Work with Ahold Delhaize to optimise cleaning practices of large grocery stores with autonomous robots

Pilot Contract, Access to Expert Network Deadline passed

Get in the Ring joins forces with YES!Delft, AIRLab, and Ahold Delhaize to innovate the cleaning activities within Dutch supermarkets and thereby increase hygiene and efficiency for all personnel and customers. We’re looking for startups that offer autonomous cleaning robots and are ready to pilot.  

 

The world is facing challenging times. However, these are also the times that bright innovative minds can blossom and show their entrepreneurial agility and willpower. Will you be part of the people that will realize the next generation technology that creates safer and cleaner environments for people all over the world? Ahold Delhaize’s AI for Retail (AIR) Lab is currently looking for innovative companies that are able to build an autonomous store cleaning solution. The urgency is there, what’s missing is the right innovation.

 

The AIRLab Delft is the joint industry lab of Ahold Delhaize and the TU Delft, driving innovations at the intersection of retail, AI and robotics. It recently opened a test site where researchers – supported by RoboValley and tech incubator YES!Delft – can work with partners, students and startups to build and test prototypes of robotic solutions.

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges

THE CHALLENGE

Supermarkets have their doors open from early morning until late in the evening to provide customers not only with the groceries they need, but also with a great shopping experience. Easy access, convenience and a wide assortment are all part of that experience. Hygiene is at the top of the priority list, too, especially in the time of COVID-19.

 

In supermarkets, floors are cleaned once a day before each store opens. It takes cleaning personnel an average of two hours every morning to sweep the floors for dirt, mop the hard-to-reach corners, and then go through the store with a ride-on floor scrubber. It is certainly both a time-consuming and labor-intensive activity. Ahold Delhaize’s AI for Retail (AIR) Lab is, thus, looking for a partner that can automate this process by creating an autonomous cleaning robot.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?

  • Pilot with Ahold Delhaize

  • Workshops from experienced YES!Delft experts to help your idea develop and grow

  • Access to the AIRLab and YES!Delft ecosystem

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

Ahold Delhaize's new partner in this endeavor can be any company that can provide the right solution - from early-stage startups to scale-ups and SMEs. To be considered for the program, candidates need to:

  • Have a motivated and ambitious team, with a minimum of two co-founders, available as of right now

  • Have an existing prototype or MVP

  • Have a solution that is scalable and leads to solving the AIRLab Cleaning Bot Challenge

  • Be able to pitch their solution in English and/or Dutch.

Timeline

July 7 2020

Deadline applications


The deadline for applications of proposals is on July 7th, 2020 at midnight (UTC+2).
End of July

Announcement selected startups


The announcement of selected companies will be done latest end of July, 2020.
August 13 2020

Digital final day


The selected companies will be invited for meetings and pitches with AIRLab Delft, YES!Delft, adn Ahold Delhaize taking place during the digital final day on August 13th, 2020.
September onwards

Pilot Phase


The most relevant startup(s)/scaleup(s) will start with the pilot from September onwards.
Deadline passed

The deadline for this Challenge has passed, please check out our other Challenges