DFW Car & Toy Museum's Autonomous Floor Scrubber Becomes Unexpected Visitor Favorite

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has introduced an unexpected crowd favorite among its collection of classic cars and rare collectibles: Fast Fred, a fully autonomous robotic floor scrubber that has captured visitors' attention with its racing-inspired personality. While designed for cleaning duties, this high-tech Tennant X4 ROVR has become one of the most discussed exhibits on the museum floor. The integration of this modern technology within a traditional automotive museum setting demonstrates how businesses in Texas are finding innovative ways to enhance visitor experiences while maintaining operational efficiency.

Fast Fred was named in memory of museum founder Ron Sturgeon's late twin brother, a lifelong drag racer whose spirit continues through this surprising little speedster. The robotic cleaner features custom decals, an NHRA sticker, and a friendly smiley face on the front, allowing it to blend seamlessly among the museum's collection of muscle cars, racing legends, and automotive icons. This personal touch adds emotional depth to what would otherwise be purely functional equipment, creating a meaningful connection between the museum's history and its present operations.

During his three-hour cleaning sessions, Fast Fred navigates through the galleries with precision, politely pausing when visitors cross his path before accelerating away with the urgency of a race car. Museum guests frequently stop to take photographs or cheer as the autonomous machine cruises past displays of chrome and horsepower. The museum's new facility at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth provides ample space for Fast Fred's operations within its 150,000 square feet of exhibition area. This demonstrates how Texas businesses are leveraging technology to improve operations while creating additional value for customers.

"In a museum built on speed, nostalgia, and the love of cars, it's only fitting that even our cleaning crew has racing DNA," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "Fast Fred keeps our floors spotless—and our visitors smiling." The museum continues to blend automotive history with modern technology, creating experiences that surprise and delight guests of all ages. This approach represents a growing trend among Texas cultural institutions to incorporate functional technology as part of the exhibition experience.

The Tennant Company robotic scrubber represents the intersection of cleaning technology and automotive culture, powered by software provided by Brain Corp. This integration of autonomous innovation within a traditional car museum setting demonstrates how modern technology can enhance visitor experiences while maintaining the nostalgic appeal of automotive history. The museum's approach to incorporating functional technology as part of the exhibition experience represents an evolving trend in how cultural institutions engage with visitors and optimize their operations.

The success of Fast Fred at the DFW Car & Toy Museum highlights how Texas businesses are finding creative ways to integrate technology into traditional settings. By transforming a routine cleaning task into an engaging visitor experience, the museum has demonstrated how innovation can serve multiple purposes—improving operational efficiency while enhancing customer engagement. This model could influence other museums and cultural institutions across Texas to reconsider how they incorporate technology into their visitor experiences and daily operations.