The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent nationwide quarantine have proven the value of accessible automation to enterprises. Dallas-headquartered AT&T Communications has formed a new collaboration to take advantage of that—enabling robotics for retailers and other essential businesses.
Together with AI company Brain Corp, AT&T will support data-rich IoT applications for autonomous mobile robots. The robots will be able to perform tasks like clean, deliver inventory, and provide shelf analytics. In the time of COVID-19, this helps keep workers—and the general public—safe during daily operations.
Brain Corp technology, a cloud-enabled artificial intelligence platform, will help large-scale equipment manufacturers create the robots, and AT&T’s highly secure cellular connectivity will provide retailers with more efficient capabilities. The robots can be quickly deployed with no custom infrastructure or training required.
The new partnership will help Brain Corp expand its robotic application portfolio for businesses looking to adapt in the now everchanging world, according to David Pinn, Brain Corp’s SVP of strategy. “Freeing up time for workers so they can focus on important duties like cleaning high-contact surfaces, restocking, and assisting customers has never been more important,” he said.
Currently, San Diego-based Brain Corp is providing more than a quarter million autonomous hours a month for retailers and essential businesses. And, Brain Corp has already deployed/enabled around 10,000 automated floor scrubbers, vacuum sweepers, and delivery robots around the world.
“The health crisis is a clear example of how advanced technology and IoT solutions can radically improve the way we approach and solve societal challenges,” Chris Penrose, SVP of Advanced Solutions at AT&T, said in a statement. “Working with Brain Corp shows how innovative technologies can be quickly deployed to meet urgent needs of those working in essential businesses and on the front lines.”
AT&T also announced a second partnership related to IoT cellular connectivity: The telecom company has joined forces with XENEX on germ-zapping robots that help hospitals fight infections through UV light that deactivates deadly pathogens.
AT&T has a multifaceted response plan to COVID-19. We’ve previously told you about its telehealth collaborations with RingCentral and Plano-based VitalTech.
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