Metthier, a local smart facility management service provider, has launched the country's first intelligent patrol robot powered by artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, and cloud technologies to bolster its security service.
The MettBot GR3000L is being operated on a trial basis at the Iconsiam shopping complex.
The model of robot being used -- a MettBot GR3000L -- is operating on a trial basis at the shopping complex Iconsiam, one of Metthier's clients.
The move aims to cash in on the growing smart facility management business segment, which is worth billions of baht. The segment continues to steadily expand with growth expected to reach up to 10% this year.
Kayon Tantichatiwat, chief executive of Metthier, told the Bangkok Post that the facility management service ecosystem has been changing and recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Customer demand for smart solutions to increase operating efficiency and reduce costs continues to grow, driven by AI and green economy trends as well as net-zero carbon policies.
Mr Kayon added that the company is rapidly expanding this business to serve the growing demand for smart facility management solutions.
He said the MettBot GR3000L robot was jointly developed by the company and a Chinese robot manufacturer. The company currently has only one MettBot GR3000L.
In addition, Metthier currently provides 10 intelligent cleaning robots to its corporate customers, including King Power, hospitals, and the Government Complex.
The company began providing the intelligent cleaning robots early this year. The software for this model of robot was jointly developed by Metthier and another Chinese partner.
Mr Kayon said Metthier is set to import another 10 intelligent cleaning robots to serve market demand.
The MettBot GR3000L is more complex than the cleaning robot as it has multifunctional intelligent equipment integrated with sensors for environmental perception, dynamic decision-making, and alarm systems.
It can achieve autonomous perception, automatic navigation, obstacle avoidance and object recognition. It has been designed to assist workers to do basic, repetitive and hazardous tasks.
The patrol robot can be widely used in government office areas, enterprise parks, industrial parks, university campuses, transportation hubs, shopping centres and other important places.
Its features include advanced multi-sensor fusion positioning and navigation technology, and a monitoring capability so that there are no blind spots when it comes to panoramic monitoring. It also has a controlling capability through a remote operation platform and history tracing, and supports 4G/5G wireless broadband systems and a local area network system.
Mr Kayon said the patrol robot's functional operations includes auto-patrol, according to a set patrol plan, a One-Click Arrival feature once the administrator specifies the task's location on a map, auto-charge for the power, tele-control, audio and video playback, and an abnormal alarm.
Metthier has over 6,000 security guards and maids in its primary workforce. It has also enhanced its service efficiency using various technologies including Metthier Intelligent Operation Center, AI closed circuit television, 3D visualisation, digital mapping, and smart robotics. It also has the MettLink platform which connects security guards and maids in real-time.
Metthier recently revised up its total revenue target this year to 1.8 billion baht, representing 30% growth, in line with the steady expansion of its business. This is higher than the previous target of 1.5 billion baht, representing 15% growth.
The company's three core businesses are smart facility management, security-as-a-service platforms, and traditional facility management.
Metthier has been shifting from traditional security and cleaning businesses towards service integration with technology to enhance safety and improve quality of life for customers, Mr Kayon added.
The company's customers include over 300 leading private sector organisations across various industries.
