Global cleaning giant Nilfisk and Blue Ocean Robotics have entered a strategic partnership to develop intelligent cleaning machines and robots for both the Danish and global markets.

The partnership complements Nilfisk's existing robotics activities – and the Danish company expects up to 10 percent of its turnover will come from autonomous machines – or robotics – within the next 5-7 years.

Hans Henrik Lund, CEO of Nilfisk, says the partnership is a further step toward meeting customer needs for accurate and reliable cleaning.

Labour now accounts for about 70 percent of the cost of professional cleaning.

And the cleaning industry is one of the industries with the highest employee turnover.

“We therefore experience a significant need among our customers to introduce autonomous machines that can solve standardized cleaning tasks so that cleaning operators can be used for other assignments,” said Mr Lund.

Nilfisk is already well underway with its technological transformation, he said.

“We have a clear strategy to develop our product portfolio in partnership with highly-specialized technology companies that are the best in their field.

“We already have good experiences with this, and we are looking forward to starting this partnership with Blue Ocean Robotics.”

Disruptive innovation

Nilfisk and Blue Ocean Robotics, also headquartered in Denmark, will develop selected Nilfisk products in close collaboration with key customers from the cleaning industry.

The process is a highly proven approach for the Funen-based robot company, which has built its business on so-called "disruptive innovation".

This includes, among other things, a number of integrated technology platforms (TP-X) and a solid partnership model (RoBi-X), where Blue Ocean Robotics – in collaboration with the partner – drives development and technology, while the partnering companies are responsible for sales, service and production.

The Co-CEOs of Blue Ocean Robotics, Claus Risager, Rune K. Larsen and John Erland Østergaard say there is a great match between the technologies and competencies of Blue Ocean Robotics, and Nilfisk’s solid market position.

Robots of the future for the cleaning industry

“It provides an optimal environment for creating the robots of the future for the cleaning industry, which will undoubtedly gradually change its character over the coming years,” they said in a joint statement.

“At the same time, it is gratifying that two Danish companies have joined forces.

“Co-creation partnerships like these will bode well for the future and will draw attention internationally in both the cleaning industry and the robot industry, where Denmark plays a significant role.”

The chairman of Blue Ocean Robotics, Jørn Tolstrup Rohde said: “This strategic partnership with Nilfisk gives Blue Ocean Robotics the impetus for introducing the company's technology platform, TP-X, in a broader context than previously.

“There is no doubt that both companies are moving in a very exciting direction, and this partnership will support that.”