Brain Corp and SoftBank Robotics today announced a new autonomous vacuum cleaner designed for use in retail and office environments. Initially focusing on the Japanese market, sales are expected to begin next year, the companies said in a statement.
The vacuum will be powered by BrainOS, Brain Corp’s proprietary operating system. Earlier this year, Brain announced entry into the Japanese market with a large-scale, industrial floor scrubber application.
The new product will be “significantly smaller in size than the machines BrainOS has supported in the past,” the companies said.
“This effort with SoftBank Robotics represents an important milestone in our company’s development,” said Brain Corp co-founder and CEO, Dr. Eugene Izhikevich. “BrainOS is now powering numerous robots of different sizes and use cases, thereby proving that BrainOS has the capability and flexibility to effectively automate any mobile machine.”
“On top of that, this vacuum’s robotic drive system can be leveraged by Brain Corp’s partners to create additional BrainOS-powered robots in applications like delivery, security and healthcare, just to name a few,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to work with SoftBank Robotics and extending the reach of BrainOS into Japan and around the world.”
Train a route, press a button
San Diego-based Brain, an honoree of the 2018 RBR 50, said the BrainOS platform comes fully integrated with automated driverless technology. Users can train a route and activate driverless floor cleaning by pressing a “Blue Autonomy” button.
The machine then uses multiple sensors to scan its surroundings for people and obstacles, “providing the industry’s highest level of safety and performance,” according to the company.
“SoftBank Robotics is pleased to add to its product portfolio with the announcement of this new, commercial application,” says SoftBank Robotics CBO, Kenichi Yoshida. “Brain Corp’s best-in-class technology has allowed us to effectively bring multiple robotic solutions to the Japanese market, and we look forward to continuing to innovate and lead together.”
SoftBank Robotics was also a 2018 RBR 50 honoree.
