EasyX's new cleaning robot can wash vertically along smooth surfaces.

This is why the Bergen-based startup believes the robot can revolutionize the cleaning of fish tanks in land-based aquaculture and hatcheries.

The ability to operate on vertical surfaces, regardless of material, makes it work well in these types of facilities, says CEO Sindre Hansen.

Got help from painting robot‍

The idea for the cleaning robot came when the founders, Sindre and Bård Hansen (the latter is the company's CTO), were about to paint a house wall. Like many others, they found it to be a tedious process.

They decided to streamline the process and simply built a robot assistant that could "climb" along the walls and paint for them.

I live in a condominium, so there were many "curious" neighbors wondering what was going on when they saw it driving up and down the wall, says Sindre Hansen.
With the name "xAQ-1," one might mistake it for one of the children of Elon Musk and the artist Grimes. But this is a vertical cleaning robot adapted for fish tanks in land-based aquaculture. Eker Design has contributed to the design. Photo: Tina Totland Jenssen

‍

Then the question arose whether it was possible to create one to clean the tanks in land-based facilities and hatcheries.

Slippery as soap‍

However, the walls of fish tanks are quite different from a house wall.

– Why did we start such a crazy project as trying to get something to stick to a surface as slippery as soap?

Hansen follows up his own question by pointing out the HSE risks associated with manual cleaning. For the personnel doing the washing, it is physically demanding. They have to cover a large surface area and work at heights to reach everywhere. In addition, strong chemicals are involved.

‍

EasyX plans to focus on a rental model. The project started in 2022, and since the turn of the year 2022/2023, they have had Mowi on board as a development partner. Photo: EasyX

‍

The new robot can be operated by remote control. By the end of the year, the goal is to have developed a robot capable enough for trained personnel at the facility to operate it themselves. For now, EasyX has been at the controls.

Developing an autonomous robot‍

The cleaning robot stays attached to the wall using negative pressure, also known as vacuum technology. In addition, it has anti-slip tracks, Hansen explains. This allows it to attach to all types of materials.

The goal is to have the first self-driving cleaning robot ready by the first quarter of 2026.

Our biggest competitor is <aux translate="no">by far</aux> manual cleaning, Hansen tells iLaks.

‍

Read the full storyhere

← Tilbake til nyheter og innsikt