TECHNOLOGY
GAME- CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
Last month, Nilfisk announced that it is entering the field of automated cleaning machines, thanks to a new partnership with Carnegie Robotics. Here, we learn more about this partnership, and Nilfisk’s new ‘Horizon Program’.
In a special, live-streamed announcement last month, the Nilfisk Group announced to the world that it has partnered with Carnegie Robotics, a leading provider of advanced robotic sensors, to develop a ground breaking range of autonomous cleaning machines under the pioneering Horizon Program.
The first technologically advanced Horizon model was showcased at the ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America Show on 26-28th October, where visitors could experience the product live. The first model is due to launch in Spring 2017.
THE GLOBAL HORIZON PROGRAM The Nilfisk Group’s Global Horizon Program has included hundreds of hours of customer interviews and workshops designed to understand customer requirements and real applications across the world. The game-changing outcome is the best performing, most productive, safe, self-operating, driverless cleaning machines, which heralds a new era for commercial cleaning.
The range of 2-in-1 autonomous cleaning machines provide unprecedented precision via a series of sensors, lasers and software programs that are currently used in the military sector for land mine detection, in addition to other commercial applications and agriculture.
TECHNOLOGY PARTNER During the live digital launch of the Horizon Program, held on Tuesday 4th October, the President and CEO of Carnegie Robotics, Steve DiAntonio,
60 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning
explained how their approach to market is to select a leading global partner in each sector with the courage to introduce disruptive, innovative technology.
He said: “As a technology partner, the way we like to go to market is to partner with an established company, and we typically target a global leader. A company that is really going to know the customers, the requirement, the application – but at the same time, this company needs to have the courage to really be willing to introduce innovative and disruptive technology into the marketplace. Clearly Nilfisk is that partner.
“From the beginning, our partnership has focused on thorough, intensive research and exhaustive, rigorous testing to develop the most sophisticated, highest functioning autonomous cleaning products the industry has seen to date.”
Nilfisk were selected for their 110- year commitment in responding to the changing needs of customers, bringing innovative solutions to the market place, constantly striving to improve performance, productivity and reduce the total cost of ownership. Together the partnership is bringing state of the art technology to the cleaning industry, enabling customers to deploy unmanned floor cleaning with accuracy and precision.
SENSOR, LASERS & SOFTWARE The new Horizon range utilises a series of sensors to map the environment, detect people, obstacles and drop offs (stairwells etc.).
The robust perception system therefore allows safe operation within multiple unstructured environments. All models will provide both manual and automatic modes. The ‘CopyCat’ mode records a normal cleaning pattern for the area in question, allowing the same cleaning pattern to be ‘replayed’ autonomously when the play button is activated. The ‘Fill In’ mode allows an area to be outlined before the machine utilises an advanced algorithm to work out the best, most efficient way to independently clean the specified area.
With only three buttons, the models are very easy to use with minimal training required for operation.
Both driverless modes free up cleaning operatives for manual, ad-hoc jobs in more unstructured environments such as busy offices.
FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING THE INDUSTRY Jonas Persson, President and CEO of Nilfisk commented on their ambition to fundamentally change the global commercial cleaning sector. He said: “Some years ago we developed the ambition to produce the most productive, best performing and safe autonomous cleaning machine in the world.
“Building on our heritage and remaining consistent, we are setting a course for a long term, strategic programme of unmanned, intelligent and connected cleaning solutions. This sophisticated technology will completely redefine how we look at productivity and the total cost of ownership.
“Nilfisk’s work with Carnegie Robotics is like no other partnership in the industry. This team brings together the highest levels of expertise in robotics and commercial cleaning to design and develop state of the art driverless cleaning equipment.”
www.nilfisk.com
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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