In a world where robots vacuum our homes and mow our lawns, a Singapore company is tackling a messier challenge: cleaning public bathrooms. And they're using the same technology that powers high-end gaming computers to do it.

Primech AI, a Singapore-based robotics company, has announced that its HYTRON bathroom-cleaning robot is getting smarter thanks to new hardware from technology giant NVIDIA. The upgrade marks a significant step forward in the company's mission to revolutionize one of the most unpopular but essential maintenance tasks in public spaces.

"We're setting a new standard for robotic cleaning performance and efficiency," says Charles Ng, chief operating officer of Primech AI. The enthusiasm in his voice is clear when he talks about what might seem like an unglamorous application of cutting-edge technology.

The HYTRON robot, which looks like a high-tech cleaning cart with robotic arms, is designed to navigate and clean bathrooms in busy public spaces like airports, hospitals, and shopping malls. What makes it special is its ability to think for itself, using artificial intelligence to squeeze through tight spaces and handle multiple cleaning tasks without human intervention.

At the heart of this upgrade is NVIDIA's Jetson Orin Super, a tiny but powerful computer module that serves as the robot's brain. It's similar to the technology that powers advanced gaming systems, but instead of rendering virtual worlds, it's helping HYTRON make real-time decisions about how to clean most effectively.

The robot uses several sophisticated software tools to process information quickly. These include CUDA, which allows for faster computing; CuDNN, which powers its artificial intelligence capabilities; and TensorRT, which helps it make split-second decisions. Together, these technologies enable HYTRON to clean more efficiently and adapt to different bathroom layouts and conditions.

Early signs suggest the robot is living up to expectations. After completing its first commercial trials in September 2024, Primech AI reports positive feedback from customers. The company is now setting its sights on expansion, with plans to roll out HYTRON robots in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai in 2025, followed by Australia in 2026.

The timing could be perfect. The global market for cleaning robots is expected to reach $74 billion by 2025, according to industry projections cited by Primech AI. The company is already making moves to capture a share of this market, recently signing an agreement with Golden Rim Investment Ltd. to test HYTRON robots in three Japanese hotels.

For Primech AI, a subsidiary of facilities services company Primech Holdings Ltd., this technological upgrade represents more than just a better cleaning robot. It's part of a broader transformation in how we approach facility maintenance, where smart machines take on tasks that are difficult to staff consistently.

As public spaces face increasing pressure to maintain high standards of cleanliness, particularly in the wake of recent global health challenges, robots like HYTRON might become a more common sight in bathrooms around the world. And while the idea of a robot janitor might have seemed like science fiction a few years ago, it's quickly becoming reality – one clean bathroom at a time.