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SoftBank Extends Its Largest Single Site Deployment of Autonomous Robots in the US with Flagship Facility Services

SAN FRANCISCO (October 10, 2024) --SoftBank Robotics America (SBRA), the North American arm of the global leader in robotics solutions today announced the extension of its largest single site deployment of autonomous robots in the US, with Flagship Facility Services. SBRA entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with Flagship Facility Services in 2024. This has allowed Flagship access to SBRA’s industry-leading technology solutions portfolio, along with its renowned enterprise adoption program.

Overall, SBRA’s partnership with Flagship has enabled deployment of almost 100 autonomous cleaners across nearly 15 customer locations in just six months – demonstrating Flagship’s commitment to cleanliness, innovation, and operational excellence and SBRA’s commitment to delivering business value for operations from enterprise-scale, strategic integration projects.

Flagship’s fleet of SBRA cobots features four types of solutions: the Scrubber 50, Vacuum 40, Phantas, and Whiz. These cobots perform a wide range of tasks, including vacuuming, scrubbing, sweeping, and dust mopping on various types of hard and soft flooring.

The cobot deployment process utilizes experienced specialists to optimize the program inside of the environment and day-to-day operations. This includes hands-on training to ensure janitorial teams can effectively manage and collaborate with the technology. Since Flagship’s first deployment, cobots have operated for almost 10,000 hours and cleaned more than 35 million square feet.

“This rapid integration reflects our commitment to deliver effective robotic solutions in complex environments like airports and highlights our focus on transforming the way work gets done. This includes training janitorial teams to successfully manage and utilize these advanced technologies within an optimized work schedule,” said Kate Kidd, Head of New Product at SBRA.

The integration of cobots has elevated the role of janitorial staff by expanding their responsibilities to include oversight and management of advanced technology. The program has also resulted in more streamlined cleaning processes, enabling janitorial staff to focus on other high-value tasks, such as cleaning restrooms and responding to customer needs.

Their efficient operation can also extend the life of airport assets, such as carpet and flooring. Through precise and regular cleaning, cobots help preserve these assets, reducing wear and tear and delaying the need for costly replacements.

Furthermore, cobots serve as a visible reminder of an airport’s commitment to passenger well-being. They not only ensure a pristine environment but also enhance the overall airport experience, leading to increased passenger satisfaction scores and trust in airports’ dedication to high cleanliness standards and technological advancement.

Flagship has plans to continue its expansion of the SoftBank Robotics program across key accounts and new contracts. This expansion is ushering in a new standard of airport cleanliness while also establishing a benchmark for operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction in the aviation industry.

For more information about the SoftBank Robotics program, visit the Services page.

For more information about Flagship’s airport cleaning services, visit the aviation services page.

About Flagship
Flagship Facility Services is a facilities maintenance company headquartered in Southlake, Texas. In 35 years, Flagship has grown from a one-person startup to a leader in the rapidly developing FM space. Flagship now provides holistic solutions to more than 1,800 client locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Flagship delivers unparalleled facility services that enhance operational excellence, foster sustainability, and drive innovation. The company is committed to driving exceptional customer experiences and setting new benchmarks for quality and collaboration across the aviation, business and industrial, and Life Sciences sectors.

About SoftBank Robotics America
SoftBank Robotics America is the North American arm of SoftBank Robotics. SoftBank Robotics is driving technology forward by becoming a worldwide leader in robotics solutions. Rapidly expanding with offices in Tokyo, San Francisco, Boston, London, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Singapore, Sydney, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, SoftBank Robotics is constantly exploring and commercializing robotics solutions that help make people’s lives easier, safer, more connected, and more extraordinary. SoftBank Robotics’ robots are used in more than 70 countries worldwide and we offer innovative applications relevant in the fields of retail, tourism, healthcare, finance, education, facilities management, cleaning, warehouse, and logistics. For more information on SoftBank Robotics America, please visit us.softbankrobotics.com.
 
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Media Contact: karen.wood-maris@softbankrobotics.com