New Zealand Captis deployment makes the news

New Zealand Captis deployment makes the news

May 29, 2025 | Autonomous Cycle Counting, Case Studies, In The News

By Cypher Robotics

 

It’s always nice when someone takes note of what you’re doing. And it’s particularly nice when that someone is mainstream media.

This week, both the New Zealand Herald and major New Zealand radio station NewstalkZB picked up on our deployment in Auckland. They did so because there’s actual news here.

Our trial deployment in New Zealand is a partnership with the country’s leading telco, Spark (more on that relationship here). It’s also a partnership with Ericsson, the world’s largest provider of telecommunications hardware. Odds are, your mobile plan runs on a network built by Ericsson.

As large companies increasingly embrace automation and the Industry 4.0 space, demand is growing for private 5G networks. These enable secure, low-latency closed networks for all the data throughput required by smart, interconnected devices.

The news here is that Air New Zealand, which has a stated goal to be “a leading digital airline globally,” has – in conjunction with Spark and Ericsson – installed the country’s first private 5G network at its Auckland warehouse. That network has been installed so our Captis cycle counting solution can operate securely and at peak efficiency in its 9,000 square metre (53,800 square feet) facility.

We’ll get into more details in a moment, but this brief radio interview with Spark New Zealand’s Customer Director for Enterprise and Government, Mark Beder, provides a great overview.

WHAT WE’RE DOING

 

Our Captis cycle-counting and precision scanning solution is an autonomous mobile robot about one metre high. Using powerful compute, machine vision and an autonomy software stack, Captis can navigate even massive warehouses on five-hour missions before returning to a wireless recharge base. It can carry out precision scans for digital twins while carrying out its other work. No infrastructure changes are required.

That other work involves a tethered drone that rests on top of Captis. When Captis heads down aisles, the drone ascends and scans any codes on warehouse stock. It counts that stock as it goes, with all data instantly uploaded to a client’s Warehouse Management Software or Warehouse Execution Software. (An additional module can replace the drone for RFID captures in, say, a showroom setting.)

Our deployment in New Zealand is a first for that country, and Spark believes it heralds the beginning of wider adoption of private 5G networks.

“It’s really exciting to have the first one under way and it really is a good test for us to really figure out how we can also solve different types of problems,” Spark’s Mark Beder told the New Zealand Herald.

In the same article, Ericsson’s Head of Enterprise for Private 5G networks Ian Ross said Air New Zealand’s warehouse is “a very complex radio environment,” adding ““Wi-Fi has struggles providing a good signal quality in the depths of the aisles, particularly with the height of the racks, where we find 5G is optimised for this type of environment.”

 

DEPLOYMENTS

 

Providing one of the flagship pieces of technology for this venture is a huge opportunity for Cypher Robotics. But it’s not the first. The company has been carrying out trials for more than a year with one of Canada’s leading retail outlets – a company that has hundreds of large warehouses across the country and large turnover of its retail projects. Captis has been scanning in one of those warehouses – and another unit is about to be deployed in a second location.

“Captis has been proven in Canadian trials,” says Cypher Robotics Founder and CEO Peter King. “The partnership with Spark, Ericsson and Air New Zealand allows us to operate in a private 5G network environment – which is a first for us. We look forward to helping to demonstrate the benefits of these networks in an Industry 4.0 setting.”

Below: Cypher Robotics Founder/CEO Peter King at Air New Zealand’s Auckland warehouse

Cypher Captis App Spark Accelerate Peter King

CYPHER’S TAKE

 

We’re obviously pleased to be taking part in this trial in New Zealand – especially since it involves that country’s first private 5G network. It’s also gratifying to see coverage from the news media.

“This is a highly significant deployment for Cypher Robotics – and the first outside of Canada,” explains Peter King. “We’re grateful for our robust partnerships with Spark, Ericsson and Air New Zealand as we demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy Captis brings to cycle-counting within a private 5G network setting.”

If you missed it the first time around, here’s a link to that New Zealand Herald story.

Cypher, Ericsson share the stage at Detroit’s big Automate 2025 show

Cypher, Ericsson share the stage at Detroit’s big Automate 2025 show

May 13, 2025 | Autonomous Cycle Counting, In The News, Precision Scanning

By Cypher Robotics

 

Greetings from Detroit, where Cypher Robotics is pleased to be sharing a booth with telecom leader Ericsson at the big Automate 2025 show. More than 40,000 people are attending, so it’s a pretty big deal.

Specifically, we’re displaying our cycle counting solution, Captis, alongside Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions division. Captis is an autonomous mobile robot that can capture inventory in even massive warehouses in a single five-hour shift.

It does so in one of two ways. In the back end of a warehouse, a tethered drone ascends from the Captis AMR base. That drone scans product codes as the AMR moves its way autonomously down the aisles. All data is uploaded in realtime to existing warehouse management software.

By swapping out the drone’s “nest” for a different module on top of Captis, the system is capable of capturing RFID tags. We’ve found this particularly useful for getting an accurate count in showrooms, where stock is frequently sold directly from the floor. (And yes, Captis can do this work while customers are in the store.) Captis can also, we should note, carry out precision scans for digital twins while it’s on the job.

But there’s a secret sauce here that really enables Captis to shine in an Industry 4.0 setting: A private 5G network. And that…is the reason we’ve joined Ericsson at Automate 2025.

Below: Captis and its tethered drone, ready for another warehouse shift…

Captis with drone

THE 5G CONNECTION

 

If you’re not aware, Ericsson is the world leader in telecommunications hardware and software. If you’ve got a cell phone – and who doesn’t – odds are you’re using a network built by Ericsson regardless of provider. Those are, obviously, public networks.

But Ericsson also builds private 5G networks for industry. Earlier this year, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) installed one of those networks to enhance its auto manufacturing in an Industry 4.0 setting.

“This cutting-edge networking technology is enhancing the production of Range Rover vehicles by supporting business-critical applications such as vision systems, IoT sensors, and production tools,” explains this Ericsson post. “The deployment of Ericsson Private 5G is a pivotal step for JLR in embracing Industry 4.0.”

Industry 4.0 is a highly automated setting, where smart devices communicate with each other in a low-latency, high-bandwidth, highly secure network. In addition to the ability to monitor all devices, these systems also offer predictive maintenance analytics to reduce unplanned downtime. We reached out to Ericsson for more.

“As part of their digital transformation and push towards Industry 4.0, we’re seeing manufacturers make investments in key areas like autonomy, industrial IoT devices and advanced analytics,” says Ericsson’s Jan Diekmann, the company’s Global vertical lead manufacturing – Private 5G Networks.

But why not simply hop on your local cellular provider network?

“If you use a public network, your data goes through that public network,” says Diekmann. “If you have a private network, you get the security that comes with having the data managed by you. You control who sees it, where it goes. You can also accommodate a high density of devices in a small area – which is critical in an Industry 4.0 setting.”

 

THE CYPHER CONNECTION

 

So how do you demonstrate the benefits of a private 5G network to industry? It’s not like you can point to invisible data flying through the ether.

That’s where Cypher Robotics and Captis come in. Because these devices are intended for an Industry 4.0 setting, they’re a tangible way to demonstrate the benefits of such networks.

“That’s the reason we like to showcase use-cases. We’re really trying to help manufacturers see the value of a private 5G network and bring the concept to life,” adds Diekmann.

Below: Cypher Robotics Founder and CEO Peter King, left, along with partners Ericsson and Slolam Consulting

Peter King with Ericsson, Slolam Consulting Hannover Messe 2025

THE VIEW FROM CYPHER

 

We’re obviously pleased that Ericsson wanted Cypher Robotics onboard for Automate 2025. It’s an important show – and a great way to get our solution in front of additional potential clients.

We’re equally pleased to help Ericsson showcase how private 5G networks will, over time, become ubiquitous in the Industry 4.0 landscape.

If you’d like more information about the Captis solution, feel free to get in touch here.

Cypher Robotics, Ericsson partner at Hannover Messe 2025

Cypher Robotics, Ericsson partner at Hannover Messe 2025

Apr 9, 2025 | Autonomous Cycle Counting, In The News, Precision Scanning

By Cypher Robotics

 

We’re back home now – and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.

At the end of March, we packed up Captis – our cycle counting and precision scanning solution – and flew to Germany for the big Hannover Messe 2025 show. It was a massive show of automation and other innovative technologies; some 4,000 exhibitors highlighted 10,000 products and solutions for 127,000 attendees.

“This is one of the biggest shows on the planet, and a great venue for Cypher Robotics,” explains company Founder and CEO Peter King, who attended. We partnered with Ericsson – the global leader in telecommunications hardware and software – at the event, which was also a big deal for Canada.

We were the “partner country,” which meant that Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canana was a key sponsor of the show. If you check out this highlight reel, you’ll see a robotic goalie built by an Ontario high school robotics team.

THE CAPTIS SOLUTION

 

Captis is a three-in-one device that can autonomously count inventory, scan products with RFID tags and carry out precision scans. When cycle counting in a large warehouse, a tethered drone attached to the AMR base scans all codes on missions that can last as long as five hours. All that data is transmitted wirelessly to a company’s existing Warehouse Management Software or Warehouse Execution System. It’s very much an Industry 4.0 solution.

“There was a lot of interest in Captis at Hannover Messe,” says King. “People immediately understand the value proposition.”

And so does Ericsson.

 

ERICSSON AND 5G

 

Ericsson is the global leader in providing the critical components that enable 5G networks. And, with the emphasis on IR4, continues to push the technology envelope. The firm recently announced that, in conjunction with Verizon and Qualcomm, the companies had achieved a record-breaking uplink speed of 480 Mbps.

“Emerging applications, such as smart surveillance, industrial automation, augmented reality devices and generative AI models, require massive amounts of data to be continuously uploaded for analysis, decision-making, and model training,” said Srini Kalapala, Senior Vice President of Technology and Product Development at Verizon in a news release.

AI-driven products like Captis rely on high speed networks. And, as companies embrace Industry 4.0, many are starting to opt for the security and reliability of their own, highly secure, private 5G networks.

“Products like Captis really help demonstrate how private 5G networks can help utterly transform businesses in this IR4 landscape,” says King.

Ericsson’s website concurs:

“As manufacturers modernize their operations, the need for the right connectivity has never been more critical. Data transformation in manufacturing starts with a unified connectivity platform that seamlessly integrates your existing digital assets to enable new technologies. At the heart of this transformation is 5G connectivity, delivering scalable, flexible solutions that harness massive amounts of data generated by Industrial IoT devices.”

Below: Peter King (l) with partners from Ericsson and Slolam Consulting at Hannover Messe 2025, followed by an image of Captis in a large Canadian warehouse

Peter King with Ericsson, Slolam Consulting Hannover Messe 2025
Captis with drone

THE CYPHER VIEW

 

Strategic partnerships are always important in business. Arguably, such partnerships are even more important as the world transitions more fully into Industry 4.0. All the Smart Devices in the world are meaningless without robust data pipelines, so we are very pleased to be in a partnership with Ericsson – and view it as validation of our products and vision.

“Cypher would like to thank Ericsson for the opportunity to share the stage at Hannover Messe 2025,” says Cypher Founder and CEO King. “This was a tremendous opportunity to not only showcase Captis before a global audience of decision-makers, but also to demonstrate the role private 5G networks will play in IR4.”

Interested in learning more about the Captis solution? Hit us up here. 

Cypher Robotics partners with Spark – New Zealand’s telco leader

Cypher Robotics partners with Spark – New Zealand’s telco leader

Dec 16, 2024 | Autonomous Cycle Counting, In The News, Precision Scanning

By Cypher Robotics

 

Cypher Robotics is pleased to announce a partnership with the leading telecommunications provider in New Zealand, Spark.

Spark will provide network services, specifically private 5G networks, for future deployments of the Cypher Robotics Captis system in New Zealand. Spark recently invited Cypher Robotics to present at its inaugural Spark Accelerate technology summit – which brought together business and government leaders from across the country to learn more about how AI and automation have the power to transform efficiencies when deployed over secure, private 5G networks.

You know how the US has T-Mobile and Canada has Rogers? Well, New Zealand has Spark.

“As New Zealand’s largest telecommunications and digital services provider, we’ve evolved alongside technology to meet the changing needs of our customers,” explained Spark Product Manager Kahn Mitchell during an interview from Auckland.

“Our heritage stretches back to the earliest days of telecommunications in the country, and today our ambition is to help all of New Zealand win big in a digital world. We serve everyone from consumers through to government and enterprise customers, providing the connectivity and solutions that power our nation’s digital future.”

But how did Cypher Robotics land on the radar of a telco on the other side of the world? What’s in it for Cypher – and what’s in it for Spark?

Good questions. And we’ll answer them shortly. First, though, a highlight reel from the Spark event, which was attended by Cypher CEO Peter King.

SOME BACKGROUND

 

As you’re likely aware, Cypher Robotics’ flagship product is an Autonomous Mobile Robot designed from the ground up for cycle counting and precision scans. About a meter tall, Captis can carry out missions up to five hours long in massive warehouses with no changes to infrastructure.

The compact platform contains powerful compute and sensors onboard, and can be controlled and monitored via a secure mobile app. But the real magic is that on top of Captis rests a tethered drone. As Captis makes its way down those big warehouse aisles, that drone ascends via winch-controlled tether to the optimal height for scanning products stacked up to 10 metres high.

That tether carries electricity from the base to power the drone, meaning the drone can keep flying as long as Captis can keep moving – avoiding the hassle of charging and replacing drone batteries. That same tether also handles data transfer between the drone and its base. So as the drone scans barcodes on products, data is seamlessly and securely transferred in realtime to the client’s existing warehouse management system software. The result? Instant and accurate inventory counts, without the need to place employees at risk by working at height (and saving them from the drudgery of a repetitious job most people really don’t get much satisfaction from).

That’s not all. By replacing the ‘nest’ where the drone rests, Captis can be quickly fitted with an RFID scanner – which allows it to read RFID tags on all nearby products. We’ve exhaustively tested Captis in the warehouses of a very large Canadian retailer and have proven both the system and its efficiencies. Captis is also capable of carrying out precision scans of entire facilities, producing high-resolution 2D or 3D digital twins. So it’s really a three-in-one solution.

“When we launched Captis earlier this year at the big MODEX show, it was clear people immediately understood the value proposition,” explains Cypher Robotics CEO Peter King. “What we didn’t immediately anticipate was the global demand for the product – but we certainly get that now.”

Below: King talks about the Captis solution at the big GITEX exhibition in Dubai

Peter King GITEX Cypher Robotics Captis

THE SPARK CONNECTION

 

Most of us think of telecommunications companies as our mobile phone or internet provider. And that’s certainly a large part of what they do. But as we head into a world where Smart devices, the IoT and automation play increasingly important roles, so too do the networks these companies operate.

Companies like T-Mobile, Rogers and Spark all run these networks in their respective countries. But they do not manufacture the hardware that makes those networks work. That falls to a couple of companies that make the hardware (and software) for cellular networks worldwide.

And with Industry 3.0 fast approaching, demand for private 5G networks will only grow. If you’re not familiar, Industry 3.0 refers to a future where increased automation and AI generate greater efficiencies at scale for large companies. Private 5G networks ensure they’re not sharing the data pipeline with anyone else, and that their own secure system will be available 24/7/365 with dense data throughput capabilities. And, of course, building private networks is good not only for the companies that build network hardware but also for providers like Spark, which puts considerable resources into its enterprise and government clients.

But here’s the catch. The concept of a 5G network isn’t that easy to sell without a solid product that operates over that network at the front end. Without it, you’d simply be pointing into thin air and trying to explain an invisible product. That’s why companies like T-Mobile put on events similar to Spark Accelerate. The purpose of these shows is not just to share knowledge – but to drive business. It’s a lot easier for people to understand the value of a 5G network if they can see something tangible operate on it.

One of the companies that builds 5G network hardware thought Captis might be a perfect product for Spark to showcase within the context of its own private 5G networks. So an introduction was made, and after several conversations Peter King was on his way to Auckland to present at the Accelerate event. For Spark, the importance of the business sector is clear.

“The enterprise sector presents exciting opportunities to showcase the true potential of advanced network capabilities,” explained Product Manager Kahn Mitchell.

“When you combine emerging technologies like Cypher Robotics with our network infrastructure, you create powerful solutions that drive real business outcomes. This enables our customers to achieve significant productivity gains and operational efficiencies.”

While in Auckland, King took the opportunity to do a technology demonstration, carrying out precision scans at two massive warehouses. Cypher Robotics will return in 2025 Q1 to do a full install at one of those facilities – and anticipate a second will come soon after that. Industry 3.0, indeed.

Below: The Cypher app preparing for a digital twin scan of Entelar’s distribution warehouse in Mt. Wellington, New Zealand, followed by Cypher CEO Peter King at that facility. We’ve also included the panel Peter appeared on at the Spark Accelerate event

 

Cypher Captis App Spark Accelerate
Cypher Captis App Spark Accelerate Peter King

THE CYPHER PERSPECTIVE

 

We’re obviously pleased to have developed a partnership with Spark. The company is very forward-looking – and has deep connections and insight when it comes to New Zealand’s business community. The company also really ‘gets’ Industry 3.0, and has been integrating greater automation and AI efficiencies into its own workplace.

“Spark Accelerate was a great event – one that really showcased the possibilities for the future,” says Cypher Robotics CEO Peter King. “But an even greater outcome from that trip was solidifying what I’m confident will be a long and mutually beneficial partnership with Spark. The truth is, we hadn’t planned at launch to be in the international marketplace so quickly. But with a solid partner like Spark, New Zealand became an obvious choice to start deployments beyond North America.”

We’ll have more to say on our New Zealand plans after we make that next trip. Watch this space.

Cypher Robotics puts Captis on the global stage at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 in Dubai

Cypher Robotics puts Captis on the global stage at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 in Dubai

Oct 17, 2024 | Autonomous Cycle Counting, In The News, Precision Scanning

By Scott Simmie

 

It is, as the saying goes, “The biggest show on earth.”

At least it is if you’re talking about technology and AI. We’re referring here to GITEX GLOBAL 2024, running from October 14-18 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It’s the largest and most influential tech and AI show on the planet, spanning 40 halls with 6,500 exhibitors and more than 200,000 buyers. From the largest global tech and AI firms right down to the most innovative startups, it’s all there in one place.

That also means, as an exhibitor, there’s a lot of competition for eyeballs. For example, Tesla is there with the latest iteration of its humanoid robot Optimus – which was unveiled at a splashy event hosted by Elon Musk just last week. The latest autonomous vehicles are on display, including air taxis from the coming world of Advanced Air Mobility.

It could, at a show of this magnitude, be easy for an exhibitor to get lost in the crowd. But Cypher Robotics – and its cutting-edge cycle counting/precision scanning solution Captis – is garnering plenty of attention on the world stage.

“We knew there was demand for a solution like ours, but the response has been phenomenal,” says Founder/CEO Peter King. “And the show’s not even over.”

Below: The Cypher Robotics inventory counting solution Captis, in a major Canadian warehouse where it’s been deployed for a year, followed by a video showing Captis in action

Cypher Robotics Captis

THE CAPTIS SOLUTION

 

The revolution toward Industry 4.0 – where automation and AI are intertwined for greater efficiency – is well underway. Industry leaders like Amazon are already extensively automated with robotic systems to assist with fulfilment and inventory counting. For many other large companies, however, that voyage is just beginning. And there’s tremendous interest in solutions that can bring autonomous and accurate solutions to the warehouse floor.

“The response at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has been tremendous,” says King. “And not just from retailers with large warehouses that need cycle counting and precision scanning. We’re also having serious discussions with clients from the Third Party Logistics (3PL) and healthcare sectors.”

That’s because Captis is like no other solution on the market.

“Captis can work non-stop for five hours, autonomously scanning inventory in even massive warehouses up to a height of 15 metres,” says King. “It captures data that is instantly and securely integrated with existing warehouse management platforms with 99.9 per cent accuracy. Not only does it read any kind of code on stock, it can also do RFID scanning. The efficiencies we’ve seen with our flagship client in Canada are amazing.”

Below: Cypher Robotics Founder/CEO Peter King discussing the finer points of Captis at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 in Dubai

Peter King GITEX Cypher Robotics Captis

HOW IT WORKS

 

For many companies with large warehouses, scanning is still done manually. That means workers repeatedly moving down massive aisles with a handheld scanner. It’s not very satisfying work and is prone to human error. The task also tends to have high attrition rates. In warehouses with inventory stacked high (as most are), there’s the added element of risk from having a human work at height on a forklift or other elevated platform.

Captis changes all this.

The Captis base is a low-footprint autonomous mobile robot (AMR). That base, on its own, is capable of automatically capturing RFID tags, or creating a precise digital twin of a space for planning scenarios. When its five-hour mission is complete, it returns and recharges wirelessly at its base. Its small size means no infrastructure changes are required at warehouses – something often required for other AMR and cycle counting solutions.

But the exceptional value proposition comes from the ability of Captis to work at height. That’s because it’s not simply an AMR – but an AMR with embedded drone technology.

A Robot Operating System (ROS) based drone rests atop Captis. It’s linked to the base via a lightweight tether. That tether provides power to the drone, and transfers data between the two. As Captis makes its way down warehouse aisles, the drone ascends directly above it. The drone is equipped with multiple sensors to read any and all inventory codes. That data is then instantly migrated into existing Warehouse Management Software or Warehouse Execution System platforms. Captis has been tested and certified by one of the world’s leading AI fulfilment software companies and integrates seamlessly with its platform.

Captis has been deployed at a major Canadian retailer – a company with some 300 large warehouses across the country – for more than a year. It has saved 250,000 person-hours of work and generated significant additional revenue for the client by identifying discontinued or excess stock that can be discounted and sold to pave the way for current inventory. It has also freed up forklifts and other machines that would otherwise have been used to assist with human scanning at height.

“Captis is a proven solution,” says King. “And I think that’s part of the reason there’s so much interest here at GITEX GLOBAL 2024.”

Below: A snapshot of the multiple value propositions Captis brings to the table (and the warehouse), followed by a video detailing the Captis mobile app released at GITEX GLOBAL 2024

Cypher Robotics value prop

THE VIEW FROM CYPHER

 

The genesis of Cypher Robotics was the identification of the need for an all-in-one solution: Cycle counting, RFID scanning, and precision scanning for digital twins. That’s how the idea for Captis came about. It was an ambitious concept that would require exceptional and dedicated engineering. InDro Robotics offered its support as incubator, assisting with the immense technical challenges which had to be overcome for this system to work.

“Captis has been proven in 100,000 square feet warehouses with ever-changing stock stacked to the ceiling. It has also proven its worth on the showroom floor, autonomously scanning all inventory after the customers leave,” says King.

“We had a lot learnings during that initial deployment, and every single one of them has been integrated into making Captis a ready-for-market product. We’re ready. And, based on the phenomenal response at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 – so is the market.”

Interested in learning what Captis can do for you? Reach out here. You can also download a news release about Cypher Robotics and Captis at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 here.