Global real estate development firm Mapletree is deploying robotics middleware framework (RMF)-based middleware at Mapletree Business City, one of the largest integrated business hubs in Singapore to enable seamless robotics operations.
The RMF is an open-source framework that enables interoperability and orchestration among heterogeneous robot fleets while managing robot traffic that share common resources such as space, building infrastructure systems and other automation systems within the same facility.
This is said to optimise the use of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for surveillance, last-mile delivery of food and parcels and cleaning across all buildings within the premises.
The project, supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust (MPACT), will see large-scale middleware deployment at the business park complex with 268,600 square metres of lettable area.
IMDA said the RMF technology is still in its "formative stages" with limited sites for AMR industry players to test the technical and operational feasibility.
"This experimental space not only facilities AMR players to plug in and connect to the RMF-based middleware for trial testing but also paves the way for the establishment of interoperability standards," it added.
MPACT's CEO Sharon Lim said she hopes to improve operational efficiencies and create a differentiated experience for tenants at the site through the middleware deployment.
The partners will be investing in the deployment progressively over the next two years.
The drive to enhance interoperability is part of IMDA’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint, which was launched in June 2023 to ensure that Singapore’s digital infrastructure is future-ready.
IMDA expects to bring more ecosystem players together to enhance RMF-based middleware features and develop new capabilities.
Earlier in 2022, Singapore's Changi General Hospital (CGH) launched RoMi-H, a robotics middleware for healthcare to provide a common "language" for robots to interact with the building infrastructure.
It enabled robots made by different manufacturers to interact with one another and operate seamlessly.
