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

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

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.