US-based artificial intelligence (AI) robotics firm Brain Corp is expanding its technology to manufacture cleaning robots that will be tasked to scrub facilities operating during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brain Corp, which makes autonomous systems for cleaning robots, said it would expand further to serve retail, healthcare, airports, schools, and other facilities that are on the front lines of the iris.
The announcement came after the SoftBank Vision Fund-back robotics firm raised $36 million in its Series D funding round, with SoftBank again leading the pack of investors.
The funding round was also participated by new investors ClearBridge Investments and Satwik Ventures, and return backer Qualcomm Ventures, the investment arm of mobile technology giant Qualcomm Inc.
Brain has developed AI and self-driving technology to enable robots to perceive their environment, learn to control their motion, and navigate using visual cues and landmarks while avoiding people and obstacles.
The company recently launched a Robotic Relief program where it provides autonomous floor cleaning robots for three months at no charge, according to reports.
Robot Relief includes no-cost rental, deployment, training, and support for BrainOS powered floor care robots for a minimum of 90 days. Facilities that spend two or more hours on floor scrubbing per day, such as grocery stores, medical facilities, and manufacturers of essential goods, are good candidates for the self-driving floor scrubbers.
Brain Corp said BrainOS is the foundation of its technology. It is a proprietary operating system that integrates with off-the-shelf hardware and sensors to provide a cost-effective “brain” for robots. It plays the same role for robots as Android OS plays for smartphones.
“Brain Corp’s technology represents the next generation of artificial brains for robots,” the company said on its website.
SoftBank Vision Fund previously led the company’s $114-million Series C funding round last year. The investment was used to further develop AI technology and create brains for multiple types of commercial and consumer robots.
