SoftBank Robotics Group Corp (SBRG) has announced a global partnership with Keenon Robotics, the global leading AI company focusing on indoor intelligent service robots. This global launch is a follow-up from SoftBank World event announcement on Sept 15th that SoftBank Robotics is collaborating with Keenon Robotics on a global strategic partnership.
SBRG and Keenon Robotics will work together to expand the use of robotics systems in the service industry that will allow better efficiency and productivity. The increased operational efficiency gained from service robots will allow businesses to allocate more time and resources for service crews to refocus on customer service.
In line with Singapore’s vision and initiatives to become a Smart Nation, SBRG aims to launch a series of robots that will support the government’s initiative and accelerate the adoption of robotics technology in industries such as F&B, cleaning, hospitality, security, healthcare, logistics and more. Advances in robotics and technology will lead to job transformation over the next few years.
As part of the global expansion, SBRG will be working with various stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to encourage the adoption of robotics in their respective fields. The growth in digitalisation, automation and robotics in the services sector with the use of AI will foster growth of the delivery robotics market.
Keenbot by Keenon Robotics will be launched in key SBRG’s markets starting with Singapore and Japan followed by Europe, Middle East and the United States. The Keenbot solution is equipped with multi-point delivery modes and is able to deliver four dishes at one time which is particularly suited for the service industry.
The robot has an intelligent scheduling system, obstacle avoidance, flexible structure and speed limit in smart zones as part of its workflow processes making it the right technology to use in tandem with human capabilities.
“At SoftBank Robotics, it is all about leveraging the technologies of tomorrow to create better solutions,” said SoftBank Robotics Corp., Kenichi Yoshida, Chief Business Officer. “The partnership with Keenon Robotics, the global leading AI company focusing on indoor intelligent service robots will allow us to deliver cutting edge solutions as an integrated system to increase capability and efficiency in the service industry as well as achieve greater savings.”
With the current disruption from the pandemic-induced lockdowns, technological adoption in the form of robotics by businesses will transform tasks, jobs and skills. In addition, Singapore’s focus on being a Smart Nation and its mission to become a knowledge-based and innovative country encouraged SBRG to choose the nation as its international launchpad to announce the global partnership with Keenon Robotics. Local Food and Beverage operators are also seeing the rise of integrating robotics solutions in their operations.
“We are proud to partner with SoftBank Robotics, the leader in the robotics solutions industry,” said Keenon Robotics, Tony Li, Chief Executive Officer. “As the cost of labour increases, technology becomes an affordable solution creating an increased appetite for automation alongside human tasks. The Keenbot is one such example of a solution that is meant for convenience and performs well when completing repetitive operational tasks that require precision.”
Source: Keenon Robotics & SoftBank Robotics