Brain Corp is partnering with Kärcher, one of the world’s largest providers of cleaning technologies, to develop a new type of “autonomous stand-on vacuum cleaner”.
Kärcher and Brain Corp, a San Diego-based artificial intelligence and robotics company, made the partnership announcement at the ISSA Show North America.
The companies aim to develop and bring autonomous floor care solutions to market in a joint effort.
Kärcher has a simple innovation philosophy: innovation is what benefits the customers.
In partnering with Brain Corp, the company is pleased to introduce solutions to benefit users in a variety of industries.
The initial product resulting from the collaboration will be the Kärcher Intelligent Robotic Applications – or “KIRA” – CV 60/1 RS Chariot.
The companies say this is “the industry’s first autonomous stand-on, professional vacuum cleaner”. It will be powered by BrainOS.
Kärcher will license BrainOS, Brain Corp’s commercially validated technology for the production, implementation and support of this new cleaning solution.
Marco Cardinale, vice president floor care solutions, Alfred Kärcher, says: “I am pleased that another building block has now been added to our global robotics strategy: our partner Brain Corp will help us launch the world’s first autonomous stand-on vacuum cleaner in the near future.
“We designed the KIRA Chariot from the ground-up for autonomous operation, delivering best-in-class efficiency, reliability and mobility.
“In addition to the award-winning product concept of our KIRA B 50 autonomous scrubber drier, the new machine ideally complements our goals in the field of robotic floor cleaning solutions.”
Kärcher has a track-record of efficient, resource-conserving cleaning systems that make a difference through top performance, innovation, and quality.
Continuing this tradition, Kärcher says the KIRA Chariot is unique in its ground-up autonomous design, and will include several innovations: lithium-ion battery technology that provides longer run-times, a HEPA filtration system, and the capacity to clean large areas while still being able to maneuver in tight, dynamic spaces.
Users of the machine can leverage the vacuum’s robotic capabilities by utilizing a simple and intuitive “teach and repeat” approach, allowing for easy deployment and seamless updates to the cleaning routes as the environment changes.
The KIRA Chariot will operate in both autonomous and manual modes, and will be available for sale in 2020.
Christian Cornelius-Knudsen, senior vice-president, global sales and services, Brain Corp, says: “Brain Corp is excited to partner with Kärcher, one of the leading providers of cleaning technology worldwide.
“This collaboration continues our growing momentum in the commercial floor care market, with Brain Corp now counting the major industry manufacturers as technology partners.
“Thousands of robots powered by BrainOS operate across a wide-range of public and commercial environments today, validating both the technology and value to end-user customers.”
BrainOS became commercially available in 2015 and enables original equipment manufacturers to integrate autonomous capabilities into their machines, regardless of form-factor size or application.
BrainOS powered robots currently operate across geographies and operating environments that include retailers, warehouses, airports, shopping malls and school campuses.
