Avidbots, a maker of commercial robotic cleaning systems, and Maplesoft, a provider of modeling and calculation software for engineering and research, have agreed a strategic partnership to “bring more innovation to autonomous cleaning robot design for commercial customers”.
Warehouses and retail businesses are frequently turning to tech to provide efficient, cost-effective cleaning options for essential commercial cleaning tasks, say the companies.
Finding efficient cleaning solutions has been made challenging by unpredictable staffing and the additional Covid-related surface disinfection steps.
Avidbots says it made a mark on the cleaning industry through the launch of its latest-generation fully autonomous robot floor cleaner, Neo 2, in 2020.
The company has continued to develop and expand the capabilities and quality of its autonomous robotic product line with the launch of the Disinfection Add-On in 2021 to meet this growing demand.
In their latest collaboration with Maplesoft, Avidbots is utilizing Maplesoft’s software capabilities to design robots in a virtual simulation environment and test real-world situations without investing resources in physical prototypes.
Using simulation software, mechatronics engineers can rapidly produce different virtual prototypes much faster than building a single physical system.
It is also easier to test the performance of a digital model under a variety of operating conditions than to set up multiple testing spaces in a warehouse.
Avidbots says it was important to find ways to keep their product development nimble. When Avidbots decided to simulate the capabilities of their robots, it looked to Maplesoft’s MapleSim engineering software to provide “reliable digital models with the right level of realism and flexibility” for their engineers to test a variety of scenarios, features, and components.
Since Maplesoft launched the MapleSim product family in 2008, it has been used by designers globally as a virtual modeling environment to evaluate design elements and to quickly test how different product features perform.
Maplesoft’s engineering team is experienced in modeling robotics for manufacturing, packaging, and warehouses, and the MapleSim software can combine design elements from separate engineering domains, such as the mechanical, electrical, and driveline systems found in autonomous robots, into one platform.
Chris Harduwar, VP of business development, Maplesoft, says: “Maplesoft has always provided advanced modeling tools that equip tech companies to design better, stronger machines through simulation.
“This successful collaboration of Maplesoft and Avidbots demonstrates how Canadian tech companies working together can provide a rich setting for developing new autonomous design concepts and bringing innovative, game-changing products to market faster.”
Avidbots robotic solutions are used throughout the world in various environments, such as airports and transit, education, retail, manufacturing and warehousing, and healthcare.
Powered by Avidbots Autonomy, a proprietary AI software, their Neo product line delivers a fully autonomous clean while autonomously navigating through designated cleaning areas and automatically detecting and avoiding obstacles.
With its advanced performance reporting, Neo also allows companies to make data-driven decisions, creating operational efficiencies and protecting against health and safety concerns.
Peter Ahn, VP of engineering, Avidbots, says: “We are excited by this partnership with another Canadian technology company, Maplesoft, and their commitment to innovation and engineering expertise.
“As a company, Avidbots is dedicated to making our products accessible to customers and delivering the best return on investment.
“Maplesoft’s advanced virtual modeling capabilities help to keep our product development nimble and adaptive, so we can deliver our customers built-in intelligence that allows Neo to perform on its own with a consistent, efficient, and measurable clean.”
The combined venture of the two companies is expected to speed up the time-to-market for new features and allow a variety of options to be paired with different industries.
The companies say that the “innovative pairing of Avidbots and Maplesoft has filled a need in the market”.
