AI Firm Offers Free Apartment Cleaning With Robot Assistance

WHO:

Business Insider - The AI startup involved is named Shift.

Business Insider - The chef who assisted during the cleaning was named Chef James.

WHAT:

BBC - An AI company is offering free apartment cleaning services to train robots.

Business Insider - The cleaning service took about 90 minutes of a two-hour slot.

Business Insider - The cleaning service included a three-course meal prepared by Chef James.

WHERE:

Business Insider - The cleaning took place in a New York City apartment.

WHEN:

Business Insider - Shift premiered its service in May.

WHY:

BBC - The purpose of the free cleaning service is to train robots that the company hopes will eventually replace human cleaners.

Business Insider - The service is part of a trend where startups pay for videos of household tasks to train robots.

HOW:

Business Insider - The cleaners wore baseball caps with cameras attached to record the cleaning process.

Business Insider - Shift claims to anonymize "names, faces, or other personal information" in the video recordings.

(UPDATED June 21, 2026 06:33 UTC)

An AI startup named Shift is offering free apartment cleaning services in New York City to train robots, with the service taking about 90 minutes of a two-hour slot. The cleaning included a three-course meal prepared by Chef James, and the cleaners wore baseball caps with cameras attached to record the process, while Shift ensures that all personal information is anonymized in the videos. This initiative is part of a growing trend where startups pay for videos of household tasks to help robots eventually replace human cleaners.