Around the World · November 6, 2026
Tokyo office tower tests a Swiss robot built to clean restrooms
This announcement was published on August 24, 2026. We chose it because the trial is ongoing and no more recent international story offered as much practical value this week.
Japanese developer Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate and AI firm JDSC have begun testing Loki, a restroom-cleaning robot made by Switzerland's Loki Robotics, in one of the developer's own office buildings. SoftBank Robotics is supplying the robot and remote operations under a memorandum of understanding.
The companies say it is the first trial of Loki in a Japanese office building. Their announcement is direct about the reason: building-maintenance labour is getting scarce, and washrooms are among the most demanding areas to staff.
The first phase is not about replacing anyone overnight. It tests whether the robot suits Japanese restroom fixtures and cleaning standards, and designs the practical details: schedules, what happens when something goes wrong, and which tasks stay with people.
Why it matters: Floor-scrubbing robots are already common. Restrooms are a much harder test, and how this trial divides work between people and machines is worth watching.
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