• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Advertise
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Features list
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsor an article
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Subscribe to Newsletter

Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Editorial Sections A-Z
    • Agriculture
    • Aircraft
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Automation
    • Autonomous Vehicles
    • Business
    • Computing
    • Construction
    • Culture
    • Design
    • Drones
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial robots
    • Industry
    • Infrastructure
    • Investments
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Marine
    • Material handling
    • Materials
    • Mining
    • Promoted
    • Research
    • Robotics
    • Science
    • Sensors
    • Service robots
    • Software
    • Space
    • Technology
    • Transportation
    • Warehouse robots
    • Wearables
  • Press releases
  • Events

SoftBank and ICE Robotics launch Whiz commercial autonomous vacuum sweeper

November 20, 2019 by Sam Francis

SoftBank Robotics America and ICE Robotics have launched an autonomous vacuum cleaner called Whiz.

The initial launch is in North American, and Whiz is described as a “commercial-grade autonomous vacuum sweeper”.

The machine has been unveiled at the ongoing ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The trade show, the largest event for the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, brings together over 16,000 professionals from around the world and 700 exhibitors demonstrating new solutions and innovative equipment.

Following a successful launch in Japan and recent introductions to select markets across Asia, SBRA is pleased to bring Whiz to customers in North America.

Whiz, the autonomous vacuum sweeper launched by SoftBank Robotics and ICE Robotics

Publicly available from yesterday, Whiz has already put its innovation to work in commercial spaces across the country this year in pilots at airports, hotels, offices, campuses, and more.

At ISSA, SBRA introduced Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport and PRIDE Industries as Whiz Robotics-as-a-Service customers who are reinventing cleaning standards in their industries.

Brady Watkins, head of commercial automation at SBRA, says: “Whiz represents a major technological upgrade in automating commercial processes that demand frequency, quality, and consistency.

“The scale and effort required to keep huge areas of carpet clean strains already overworked janitorial teams.

“Whiz supports cleaning teams to uplevel their hard work. By addressing this task, Whiz unlocks the team’s potential of creating healthier environments.”

Whiz is powered by BrainOS, the award-winning commercial robot operating system, and can record up to 600 cleaning routes, for which staff teach the robot the initial floor cleaning route upon their first use.

Subsequently, routes are stored in Whiz so it can repeat the cleaning route autonomously on its own. Through cloud data visualization, cleaning and status reports on Whiz can be gathered and analyzed.

SBRA and ICE Robotics US jointly developed Whiz and have formed a strategic partnership to deliver Whiz in North America. ICE Robotics, the newly-formed global subsidiary of Intelligent Cleaning Equipment, is focused on reducing repetitive tasks for cleaning professionals through the deployment of autonomous cleaning equipment and related technologies.

The partnership emphasizes the importance of – and critical need for – robotics and automation within the commercial cleaning industry to augment the workforce in delivering cleaner, healthier lives.

Mike DeBoer, ICE Robotics US president, says: “We’re pleased to join SoftBank Robotics on their US launch and commercialization of Whiz.

“Both of our companies see robotics and automation as foundational to real innovation that benefits companies, employees, and everyone’s day-to-day life.”

Kass Dawson, head of business strategy at SBRA, says: “The ICE Robotics team offers comprehensive sales, service, deployment, and technology support for our rapid scaling of Whiz in the commercial cleaning industry.

“Our partnership is crucial to our mission of augmenting the cleaning workforce and elevating cleaning standards in the US.”

SBRA is also pleased to be working with forward-thinking partners in commercial spaces. CVG, one of the US’s fastest-growing airports, participated in the pilot program and is expanding their use of Whiz as part of their focus on global airport, community partner, and business operation leadership.

Brian Cobb, chief innovation officer of the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport, says: “At CVG, innovation is not a buzzword; it’s a way of doing business – the new normal of advancing talent and technology deployments.

“We work with a lot of promising innovators, but Whiz is a forward-looking innovation that is actually driving results today. Already we’re seeing improved productivity and effective digitized asset management.

“Whiz also is helping to bridge the gap between workforce recruitment challenges and the work that needs to be done.

“Our focus continues to center on exceeding customer expectations while delivering on our brand commitments, which is why we’re expanding our relationship with SBRA and integrating Whiz as an addition for our staff.”

With its small build and computer vision navigation, Whiz can navigate its way close to walls and avoid obstacles, while the notification pager can send real-time alerts in case of any unexpected issues.

Whiz can clean areas up to 15,000 sqft, the size of 3 basketball courts, for 3 hours on a single-battery charge.

Whiz marks SBRA’s latest evolution in their robotic portfolio. Banks, retailers, hotels, and hospitals have benefitted from SBRA’s humanoid robot, Pepper, engaging and helping customers at the front-of-house.

Educators have benefitted from both Pepper and NAO, their smaller humanoid robot, in the classroom. Partner robotics companies, such as Simbe and ICE Robotics, are integrated into SBR’s global inventory and distribution network.

In their next step of augmenting the workforce through automation, Whiz is designed to benefit the commercial spaces we expect cleanliness from, use, and maintain on a daily basis.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Related stories you might also like…

Filed Under: Industry, News Tagged With: cleaning, commercial, ice, robotics, sbra, whiz

Primary Sidebar

Search this website

Latest articles

  • Mitsubishi Electric says its robots are ‘bridging skills gaps’ in automation technology
  • Pusan National University scientists develop ‘game-changing method’ to create safer, long-lasting lithium-ion batteries
  • Fraunhofer develops ‘resource-efficient’ measurement system for semiconductor wafer production
  • Tokyo University scientists discover key to ‘stable, high-performance, and long-life’ sodium-ion batteries
  • Swiss Steel develops ‘sustainable and easy-to-machine special steels’ for automotive industry
  • How to Calculate Diminished Value for Your Car After an Accident
  • Gartner predicts one in 20 supply chain managers will manage robots, not humans, by 2030
  • Moldova launches new incubator for robotics, digital agriculture, and foodtech
  • Pudu Robotics launches new industrial sweeper and vacuum
  • Out of thin air: MIT engineers develop device that creates safe drinking water from air

Secondary Sidebar

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT