DFW Car & Toy Museum's Autonomous Floor Scrubber 'Fast Fred' Becomes Unexpected Fan Favorite

The DFW Car & Toy Museum has introduced an unexpected star to its collection of classic cars and rare collectibles: Fast Fred, a fully autonomous robotic floor scrubber that has become one of the most discussed exhibits among visitors. While designed for cleaning purposes, this high-tech Tennant X4 ROVR has captured the imagination of museum guests with its racing-inspired personality and efficient navigation through the galleries.

Fast Fred was named in honor of museum founder Ron Sturgeon's late twin brother, a lifelong drag racer whose spirit the museum aims to preserve through this unique technological addition. The robotic cleaner features custom decals, an NHRA sticker, and a smiley face on the front, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the museum's collection of muscle cars, racing legends, and automotive icons. During his three-hour cleaning cycles, Fast Fred moves through the exhibition spaces with precision, pausing when visitors cross his path before continuing with what observers describe as racer-like urgency.

Visitors frequently stop to photograph the autonomous cleaner and cheer as it passes rows of classic automobiles. The museum's approach represents a blending of automotive history with modern technology that creates surprising connections for guests of all ages. Ron Sturgeon explained the philosophy behind Fast Fred's integration: "In a museum built on speed, nostalgia, and the love of cars, it's only fitting that even our cleaning crew has racing DNA. Fast Fred keeps our floors spotless—and our visitors smiling."

The Tennant X4 ROVR represents advanced cleaning technology powered by software from Brain Corp, demonstrating how autonomous systems can function effectively in public spaces while engaging human observers. The museum's adoption of this technology reflects broader trends in how institutions are incorporating robotics into visitor experiences. The DFW Car & Toy Museum continues to operate from its North Fort Worth location at 2550 McMillan Parkway, maintaining its focus on automotive history while embracing technological innovation through exhibits like Fast Fred.

This integration of functional robotics into a museum environment highlights how everyday technology can become part of the visitor experience when presented with creativity and context. The museum's approach demonstrates that even practical equipment like cleaning robots can contribute to storytelling and emotional connections when aligned with an institution's core themes and values. The success of Fast Fred suggests potential for other museums and public spaces to consider how operational technology might enhance rather than simply serve their environments.