Robotic vacuum cleaners are getting smarter. Brain Corp., which provides artificial intelligence for commercial robots, this week announced that it and Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. have launched the KIRA CV 60/1. The companies said the autonomous vacuum is the first product of their partnership.
“It has become more important than ever for organizations to create high-functioning and sustainable operations, and an increasing number are achieving that through combining the best of automation with human workforces,” said Dr. Eugene Izhikevich, CEO of Brain Corp. “By bringing together best-in-class technologies, this versatile new machine brings a first-of-its-kind autonomous solution for soft floors to a diverse set of new industry sectors.”
San Diego-based Brain Corp claimed that its AI powers more than 16,000 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) operating in commercial public spaces, the largest fleet of its kind in the world. The company added that its BrainOS cloud-connected platform enables Fortune 500 brands to use its growing portfolio of AMRs and software to automate cleaning, move inventory, and sense environmental data for greater efficiency and safety.
Kärcher and Brain Corp design robot for large facilities
“Kärcher is thrilled to bring its first autonomous machine to market in partnership with Brain Corp,” said Rex Shull, vice president of product management and engineering. “In today’s challenging labor environment, this product will be a key solution to help our customers meet troublesome resource challenges.”
Winnenden, Germany-based Kärcher is a leading provider of cleaning technology, and its Kärcher North America unit is headquartered in Aurora, Colo.
Using Brain Corp’s proprietary operating system, KIRA CV 60/1 is designed to safely vacuum in large buildings such as hotels, schools, airports, offices, and convention centers and more. In addition to BrainOS, the robot includes the following features for navigation and cleaning:
- Lithium-ion battery for increased runtime and faster charging speed
- Advanced cameras and sensors that constantly scan and adapt to the environment
- Cloud-connected AI software that continually improves navigational performance
- Reporting tools that provide managers with key insights into operational performance metrics
- HEPA-rated vacuum bag for optimal health protection
KIRA CV 60/1 to help meet staffing, cleanliness demands
KIRA CV 60/1 can help fill staffing gaps by delivering consistent cleaning coverage to meet the required scope of work while allowing existing workers to focus on higher-value tasks, said the companies.
Workers without a technical background can easily to manage the machine and optimize performance through its intuitive interface and teaching methodologies—“Teach & Repeat” and “Area Fill” —according to Kärcher and Brain Corp.
“With the demands for increased cleaning and hygiene not slowing down, robotics offer a compelling and sustainable solution for future-proofing operations, maintaining high levels of clean and mitigating staffing issues,” said Brain Corp. “BrainOS-powered cleaning machines have already enabled more than 7 million hours to be given back to employees and operations managers, a number that continues to quickly increase as the need for enhanced productivity grows.”