Singapore, 31 July 2019 – The National Environment Agency (NEA), supported by Enterprise Singapore, has awarded development projects to two companies to develop and conduct proof-of-concept trials of two different types of Environmental Services (ES) solutions – (i) a self-cleaning toilet cubicle solution, and (ii) an assistive technology for Public Waste Collectors (PWCs). These two projects have been awarded following the first innovation call for ES solutions, which is part of NEA’s continuous efforts to better optimise resources, drive innovation, push widespread technology adoption, and improve productivity across the ES industry. This is also part of Enterprise Singapore’s Gov-PACT initiative [1] to create market demand for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to develop innovative products and services.
2 An open innovation call for ES solutions was launched by NEA and Enterprise Singapore last year, and a total of nine submissions were received (please refer to Annex A for the problem statements). After careful evaluation and assessment with collaborators, the projects were awarded to:
a) Red Dot Robotics Pte Ltd – a self-cleaning toilet cubicle solution; and
b) Meisterform Pte Ltd – an assistive technology for PWCs.
3 As part of transformation efforts, NEA works closely with the industry to identify key challenges and capability development opportunities in the ES industry. Through our engagement with the industry, problem statements are developed and innovation calls are launched to crowdsource for solutions. Suitable solutions and technologies are then selected for proof-of-concept trials. Should the proof-of-concept trials be successful, NEA will consider working with the relevant stakeholders to scale up the solutions, which would include pilot deployment of the solution or technology with premises owners. Targeted at local SMEs / start-ups, these innovation calls also serve as an enabler to support the SMEs / start-ups in developing competitive technologies for application in the ES industry.
Self-Cleaning Toilet Cubicle Solution
4 Red Dot Robotics Pte Ltd was awarded based on their proposal for the self-cleaning toilet cubicle solution. Their solution involves pre-setting, to control the cleaning frequencies of three main features within the toilet cubicle (i.e. toilet bowl, walls and floor), which means that the technology is able to automatically clean the cubicle at scheduled intervals. As a result, this gives the cleaners’ more time to perform other tasks such as replenishing the consumables and touch-up or spot cleaning.
5 Unlike several other cities (for example, in Europe, Montreal, or New York) with standalone or modular self-cleaning public toilets, which are often deployed to reduce the need for cleaners, this project is meant to retrofit existing toilet cubicles with self-cleaning features to suit Singapore’s public toilets such as in hawker centres. Current industry toilet cleaning needs are frequency based and rely on scheduled labour to perform at least 10 tasks per cleaning cycle to effectively clean a toilet. This self-cleaning toilet cubicle project serves to automate some of the least desirable tasks expected of cleaners. It is also a step forward in NEA’s efforts to transform the toilet cleaning process from the current frequency based, labour intensive, and undesirable one into one which is on-demand with minimal human intervention enabled by the use of smart technologies. This solution is scheduled for a proof-of-concept trial at one of the toilet cubicles at Geylang Serai Hawker Centre for three months (please refer to Annex B for mock-up images of the solution).
Assistive Technology for Public Waste Collectors (PWCs)
6 Meisterform Pte Ltd was awarded to develop an assistive motor-driven device to reduce the physical strain of the PWC crew and increase productivity with the enhanced ease of operations. The assistive technology eases the waste collection crew’s burden in pushing the heavy-laden waste bins from the disposal points to the waste trucks. The company will be working with Partico Design Pte. Ltd. to design, develop and build the initial prototype. A proof-of-concept trial of this solution will take place at sites identified by the PWCs Veolia and SembWaste over a period of two months. These trial sites will be at areas around trade premises, where there are challenging terrains and heavy bins (refer to Annex B for mock-up images of the solution).
7 The projects are supported by Enterprise Singapore’s Gov-PACT initiative and also in line with the agency’s efforts to help SMEs raise productivity, innovate and internationalise. Under Gov-PACT, government agencies may embark on projects with local enterprises to innovate and develop novel solutions, which may be more manpower-lean, cost-efficient, and achieve quality improvements or meet new operational requirements. Enterprise Singapore works closely with the partner agencies, from the scoping of the challenges to reaching out to enterprises via their networks, and providing financial and non-financial support to the awarded companies. Those who successfully develop and test the solutions locally could also explore new growth opportunities by exporting their solutions to meet the regional and global market demand.
8 These efforts are in line with the ES Industry Transformation Map (ES ITM) which aims to help the industry remain competitive and attractive. Businesses, including service providers, technology providers and service buyers, can look forward to opportunities for technology collaboration, adaptation, and optimisation in the allocation of resources through the use of innovative solutions and data analytics. The workforce can also look forward to better jobs, as the use of technology and automation will help to reduce routine and laborious tasks, allowing them to focus on other areas of work such as operating machinery or smart systems to enable better service delivery. The ES ITM strategies and initiatives will ensure a vibrant, sustainable and professional industry that will help move Singapore towards achieving our vision of becoming a Zero Waste Nation.
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[1] Gov-PACT initiative was announced at Budget 2017, to drive innovation through Government lead demand.
ANNEX A
Innovation Call Problem Statements
Problem Statement A: To develop a self-cleaning toilet to enhance productivity of cleaners and improve toilet cleanliness for users |
Background | Public toilets are subject to high usage.Despite having cleaners deployed to clean the public toilets such as at coffeeshops and bus terminals according to a fixed schedule, the level of cleanliness is often impaired by improper toilet usage by users. A self-cleaning toilet system that can be activated upon reaching a number of uses and/ or scheduled basis will help improve the cleaners’ productivity. |
Desired Outcome | A more efficient way of cleaning the toilets that would enhance the cleaners’ productivity. |
Problem Statement B: To reduce the physical strain of the work crew in waste collection operations |
Background | Each public waste collection team requires the use of two crew members to perform collection from a mix of bin types on different road conditions. The collection process may also require the crew to push and pull heavy bins against uneven terrains, up/down slopes, against drains, gutters and kerbs. A portable, easy-to-use and safe-to-operate solution that can help reduce the physical strain of the crew in waste collection operations would help to improve their work conditions and improve their productivity at the same time. |
Desired Outcome | A cost-effective assistive technology that can aid the waste collection crew’s daily operations of collecting heavy bins to improve productivity, as well as improve safety and ease of operations. |
ANNEX B
Mock-up Images of Solutions
Self-cleaning toilet cubicle solution:
This solution can be pre-set to control the cleaning frequencies of three main features within the toilet cubicle:
a. Toilet Bowl Cleaning Mechanism: A smart toilet bowl cleaning that can automatically open and close the lid; rinse the toilet bowl and seat, and even blow-dry the seat for next patron’s use;
b. Cubicle Wall Cleaning Mechanism: Cleaning agent and water will be automatically sprayed to wash the cubicle wall;
c. Cubicle Floor Cleaning Mechanism: Pipe that flushes the floor with pressurised water to push any soil or rubbish to the floor trap.
Note: Please credit pictures to Red Dot Robotics Pte Ltd
Assistive motor-driven device to reduce the physical strain of the PWC crew:
Note: Please credit pictures to Meisterform Pte Ltd