TOKYO -- SoftBank Group on Monday launched an office-use vacuum robot powered by artificial intelligence, envisioning the product as a key to expanding its robotics operations.
The Whiz can vacuum 1,500 sq. meters in three hours, moving along a route that a human needs to "teach" it just once. Sensors and a three-dimensional camera allow it to dodge obstacles. It will be available in Japan beginning next March for a monthly rental charge of 25,000 yen ($222), and is set to hit overseas markets by the end of fiscal 2019.
