As labor shortages continue to impact various industries, the integration of automation and intelligence has become essential. Canada-based Cyberworks Robotics is developing self-driving technology for mobile machines and vehicles. Their solution, the Retrofit Autonomous Vehicle System (RAVS), has gained traction in Canada and the US, enabling the company to expand its presence and explore new opportunities in the Asian market.
Enhancing Efficiency through Autonomous Navigation
Cyberworks Robotics, founded eight years ago, specializes in level 5 autonomous navigation technology for industrial equipment. CEO Vivek Burhanpurkar emphasizes the versatility of their solution, which can be deployed across different environments, allowing vehicles to navigate areas while avoiding obstacles and interacting safely with people.
Successful Implementation at Airports
Recently, Cyberworks conducted a pilot program at a major international airport in the US. By equipping floor cleaning machines with their autonomous navigation technology, the company facilitated integration with the airport staff. Within just 15 minutes, the staff members were able to operate the machines independently. The technology employed a learning algorithm that observed and replicated the behaviors of human operators. As a result, janitors could simply press a button the following day, and the machine would autonomously clean the entire airport, mimicking their previous day’s work.
Revolutionizing Material Handling in Greenhouses
Cyberworks Robotics has also made strides in the agricultural sector. At a Canadian greenhouse, workers used to manually transport heavy plants from one location to another, a labor-intensive and physically demanding task. To alleviate this burden, the greenhouse integrated 18 autonomous tow tugs provided by Cyberworks. The successful implementation of these tow tugs resulted in a subsequent order of 50 more units for the same facility. This solution not only enhances efficiency but also reduces the strain on workers.
Sky Lane: Augmenting Self-Driving Navigation
To address challenges in scaling up self-driving technology adoption, Cyberworks Robotics developed Sky Lane, a navigation system that complements the widely used simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approach. By utilizing features in the ceiling, Sky Lane synthesizes lines that serve as navigational lanes for the machines. This technology ensures continuous operation until the next significant feature is detected on the ground. Sky Lane is a crucial component in realizing widespread adoption of self-driving technology in the industrial sector.
Streamlined Adaptability and Cost Reduction
Cyberworks Robotics has spent 5 years developing a modular technology base that seamlessly integrates with various equipment. Unlike competitors, Cyberworks can apply its technology to new products within weeks, significantly reducing development time and cost. This adaptability benefits equipment manufacturers by enabling them to incorporate self-driving technology without substantial investment.
Expansion in the APAC Market
With the potential to eliminate labor costs, Cyberworks’ autonomous navigation technology has garnered interest in markets where labor expenses are high. After establishing a presence in its home market and the US, the company now aims to expand in the Asia Pacific region, targeting countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Australia. To achieve this goal, they seek partnerships with regional manufacturers to integrate their technology into existing products, providing sales and support throughout the region. The company is also actively engaged in licensing discussions, exploring partnerships with South Korean and Taiwanese companies.
By partnering with manufacturers and pursuing licensing opportunities, the company aims to bring its self-driving technology to industries with high labor costs, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for industrial equipment.
