and the nearest operator may serve a larger region than the map shows.

Drone cleaning may be suitable for offices, hotels, multifamily properties, hospitals, warehouses, campuses, and other commercial buildings. The surrounding flight area, building geometry, surface condition, and requested service must still be evaluated.

Drone cleaning is often less expensive than traditional high-access methods because crews can complete the work faster and avoid the cost, setup, and rental of lifts, scaffolding, or rope-access systems.

The published configuration calls for approximately 130 to 160 PSI at 1.8 GPM and a 1/4-inch connection. The ground rig listed with the payload includes a 25-gallon tank, pump, reel, and hose.

Yes, by closing the pores, dirt and contaminants sit on top of the concrete instead of penetrating it, making future cleaning faster, easier, and less frequent.

Surface must be dry prior to application. Excessive moisture inhibits penetration and reduces the service life and performance of the treatment. The current documented workflow recommends waiting at least 24 hours after cleaning, with additional drying time for porous surfaces or unfavorable conditions.

No. A penetrating water repellent enters below the surface of the substrate rather than forming a film on the surface, so it behaves differently from paint or a film-forming coating. Durability still depends on the treatment, substrate, application quality, pressure used during future cleaning, and environmental exposure.

Yes. The surface should be clean, dry, and free of dirt, residue, existing films, or incompatible treatments. Complete a test area and follow the selected treatment’s preparation and curing requirements.

Shield Payload is not positioned as a precision painting solution. Its current purpose is controlled application of validated water-based repellents and compatible protective treatments.

The strongest publicly documented combination is PROSOCO Siloxane WB Concentrate. Other water-based silane or siloxane treatments may be compatible after review, but every material must be evaluated against its TDS, SDS, viscosity, substrate requirements, and cleanup instructions.

Shield Payload is intended primarily for qualified porous concrete and masonry. Final compatibility comes from the selected treatment, not the payload alone, so every substrate should be reviewed and tested before full application. Check product data sheet for substrate compatibility before applying.

Commercial Sherpa drone operators in the United States need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Previous drone experience is not required, but operators must complete the appropriate certification before performing commercial work.

There is no universal production rate. Building design, surface condition, chemistry, water supply, weather, and job setup all affect speed. The biggest advantage is often significantly reducing the time required to set up and reposition lifts, scaffolding, or rope-access systems.

The Sherpa drone can legally fly up to 180 feet in supported configurations. Actual working height depends on the payload, hose, liquid weight, wind, site conditions, and applicable flight restrictions.

It can, when the right cleaning method, chemistry, pressure, and water quality are used. The Sherpa drone changes how the cleaning solution reaches the surface, not the science behind the cleaning.

The Sherpa drone's default configuration is optimized for exterior soft washing. The Window Payload adds commercial window cleaning, while the Shield Payload supports water repellents and coating applications. Job fit depends on the surface, buildup, and desired result.

The Sherpa drone carries the spray system while water and cleaning solution travel through a lightweight hose from a ground rig. The pilot controls the drone from the ground and applies the same water, chemistry, and cleaning methods used in professional exterior cleaning.

The published starting point is 1 part Lucid Clear+ to 50 parts water. Actual metering depends on the pump, injector, metering component, hose length, and nozzle. Do not use Lucid Clear+ at a stronger concentration than its current instructions allow.

Lucid Clear+ is the primary publicly documented solution for Window Payload. Any alternative chemistry should be reviewed for glass compatibility, dilution, handling, rinsing, and equipment compatibility before use.

Existing mineral deposits often require specialized chemistry, agitation, or restoration. Window Payload should not be positioned as a universal hard-water-stain removal system.

Window Payload is intended primarily for routine exterior commercial windows and glazed facades. Coated glass, films, damaged seals, specialty glazing, and adjacent materials should be reviewed before cleaning. Complete a test area when compatibility is uncertain.

No cleaning method should make that guarantee without qualifying the glass, water, chemistry, weather, and process. Properly purified water, correct dilution, appropriate dwell time, and thorough rinsing support a cleaner finish with minimal spotting.

No. Window Payload is a touchless spray system and does not include a brush or squeegee. Some heavily soiled or mineral-stained glass may still require contact cleaning or restoration.

No. The current manual prohibits operation in rain, snow, or fog. Keep the generator and ground unit dry and away from spray-back and runoff. Suspend operations when lightning is present or approaching.

Use a generator capable of at least 10,000 running watts with a 240V, 50A-capable connection. Lucid Bots validated the system using a Predator 13,000-watt Tri-Fuel generator.

The supplied power tether is 200 feet long. The entire cable must be fully unspooled during every operation, even when the Sherpa drone is working at a lower height.

Lucid Bots has demonstrated a stable maximum of approximately 140 feet AGL with spray active, wind below 10 mph, and a lightweight 1/4-inch hose. Actual working height may be substantially lower in heavier hose or filled Window Payload configurations.

It removes the normal battery-cycle limit, but it does not remove every operating limit. Flight duration still depends on generator fuel, crew endurance, weather, equipment condition, inspections, site schedules, water or treatment supply, and regulatory requirements.

Drone window cleaning uses a drone to apply cleaning solution and purified water to exterior glass while the operator remains on the ground. By reaching elevated windows without putting workers on ropes, scaffolding, or lifts, it helps commercial crews clean more efficiently while reducing work performed at height.

Both sections are part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but they cover different areas. Section 848 focuses on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and the sourcing of critical drone components. Section 889 focuses on telecommunications and surveillance equipment, restricting the use of certain covered manufacturers.

‍In simple terms: Section 848 applies to the drone itself, while Section 889 applies to the communications and surveillance technology used within the system.

The operator retains full manual control of the Sherpa Drone at all times. If GPS is lost, the drone maintains position using its failsafe systems. If radio contact is lost, the drone will hover for 60 seconds then initiate a controlled vertical descent straight down from its current position.

The Sherpa Drone applies standard commercial soft-wash chemistry, sodium hypochlorite and surfactant, used by commercial cleaning contractors across the industry.

Yes, with appropriate approvals in place. Drone operations on military installations require coordination with the installation's airspace authority. The Sherpa 1.5 NDAA UAS meets NDAA Section 889 compliance requirements.

The Sherpa Drone's onboard camera is used for operator situational awareness and flight control only. The drone does not store footage on external servers, transmit imagery to third parties, or perform mapping, reconnaissance, or area scanning.

No. The Sherpa NDAA UAS is a distinct configuration with a fully audited Bill of Materials verified to contain zero components from NDAA-prohibited manufacturers. If you are working at a government or military facility, confirm your operator owns the Sherpa NDAA UAS drone specifically, not the standard Sherpa drone.

The Sherpa drone does not replace soft washing or pressure washing as cleaning methods. It changes how water, pressure and chemistry reach the surface. On suitable high-access jobs, crews can reduce their reliance on lifts, scaffolding and rope access while using familiar cleaning processes.

Traditional methods may still be better for flatwork, detailed restoration, tight spaces or surfaces that require brushing, scraping or agitation.

No prior drone experience is required. Lucid Bots provides Sherpa Academy, an online training course, which can be completed at your own pace. We also offer a three day in-person training course for an additional fee. You will need an FAA Part 107 certification for commercial use.

The Sherpa drone works with many commercial soft-wash and high-pressure pumps. Compatibility depends on the payload, pressure, flow, hose and nozzle.

The Lucid Bots team can review your current system or recommend a compatible setup for the work you want to perform.

Battery-powered flight time is up to 19 minutes per cycle. Actual flight time depends on the payload, hose, wind, battery condition and operating environment.



For longer jobs, the optional Power Tether draws electricity from a compatible ground generator to support continuous operation without routine battery swaps. Lucid Bots has tested more than 8 hours of continuous tethered flight, with an onboard backup battery providing power for a safe landing if ground power is interrupted.