Wifundity’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) start at dusk. This is when office workers go home to their families. The robots emit UV rays to kill viruses and germs in the air, while they walk down the hallways of office buildings. They can also be used to disinfect conference rooms and doorknobs that are frequented by people. Once they are done with their work, AMRs return to the hubs to recharge.
These AMRs can be found in shopping malls and exhibition centers, offices, parking lots and other places this year. The AI and Robotic AMR division of Wistron Corporation, which is its creator, will also implement more than 20 projects in these areas with their strategic partners.
Dominic Huang, Wistron deputy GM, Business Unit III & AI & Robotic AMR division vertical group business group, explained to DIGITIMES that “Wifundity”, is a combination of “Wistron”, “profundity” and “Wistron”.
“We started as an internal project, and received the support from the group to conduct research and development. This included visiting the iREX robotics exhibition in Japan to gather information about the market. Huang stated that Wifundity robots will be modularized in the first instance because they want users to be able to upgrade their robots quickly and use different applications to create unique user experiences.
Wifundity, like most AMRs, has sensors. It can overcome obstacles and slow down or stop with artificial intelligence (AI). It can also change its behavior mode automatically according to the modules that are mounted on the core platform.
“Wifundity has many applications in the service sector. It also has access points that can integrate with the roller or lift on shelves or assembly lines of factories,” Huang said. He added that Toshiba had collaborated with them to mount robotic arms onto the Wifundity core platform, and transform the AMR into an AMR cobot.
Robots can do dangerous, repetitive, and low-value work
What inspired Wistron to create robots as a service provider for electronic manufacturing services for consumer devices? “We realized that low birthrates are a major problem in many countries. Huang stressed that the vision of Wifundity is to improve the value of mankind and not replace them with robots. “We hope that robots can be used to do repetitive, dangerous and monotonous work so people can spend more time doing things that they are good at, such as interpersonal communication.
Wifundity AMRs can be used to treat pollutants and controlled drugs in hospitals, or to dispose of high-risk wastes at industrial sites. “UV disinfection robots can disinfect quarantine rooms before cleaners enter. This will reduce the risk of infection because workers are still exposed to viruses in the atmosphere, even if they have masks and personal protective gear (PPE).
Modularization is a beautiful thing
Wifundity is different from other companies that make stand-alone robots using a module design. It can be equipped with a UVC module to make it a disinfection robotic. It can be equipped with a delivery device module that makes it a delivery machine. It can be mounted on the core platform to display a kiosk and interact with customers.
Different applications can be implemented by different modules using the same core platform. You can perform different functions by mounting different payloads in different scenarios. All robots can be managed from the same dashboard. Huang stated that components and parts in Wifundity AMR are also made in modules.
Wistron developed a cloud dashboard platform that allows users to monitor all robots in different locations. Huang said that robots can now go upstairs and downstairs by using elevators. He also said that the platform can control the elevator system.
Wifundity is a collection of products that are managed at cloud level and not standalone products. Their business model is “platform as a Service (PaaS)” where customers can purchase robots and then subscribe to the platform service for monthly fees and receive software updates. Wistron offers the flexibility of offering “Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS)” where customers can lease robots and subscribe the platform service. Huang said that software is aggregated in many clusters. This is similar to Microsoft 365. “We charge by clusters of AI selected and selected by customers, which makes us highly flexible.”
Huang said that Wifundity modularization reduces carbon emissions and material waste, and also helps customers avoid repeat capital expenditure. This allows them to save money, and put it towards improving their operations or the well-being their employees.
Modularization allows users to control both robots in parking lots as well as in food courts from the same cloud platform. Huang said that it would not be possible to have different functions for robots belonging to different systems. Huang also highlighted the fact that data collected from Wifundity robots will be transmitted onto the cloud in order to gain business insights and data analytics.
Wifundity is better for the environment than other robot platforms. Users can simply replace the MCU/IPC to improve the function of their robots.
He stressed that modularization is Wistron’s value proposition for AMR and that the consortium has a greater vision at the group level. Wistron has made investments in green energy and recycling lithium batteries. “We also recycle plastic wastes and reproduce them to try to be as eco-friendly as possible.”
Collaborations with business associates
Wistron’s strategic partner can also use the cloud platform in order to save time and develop new modules for different functions. One example is the robots that can mop floors. These robots were developed by one the strategic partners, and not Wistron. Collaboration with partners can also help create more apps, improve the services, and expand market faster than attempting to do it all alone.
Castec International Corp., and Advantech in smart manufacturing are their strategic partners. Wifundity robots will also provide services to Cathay Life Insurance’s office building assets. Cathay Life Insurance is Taiwan’s largest landlord of office and commercial space. Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection Co., (FETC), will be working with Wifundity to address parking-lot issues. Tri-Service General Hospital and National Taiwan University Hospital will also deploy Wifundity robotics to service their hospital floors. UnaBiz, a SigFox communications startup is their partner for sensor communication technology.
Wifundity also signed a long-term deal with Nankang Exhibition Center in order to provide disinfection service throughout the year for exhibitions held at their venues.
Overseas market expansion
Will Wistron be able to spin off the AI/Robotic division that created Wifundity? Huang stated that there is a target for an IPO within the next three years. However, it all depends on how the business grows.
Huang stated, “In the coming years, we expect rapid improvements in artificial intelligence technologies at Wistron,” Huang added. When robots become smarter and more capable of remote operation and visual AI, customer acceptance will also rise.
Huang stated that they have already spoken to companies in Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia about their plans to expand into overseas markets. Huang said that they are seeing eye to eye with us about the need for robots to handle low-value-added work, while allowing humans to do more complex work in the post-pandemic period. He also stated that robot dispatch services are becoming more popular.
Dominic Huang, Wistron deputy GM and Robotic AMR division Vertical Business Group
Photo by DIGITIMES
Wifundity robot for smart manufacturing.
Photo by DIGITIMES
Wifundity robot for retail kiosk mode
Photo by DIGITIMES