New product of Panasonic's commercial robot vacuum cleaner "RULO Pro" to be released in March (provided by the company)

Due to the prolonged damage of the new coronavirus, the demand for commercial robot vacuum cleaners for cleaning buildings and commercial facilities is increasing and the market is expanding. In March, Panasonic released a type compatible with large spaces. The product developed by Softbank Robotics (Tokyo) has become the world's top market share in just over a year after its release. In addition to increasing hygiene awareness for infection control, labor saving movements in the food service and food service industries are increasing, and it seems that more and more companies are deciding to introduce it. The mainstream of domestic commercial robot vacuum cleaners is the type that sucks up dust on the floor, and there are various products from large ones used in buildings and warehouses to small ones for offices. According to Panasonic, the number of companies introducing commercial robot vacuum cleaners has increased since the first year of Reiwa due to the labor shortage in the cleaning industry. Demand is expected to grow further due to the Korona-ka, and the domestic market size, which was less than 5 billion yen in the first year, is expected to reach 15 billion yen in 2006. In response to market trends, the company will release a new model of the robot vacuum cleaner "RULO Pro" for building maintenance cleaning work from March. Equipped with a long-distance laser sensor, it can detect a wall surface up to about 25 meters away and grasp its position to clean a wide area such as an entrance hall. It also has a function to create a map of the cleaning area, and cleaning can be automated once it is scanned. Currently, it specializes in dust collection functions, but as demand for sterilization is increasing, the person in charge at the company said, "I would like to consider whether we can utilize our Nanoe technology, which has a sterilizing effect. ". "Whiz" developed by Softbank Robotics (Tokyo) has succeeded in targeting the food service industry. Over a year after its launch in May of the first year, the total number of units sold worldwide has exceeded 10,000, making it the number one market share for commercial robot vacuum cleaners. Together with its successor, With Eye, it will be introduced by 2500 domestic companies such as restaurant chains Saizeriya and Denny's. Equipped with a "HEPA filter" that collects fine particles, the monthly rental fee was as low as around 40,000 yen, which led to its widespread use. Makita, a major power tool company, sells small products for offices. "Inquiries from companies concerned about the risk of infection due to the comings and goings of people have increased due to the corona virus," said the person in charge. In November last year, a new product with a function to memorize the shape of the room was released. (Hiroshi Kuwashima)