INDUSTRY NEWS
Softbank Robotics, GERMii launch AI-powered cleaning robot SoftBank Robotics Singapore has announced the launch of a two-in-one automated commercial floorcare cleaning and disinfection solution in partnership with Australian pathogen mitigation company, GERMii. The partnership sees SoftBank Robotics Singapore combine the capabilities of its AI-powered flagship robot vacuum cleaner, Whiz, with GERMii’s ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology. GERMii specialises in the application of proven UV-C sanitisation or sterilisation technology designed, engineered and locally manufactured in Australia. Whiz works autonomously, allowing cleaning staff to focus on other higher value tasks while removing the cleaning staff of laborious large-scale cleaning and delivers cleanliness consistency in floor cleaning standard. Kenichi Yoshida, chief business officer at SoftBank Robotics Corp, said the company is extremely proud to be collaborating with an Australian-born innovator. “Our flagship robot, Whiz, in partnership with GERMii, will help tackle the real risks Australians face every day in quarantine hotels and other high-risk areas. With a heightened focus on eliminating any transmission from quarantine hotels and international flights, we are committed to plugging this gap by eradicating pathogens directly at the source to save time and help cleaners focus on areas unreachable by machines.”
OCS NZ establishes advisory group A new advisory group – featuring some of New Zealand’s most prominent business people – is set to support one of the country’s largest facilities management services companies to tackle key issues facing New Zealand business, including employee wellbeing. Established by OCS New Zealand, the group includes Sir Bill English, Rob Fyfe, Francois Barton, Mike Burrell, and Jo Wills, who all bring a wealth of local and international knowledge and expertise. Gareth Marriott, OCS ANZ managing director, said one of the greatest challenges the business and the global workforce is facing is employee wellbeing. “Across the globe, we can see that people are simply running on empty which is impacting their personal and work lives, and that’s particularly prevalent for essential workers. “As a business, we know we don’t have all the answers, but we also know we need to make employee wellbeing a priority if we want our workforce and our customers to thrive. That’s one of the areas where we need to draw on the expertise of our group to come up with fresh solutions with real impact.” Rob Fyfe, accustomed to working with and transforming some of the world’s commercial giants, said the group provides a formidable strategic force for OCS. 22 INCLEAN July / August 2021
“The group combines political and commercial acumen, expertise in health, safety and workplace wellbeing, in-depth sustainable business insights, and decades of strategic advisory experience and global connectedness,” said Fyfe. Marriott said the challenges of the last 14 months showed him the benefits of being able to draw on expert advice across some critical areas and to help the business and its workforce to grow and thrive, he needed to be looking outside the business. The group will meet four times a year to ensure clear strategic objectives are set and met for the business as well as tackling key themes.