#Japan #Kawasaki #NEC Facilities #ugo mini #FM-Base

Innovations in Facility Management: The Role of Robots

NEC Facilities has taken a significant step forward in the realm of facility management by launching a pilot project that employs robotic technology for electrical inspections. This initiative is being carried out at the upcoming NEC Innovation Building, located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is set to open its doors in April.

At the heart of this project is the innovative ugo mini robot, developed by the startup ugo Corporation, which specializes in developing operational DX (Digital Transformation) robots. During the pilot, the ugo mini autonomously navigates through rooms filled with electrical equipment, efficiently reading various meters placed along its inspection route using its built-in camera. Each piece of data collected is automatically uploaded to a database for record-keeping and management, streamlining the entire inspection process.

The joint effort aims to test the efficacy of executing inspections with one staff member accompanied by the robot, as opposed to the traditional method that required two people. This transition not only enhances operational efficiency but also allows the human staff member to focus on other essential tasks while the robotic assistant conducts its checks. The collaboration of human resources and robot technology in inspection duties signifies a potential transformation in how facility management operates.

The Need for Innovation in Facility Management

NEC Facilities operates within a diverse spectrum of industries, including semiconductor and electronic components, pharmaceuticals, automotive factories, and data centers. They provide integrated facility management (IFM) services by seamlessly connecting construction, environment, and facility management. In recent years, the sector has faced mounting challenges, including a shortage of manpower and the need to elevate safety and quality standards while advancing the digitization of inspection tasks.

Electric equipment inspections have become particularly challenging, as they involve manually observing and recording measurements from numerous scattered instruments, thus underscoring the necessity for improved efficiency within these operations. The inclusion of robotic technology addresses these challenges head-on, creating a more streamlined and effective process.

Collaborating for Success

The pilot experiment is part of NEC's commitment to open innovation, with contributions from NEC Solution Innovators, who possess expertise in autonomous navigation technology. This collaborative endeavor is poised to be replicated at NEC Facilities’ training and research center, FM-Base®, further exploring the utility of robotics in facility management.

In the future, NEC Facilities plans to utilize the insights from this pilot project to incorporate robots into wider inspection tasks, evaluating both the range of equipment that can be inspected by robots and the corresponding efficiencies gained. This endeavor marks a step toward an advanced facility management landscape, leaning heavily on technologies that promote operational excellence.

As the pilot progresses, the expectation is that findings will not only pave the way towards expanded use of robotics in facility management but also lead to tangible improvements in workforce efficiency and inspection accuracy.

The innovative spirit demonstrated by NEC Facilities is emblematic of a broader trend in the industry—leveraging technology to overcome persistent logistical challenges and enhancing the capabilities of human workers in tandem with robotic systems.

In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, initiatives like this could redefine the future of facility management, enabling organizations to do more with less, while also ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability for the facilities they oversee.