SIMPPLE Ltd. deploys 89 autonomous cleaning robots on three Singapore MRT lines

SIMPPLE Ltd., a Singapore-based technology provider and innovator in the facilities management sector, announced that through its subsidiary, the company had completed the sale and successful deployment of 89 autonomous cleaning robots across Singapore, marking the largest robotic fleet in the land transport sector with rail operator SMRT Trains.

Aligned with the broader Singapore Government initiative to push towards greater automation and digital transformation, SMRT Trains awarded the autonomous cleaning robot contract to SIMPPLE’s subsidiary to deploy across three major train lines of Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. The aggregate contract value with SMRT Trains remains undisclosed.

Sensors, AI power cleaning robots

These robots utilize advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to navigate through MRT stations with precision, ensuring a more thorough and consistent clean without human intervention. Intended to significantly accelerate the speed and efficiency of cleaning operations, these robots relieve the cleaning workforce of strenuous and repetitive tasks.

As demand for environmental services continues to rise, driven by economic sophistication and urbanization, public expectations on maintaining good standards of public hygiene remain high amidst Singapore’s international reputation as a Clean and Green city. However, according to SIMPPLE, Ltd., the tight labor market and aging workforce in Singapore compel forward-looking enterprises like SMRT Trains to adopt new technologies like SIMPPLE’s robotics to complement an already lean workforce while enabling existing staff to focus on more complex tasks.

"We are thrilled to supply our robots all across Singapore’s MRT stations,” said Norman Schroeder, chief executive of SIMPPLE Ltd. “Partnering with SMRT Trains to transform facility management operations with autonomous cleaning robots is a step in the right direction as Singapore transitions to outcome-based contracting.”

As part of the contract to work in tandem with the cleaning workforce, SIMPPLE also trained the cleaners at the MRT stations to operate robots, analyze robot-collected data and project trends to optimize workflows to maximize efficiency.

Over the past months, SMRT Trains has witnessed a cleaner environment and a more productive workforce. These autonomous cleaning robots clean a defined area three times faster than workers, which in turn, frees up time for them to focus on restroom cleanliness and productive task assignments.

As a result of these improvements, SMRT Trains was recently recognized as the Organization (Public Sector) of the Year at the Let’s Observe Ourselves (LOO) Award Ceremony in November 2024. Organizations are nominated based on their efforts in promoting and enhancing the standard of restroom cleanliness as well as adoption of smart offerings on amenities maintenance.

“We celebrate SMRT Trains’ tech-progressive mindset and achievement for this LOO award,” Schroeder said. “This deployment to supply 89 robots marks our strategic expansion into the rail transport sector in Singapore, and possibly more going forward. SIMPPLE stands ready to support all other overseas rail operators in their own countries with our autonomous cleaning robotics solutions.”