Editor-Curated Robotics Industry Briefing - RobotToday

Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Begins Domestic Trials of Loki Cleaning Robot with JDSC and SoftBank Robotics

Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate and JDSC have announced the start of domestic trials for the Loki cleaning robot, developed by Loki Robotics in Switzerland. This initiative aims to innovate building maintenance operations in next-generation smart buildings, addressing the growing demand for automation in high-workload areas like restroom cleaning due to a shortage of maintenance personnel. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding among Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate, JDSC, and SoftBank Robotics, seeks to validate the cleaning quality and environmental compatibility of Loki within Japan's office buildings. The first phase of trials is set to begin in August 2026, starting with the introduction of Loki in Nippon Steel Kowa's own office building to assess its operational compatibility and remote operation capabilities. Following the initial trials, the three companies will develop a phased operational design tailored to Japan's building environments and cleaning operations. They will also explore the potential for expanding Loki's deployment to other properties managed by Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate based on insights gained from the trials. This initiative represents a significant step toward establishing a practical model for cleaning robots in Japan's building maintenance sector.