SoftBank Robotics Whiz Review: Specs & Verdict

SoftBank Robotics Whiz: Quick Buyer Verdict

Whiz should be evaluated as a commercial autonomous vacuuming system, not as a general-purpose floor-cleaning robot.

That distinction explains both why it has been successful and why some buyers should choose something else.

The legacy Whiz concept is deliberately simple: a member of staff teaches a repeatable cleaning route, the robot stores that route and then autonomously repeats it while detecting people and obstacles. This makes it substantially easier to deploy than a robot requiring custom mapping, programming or robotics expertise.

SoftBank Robotics now reports more than 40,000 Whiz-series units shipped worldwide and more than 10,000 km² of cumulative cleaning as of March 2026. That does not prove that Whiz is the best robot for every facility, but it gives the platform a deployment history that many newer commercial cleaning robots cannot yet match.

Pros

• One of the most established commercial autonomous vacuum platforms.
• Simple teach-and-repeat deployment that does not require robotics programming.
• Approximately 500 m²/hour published cleaning coverage for traditional Whiz models.
• Legacy Whiz can operate for approximately three hours in normal mode.
• Whiz i increases normal-mode runtime to approximately 3.6 hours.
• Obstacle, fall, impact and anomaly-detection systems are integrated into the legacy platform.
• BrainOS-powered navigation on traditional Whiz deployments.
• HEPA filtration on traditional Whiz models.
• Cleaning activity can be tracked rather than relying entirely on manual cleaning logs.
• Up to six routes can be associated with each Home Location Code on the traditional architecture, with codes numbered from 1 to 100.
• Large body of commercial deployment experience and supporting operational procedures.
• New Whiz V substantially improves the proposition for new 2026 buyers.

Cons

• Traditional Whiz is fundamentally a commercial vacuum, not a full wet-and-dry scrubber.
• Cleaning routes need initial teaching and can require reconfiguration when layouts change materially.
• Traditional Whiz requires manual battery and charging operations rather than Whiz V-style automatic charging.
• Older Whiz operating guidance leaves some wall-edge detailing to manual cleaning.
• Autonomous operation is not intended for steps or slopes.
• Direct sunlight, very dark environments and difficult reflective conditions can affect autonomous sensing.
• Liquids, wet debris, large quantities of sand or powder, strings and sharp objects should not be vacuumed.
• Indoor use only for the traditional Whiz.
• Current pricing is quote-based and regional availability differs.
• A 2026 buyer now has more capable multi-function alternatives than existed when Whiz originally launched.

Our recommendation: Whiz remains a strong shortlist candidate when the problem is repetitive commercial vacuuming. For a new purchase in 2026, however, ask which generation is actually available in your country before signing a legacy Whiz or Whiz i contract. Compare it directly with Whiz V and multi-function cleaning robots if automatic charging, hard-floor scrubbing or greater floor-type versatility matters.

Review the SoftBank Robotics Whiz listing before requesting a quote.

Which SoftBank Robotics Whiz Are We Reviewing?

This question is unusually important in 2026.

The name Whiz now spans multiple generations and products, and SoftBank Robotics’ regional websites do not present exactly the same commercial lineup.

The traditional Whiz remains actively presented by SoftBank Robotics America and in parts of Asia-Pacific. Whiz i is an upgraded generation introduced in 2020. In Japan, SoftBank Robotics launched a broader new Whiz family in May 2026 consisting of Whiz V, Whiz P and Whiz B.

For buyers researching “SoftBank Robotics Whiz,” the most relevant products are:

• Whiz: the established BrainOS-powered commercial autonomous vacuum.
• Whiz i: an upgraded version with increased battery capacity, larger dust collection and improved cleaning functions.
• Whiz V: the latest vacuum-focused Whiz model introduced in Japan in 2026, adding automatic charging, longer runtime and improved wall-edge cleaning.
• Whiz P: a compact multi-function model for facilities requiring vacuuming, sweeping, scrubbing and mopping.
• Whiz B: a larger sweeper aimed at warehouses, factories and large-area dry debris collection.

This review focuses primarily on Whiz, Whiz i and Whiz V because those products most directly answer the commercial vacuuming intent behind a search for “Whiz review.”

Do not assume that a specification published for Whiz V applies to the Whiz offered by a distributor in another market.

How Much Does SoftBank Robotics Whiz Cost in 2026?

SoftBank Robotics does not publish one universal global 2026 price for Whiz.

The current US commercial page directs buyers to discuss the deployment with SoftBank Robotics, while the current Japanese cleaning portfolio similarly uses consultation and quotation rather than displaying a universal purchase price.

That is appropriate for a commercial robot because the machine itself is only one part of the cost.

A quote can potentially include or exclude:

Do not compare Whiz using hardware price alone

A cheaper robot that needs more operator intervention, has poor local support or cannot complete the required routes can be more expensive over three years than a higher-priced system.

The useful comparison is:

Total three-year cost ÷ productive autonomous cleaning hours.

Ask every supplier for the same commercial breakdown:

1. Initial hardware and commissioning cost.
2. Mandatory software or cloud fees.
3. Three years of service and support.
4. Consumables at the expected cleaning frequency.
5. Battery replacement assumptions.
6. Estimated human intervention per shift.
7. Expected downtime and repair procedure.

Buyer warning: historic Whiz pricing found in launch announcements, old distributor pages or previous leasing programmes should not be treated as a current 2026 quote.

What Is SoftBank Robotics Whiz?

SoftBank Robotics Whiz is a commercial autonomous vacuuming robot designed to take over large, repetitive floor-vacuuming routes while human cleaners handle tasks requiring more dexterity, judgement or detailed manual work.

The traditional Whiz architecture combines a commercial vacuuming system with autonomous navigation powered by BrainOS.

Instead of requiring a robotics engineer to build a map and programme missions, an operator can establish a Home Location Code and physically guide the robot through the required cleaning route. Whiz records that route and can subsequently repeat it autonomously while using its sensors to detect obstacles, people and drop-offs.

What Whiz is

• A commercial autonomous vacuum robot.
• A labour-assistance tool for repetitive floor cleaning.
• A teach-and-repeat robotic cleaning platform.
• A system designed to operate in dynamic indoor commercial environments.
• A way to standardise repeatable vacuuming routes.
• A source of cleaning-operation data and activity reports.
• A mature platform with years of commercial deployments.

What Whiz is not

• It is not a residential robot vacuum enlarged for commercial use.
• It is not a universal autonomous cleaner for every floor-cleaning task.
• Traditional Whiz is not a wet scrubber.
• It does not eliminate edge work, spot cleaning, furniture movement and detailed cleaning.
• It cannot autonomously use stairs.
• It is not intended for traditional outdoor operation.
• It does not make wet spills or sharp debris safe to vacuum.
• It is not proof that every facility will achieve the same ROI reported in a case study.

If you are still evaluating the category rather than one model, compare current commercial cleaning robots before committing to Whiz.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz vs Whiz i vs Whiz V

The biggest mistake a 2026 buyer can make is treating all three versions as interchangeable.

Which one should you buy?

Choose traditional Whiz or Whiz i when local availability, service support and commercial terms are strong and the task is straightforward repetitive vacuuming.

Prioritise Whiz V for a new 2026 evaluation when it is available in your region and unattended charging, longer runtime, narrow aisles or wall-edge performance materially affect the business case.

Choose Whiz P or another multi-function robot when the building needs routine wet scrubbing as well as vacuuming.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz Specifications

The following table reflects the established traditional Whiz specification currently published by SoftBank Robotics in regional product documentation.

Why specification sheets can disagree

Whiz has been sold for many years and across multiple regions. SoftBank Robotics pages, historical manuals and later product revisions do not always state identical battery, weight or operating figures.

That is not unusual for a mature commercial robot.

The safe purchasing rule is:

Do not buy “a Whiz.” Buy a precisely identified Whiz model, revision, software package and service contract.

Require the final quotation to identify the model or SKU and attach the applicable technical specification.

How Does SoftBank Robotics Whiz Navigate?

The original Whiz is built around structured autonomy.

Its value is not that it independently explores a building and invents a cleaning strategy. Its value is that a cleaner can show it a useful route and then delegate repeated execution of that route to the robot.

How route teaching works

The traditional workflow is:

1. Install a Home Location Code at the route’s start and end point.
2. Have Whiz read the code.
3. Manually guide the machine through the required cleaning route.
4. Return to the code and complete the teaching process.
5. The robot stores the route for autonomous reuse.

This is one reason Whiz has been practical for commercial cleaning teams. Staff do not need to understand SLAM algorithms, CAD drawings or robotics programming.

How many routes can Whiz remember?

SoftBank’s traditional Whiz documentation states that six cleaning routes can be saved for each Home Location Code number, with HLC numbers from 1 to 100.

That creates a theoretical structure of up to 600 routes across the system.

The actual useful route count in a facility is less important than route governance: staff need to know which route belongs to which code, when it was last updated and whether the physical layout has changed.

What happens when somebody walks in front of Whiz?

Whiz uses sensors including LiDAR and a 3D camera to detect changes in its environment.

It can respond to people and obstacles rather than blindly reproducing the exact physical path used during teaching.

That makes the system suitable for dynamic commercial spaces, but obstacle avoidance does not make every environment suitable.

Temporary stock displays, trailing cables, moved furniture, reflective surfaces, narrow pinch points or major layout changes can still affect route completion.

Smart Route creation

SoftBank later added a Smart Route function that can generate internal cleaning paths after an operator teaches the boundary of a suitable area.

This reduces the amount of manual route teaching required for appropriate rectangular or open areas.

The important limitation

Whiz is autonomous inside an operational framework.

A good deployment still requires humans to:

• select appropriate areas;
• teach and maintain routes;
• prepare the floor;
• empty debris;
• inspect brushes and filters;
• manage batteries on traditional models;
• respond to exceptions;
• complete inaccessible edges and detail cleaning;
• verify that layout changes have not invalidated routes.

This is cobotic cleaning, not lights-out general intelligence.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz Cleaning Performance

Traditional Whiz is rated at approximately 500 m² of cleaning coverage per hour.

With a published normal-mode runtime of approximately three hours, SoftBank has historically positioned a fully charged traditional Whiz for around 1,500 m² of coverage under suitable conditions.

Whiz i increases the stated normal runtime to approximately 3.6 hours and SoftBank promotes approximately 1,800 m² of cleaning capacity per charge.

These numbers are useful for preliminary sizing, but they are not guaranteed productive throughput in every building.

Why actual coverage will be different

Real performance depends on:

• route density;
• people and obstacle traffic;
• number of turns;
• aisle width;
• floor transitions;
• temporary furniture;
• cleaning mode;
• battery condition;
• time spent paused for obstacles;
• how much of the theoretical floor area is actually reachable.

A 1,500 m² building therefore does not automatically equal one three-hour Whiz route.

Measure the cleanable autonomous area, not the property’s total gross floor area.

Consistency can matter more than peak speed

The strongest business argument for Whiz is often not maximum m²/hour.

It is repeatability.

A correctly configured robot can perform the same defined vacuum route each day without fatigue, shortcuts or variation in walking speed. Human cleaners can then use that time for toilets, surfaces, touch points, corners, stairs, spot cleaning, bins and other tasks that are harder to automate.

Is Whiz Good on Carpet and Hard Floors?

Commercial carpet

Carpet remains the clearest Whiz use case.

SoftBank Robotics continues to position traditional Whiz as a standard solution for commercial carpet vacuuming.

That makes it particularly relevant for:

• office corridors;
• hotel corridors;
• conference spaces;
• libraries;
• education buildings;
• airport carpet;
• senior-living common areas;
• commercial reception and circulation zones.

Whiz is for routine vacuum maintenance. It does not replace periodic carpet extraction, shampooing, stain treatment or specialist deep cleaning.

Hard floors

Whiz and Whiz i can collect suitable dry debris from appropriate hard floors.

Whiz i was specifically introduced with improved pickup performance and stronger hard-floor capability compared with the original model.

But vacuuming a hard floor is not equivalent to scrubbing it.

If a facility needs to remove adhered dirt, grease, liquid contamination or visible marks, a scrubber or multi-function cleaning robot can be the more appropriate machine.

Wall edges

This area requires particular care when comparing generations.

Traditional Whiz operational guidance notes that autonomous cleaning may maintain a distance from wall edges to avoid contact, leaving edge work for manual cleaning.

The 2026 Whiz V specifically addresses this buying objection: SoftBank promotes the new model as capable of vacuuming areas close to walls that were difficult for previous vacuum robots.

Do not assume Whiz V’s edge-cleaning performance applies to every existing Whiz fleet.

Narrow aisles

Legacy operating documentation recommends substantially more clearance for efficient autonomous travel.

Whiz V is materially different: SoftBank currently states a 60 cm minimum passage width, making it more attractive for retail aisles and tighter office spaces.

Whiz HEPA Filtration, Dust and Hygiene Claims

Traditional Whiz includes HEPA filtration.

SoftBank’s US Whiz data sheet states that the HEPA system captures 99.97% of PM2.5 particles including pollen and dust passing through the specified filtration system.

That is useful, but it needs to be interpreted correctly.

Whiz is not an air purifier

SoftBank’s own FAQ states that Whiz is not equipped with an air-purification function.

The HEPA filter is part of the vacuum’s dust-control system. It should not be presented as evidence that Whiz can replace building ventilation or dedicated air-cleaning equipment.

What has SoftBank tested?

SoftBank Robotics and Kumagai Gumi conducted ATP wipe measurements across 116 locations, primarily tiled-carpet flooring.

The manufacturer-published study reported:

This is useful evidence that repeated vacuum cleaning can reduce measurable floor contamination in the tested environments.

It is not the same as independent clinical proof that Whiz sterilises a facility.

SoftBank has also published collaborative testing reporting reductions in airborne microorganisms under specific test conditions.

Those results should be treated as controlled or manufacturer-associated evidence, not as a universal pathogen-removal guarantee.

Does Whiz disinfect floors?

A standard vacuuming Whiz should not be described as a disinfecting machine merely because it removes dust and particles.

Disinfection depends on the target organism, chemical or physical process, concentration, contact time, application method and validated protocol.

A buyer in healthcare or another regulated environment should keep those requirements separate from the vacuuming specification.

Whiz Battery Life, Charging and Duty Cycle

Battery operation is one of the biggest differences between the traditional Whiz architecture and Whiz V.

Can the traditional Whiz battery be swapped?

Yes. Traditional Whiz uses a removable lithium-ion battery.

This allows a facility with spare charged batteries to extend operation without waiting for the installed battery to complete a full recharge.

But a swappable battery is not the same as autonomous charging.

Staff still need to manage the battery workflow safely.

Why automatic charging matters

Whiz V’s automatic charging changes the operating model more than a simple increase in battery specification suggests.

For a night cleaning programme, automatic charging can reduce:

• manual charger connection;
• battery swaps;
• missed cleaning caused by an uncharged robot;
• operator visits between cleaning blocks.

The remaining question is whether Whiz V can execute the exact scheduling, recharge and mission-resumption workflow required by the buyer.

Test that workflow during the pilot rather than assuming that the presence of a charging dock creates fully unattended operation.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz Safety and Operating Limitations

Traditional Whiz incorporates multiple safety and environment sensors, including LiDAR, a 3D camera, an impact-sensing bumper, cliff sensors and wheel-contact or anomaly detection.

Those systems reduce risk. They do not remove the need for appropriate site preparation.

Steps and slopes

SoftBank advises against autonomous Whiz cleaning in areas with steps or slopes.

This is especially important around:

• staircases;
• escalators;
• ramps;
• loading transitions;
• raised platforms;
• unprotected level changes.

Do not treat cliff sensors as permission to deliberately plan routes beside every possible fall hazard.

Lighting conditions

SoftBank warns that direct sunlight or total darkness can affect autonomous obstacle detection.

A site survey should therefore include the actual operating conditions—not only a midday demonstration when every light is on.

Debris Whiz should not vacuum

SoftBank’s current Whiz FAQ advises against vacuuming materials including:

• liquids or wet debris;
• large quantities of sand or powder;
• strings;
• sharp objects such as glass or metal fragments;
• poorly breathable materials such as plastic wrap.

Heavy industrial debris is a different cleaning problem and should be matched to an industrial sweeper such as Whiz B or another appropriate machine.

Indoor use

Traditional Whiz is specified for indoor use.

Do not use it outdoors simply because an entrance lobby occasionally extends into a covered external space. Wind, water, uneven surfaces, sunlight and environmental contamination materially change the operating conditions.

Site preparation still matters

Before autonomous cleaning:

• remove loose cables;
• remove unstable mats;
• move fragile lightweight objects;
• identify reflective or difficult sensing areas;
• keep emergency exits clear;
• inspect steps and escalators;
• confirm the route remains valid after layout changes.

Whiz Connect, Reporting and Fleet Management

One of the reasons commercial cleaning robots can create more operational value than conventional vacuum cleaners is that they produce data.

Traditional Whiz deployments have used Whiz Connect, while SoftBank Robotics also operates broader regional management and reporting platforms such as SoftBank Robotics Connect and, in Japan, SBX Connect.

The exact service depends on the product generation and region.

What reporting can help answer

A connected cleaning system can help facility managers verify:

• whether the robot ran;
• which route was executed;
• how long it operated;
• whether the cleaning was completed;
• how much area was covered;
• whether faults or interruptions occurred;
• how frequently the robot is actually being used.

This is particularly valuable for commercial cleaning contractors.

Instead of promising that a floor was vacuumed, the contractor can potentially provide data showing robot utilisation and route completion.

Ask what is included

Do not assume every Whiz contract includes the same dashboard.

Request written confirmation of:

• platform name;
• subscription cost;
• included users;
• data retention;
• fleet-level management;
• report export;
• alerting;
• connectivity requirements;
• software-update policy;
• cybersecurity responsibilities.

What Real-World Whiz Evidence Shows

Whiz has an unusually large amount of deployment history for a commercial cleaning robot.

That makes it possible to evaluate more than a specification sheet.

The evidence still needs to be separated into manufacturer fleet data, manufacturer case studies and independent academic reporting.

What this evidence supports

• Whiz is not an experimental prototype.
• The platform can be integrated into real commercial cleaning operations.
• Non-technical facility staff can use structured robotic cleaning workflows.
• Cleaning contractors can redirect some repetitive vacuuming time toward other tasks.
• Cleaning data can provide operational visibility unavailable from an ordinary vacuum cleaner.
• The technology has been used while customers and employees are present.

What it does not prove

• That every customer will reduce labour cost by the same percentage.
• That a robot eliminates the need for cleaners.
• That every floor will achieve the same contamination reduction.
• That every site will obtain a rapid return on investment.
• That Whiz can perform wet scrubbing or deep carpet extraction.
• That the latest Whiz V will reproduce every result from older Whiz studies.
• That a facility can skip a site trial.

The correct takeaway is that Whiz has unusually strong deployment evidence for its category, but site-specific validation still matters.

Best Uses for SoftBank Robotics Whiz

1. Offices

Large carpeted office areas are one of the strongest Whiz applications.

The robot can take over predictable corridor and open-floor vacuuming while cleaners focus on desks, bins, kitchens, toilets, meeting rooms and detailed work.

2. Hotels

Long hotel corridors can create a repetitive daily vacuum workload.

Whiz can be attractive where corridor geometry is predictable and the robot can operate without blocking guests or housekeeping operations.

The site test should include housekeeping carts, open guest-room doors, lifts, luggage and the actual operating period.

3. Universities and schools

Libraries, corridors, administrative buildings and other large carpeted areas are natural candidates.

SoftBank Robotics has commercial deployments in education, where robotic vacuuming can free custodial staff for higher-value cleaning.

4. Retail

Whiz has been used in active retail environments, including the large Daiei deployment in Japan.

The primary challenges are changing displays, customers, temporary stock, narrow aisles and uneven or cluttered sections.

A static demonstration outside opening hours is therefore not enough. Test during representative store conditions.

5. Healthcare common areas

Whiz can automate suitable routine vacuuming in corridors, waiting areas and other compatible commercial spaces.

Healthcare buyers should keep routine floor cleaning separate from validated infection-control and disinfection processes.

6. Airports and transport facilities

Large repetitive areas can generate enough daily cleaning volume to justify automation.

Success depends on choosing routes that remain sufficiently predictable despite passengers, baggage and temporary obstacles.

7. Senior living and multifamily buildings

Corridors and shared areas can provide predictable repeatable routes.

Low noise, safe interaction around residents and obstacle behaviour should be included in the acceptance test.

8. Commercial cleaning contractors

This may be one of Whiz’s most strategically valuable applications.

A contractor can combine robotic repeatability with human detail cleaning and use cleaning data to demonstrate utilisation.

The robot is then not simply a replacement for a vacuum cleaner—it becomes part of the service-delivery model.

When SoftBank Robotics Whiz Is Not the Right Robot

Whiz should not be selected simply because a facility wants “a cleaning robot.”

Reject or reconsider traditional Whiz when the requirement is primarily:

• Wet scrubbing: choose a scrubber or multi-function cleaning robot.
• Liquid spills: traditional Whiz is not intended to vacuum liquids.
• Heavy warehouse debris: use an industrial sweeper designed for larger debris and harsher environments.
• Outdoor cleaning: traditional Whiz is an indoor machine.
• Stairs: Whiz does not autonomously climb stairs.
• Highly uneven floors: surface irregularity can create navigation problems.
• Tiny fragmented rooms: setup and robot footprint may outweigh the labour saved.
• Deep carpet cleaning: Whiz does not replace periodic carpet extraction.
• Zero-touch operation: traditional Whiz still requires human battery, consumable, exception and detail-cleaning work.
• Constantly changing layouts: repeated route maintenance may reduce the benefit of teach-and-repeat automation.

A robot only creates value when the task being automated is large enough, repetitive enough and predictable enough.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz Alternatives in 2026

The commercial cleaning market has moved considerably since Whiz originally launched.

A new buyer should therefore compare Whiz against robots that solve a broader range of floor-cleaning tasks.

Gausium Phantas vs Whiz

Gausium Phantas is a stronger candidate when the facility has both carpet and hard flooring and expects the same robot to vacuum, sweep, scrub and dust mop.

Its published practical cleaning efficiency is 350–700 m²/hour, with approximately 4.5 hours of vacuum runtime, 65 cm minimum passage width and 0 mm published edge-cleaning capability under Gausium’s test specification.

Traditional Whiz is simpler and has a much longer commercial track record as a dedicated vacuum platform.

PUDU CC1 vs Whiz

PUDU CC1 is fundamentally more versatile.

PUDU publishes four cleaning modes, 700–1,000 m²/hour cleaning efficiency and optional infrastructure for automatic charging, water refill and drainage.

Whiz can still make more sense when the problem is specifically repetitive commercial vacuuming and the buyer values its established operating history.

Which should you choose?

• Choose traditional Whiz/Whiz i for established, straightforward commercial vacuum automation with strong local support.
• Choose Whiz V when you want the newer Whiz concept and it is commercially supported in your region.
• Choose Whiz P or Gausium Phantas when one compact robot must cover wet and dry cleaning.
• Choose PUDU CC1/CC1 Pro when multi-mode cleaning, docking automation and broader facility integration are priorities.

Use the Anton Robots comparison tool to compare current cleaning robots by specifications and application.

Is SoftBank Robotics Whiz Worth It?

Yes—when the facility has enough repetitive vacuuming work to keep the robot productively occupied and the selected Whiz version fits the operating model.

Whiz’s strongest value proposition is not replacing the entire cleaning team.

It is taking a repetitive machine-friendly task away from that team.

Where Whiz creates value

• Large repeated vacuum routes.
• Facilities struggling to recruit or retain cleaning staff.
• Sites where cleaners need more time for detailed work.
• Contracts requiring evidence that scheduled cleaning occurred.
• Multi-site operations that benefit from standardised processes.
• Facilities able to keep the robot productive for multiple hours per day.

Where buyers overestimate ROI

• Using total building area instead of robot-accessible cleaning area.
• Assuming every manual vacuuming hour disappears.
• Ignoring route setup and exception handling.
• Ignoring corners, stairs and detail cleaning.
• Ignoring consumables and maintenance.
• Assuming manufacturer case-study savings will repeat automatically.
• Buying a vacuum robot when the real workload is wet floor scrubbing.

A practical ROI calculation

Start with current operations:

Then validate the assumptions during a trial.

Do not build the business case around theoretical m²/hour alone.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz Buying Checklist

1. Identify the exact model. Confirm Whiz, Whiz i, Whiz V or another Whiz-family product.
2. Map the actual cleanable area. Exclude stairs, inaccessible rooms, wet zones and areas requiring specialist cleaning.
3. Record floor types. Separate carpet, tile, vinyl, concrete and other surfaces.
4. Define the cleaning job. Vacuum, sweep, mop or scrub should not be treated as interchangeable requirements.
5. Measure route widths. Include doors, aisles, furniture and temporary obstructions.
6. Inspect level changes. Document steps, thresholds, ramps, escalators and uneven floors.
7. Inspect lighting. Test the robot during the actual intended shift.
8. Measure current labour. Establish how many hours are genuinely spent on robot-compatible vacuuming.
9. Define residual human work. Include corners, stairs, wet spills, furniture and detailed cleaning.
10. Confirm runtime. Require performance for the quoted model and cleaning mode.
11. Confirm charging workflow. Manual charger, battery swap or automatic docking.
12. Specify spare batteries. If using traditional Whiz, determine whether extra batteries improve the operating case.
13. Review software. Confirm the exact fleet/reporting platform and ongoing cost.
14. Check connectivity. Verify Wi-Fi or other network requirements and IT approval.
15. Price consumables. Include bags, filters and brushes.
16. Confirm maintenance. Identify who repairs the robot, where and within what SLA.
17. Review warranty. Check battery, parts, labour and accidental-damage exclusions.
18. Run a live pilot. Use the real building rather than a vendor demonstration area.
19. Measure interventions. Record every time a cleaner has to rescue, reposition or restart the robot.
20. Compare alternatives. Include at least one multi-function cleaner if the building contains substantial hard flooring.

Minimum acceptance test

Before approving a purchase, ask the proposed robot to complete:

• at least three representative cleaning routes;
• the busiest normal obstacle environment;
• carpet-to-hard-floor transitions where relevant;
• the narrowest required passage;
• representative wall edges;
• a full battery-duty-cycle test;
• scheduled or unattended operation if required;
• recovery from common temporary obstacles;
• completion reporting through the supplied management platform.

Record:

• m² cleaned;
• elapsed time;
• number of interventions;
• uncovered areas;
• battery consumption;
• remaining manual cleaning time.

That dataset is more useful than a sales demonstration.

How to Buy SoftBank Robotics Whiz

Whiz availability and commercial packaging differ by country.

Start by specifying the cleaning problem rather than requesting “a Whiz.”

A good enquiry should include:

• country and facility location;
• facility type;
• total cleanable floor area;
• carpet and hard-floor area separately;
• required operating hours;
• minimum passage widths;
• presence of stairs, ramps and lifts;
• desired cleaning modes;
• whether automatic charging is required;
• current manual vacuum hours;
• number of sites;
• required reporting and integration;
• target deployment date.

Before signing, request:

• exact model and revision;
• formal technical specification;
• full package contents;
• software and cloud entitlement;
• number of batteries and chargers;
• consumable pricing;
• installation and training scope;
• service-level agreement;
• warranty terms;
• repair location;
• replacement-unit policy;
• all recurring fees;
• three-year total cost;
• site acceptance criteria.

Review the SoftBank Robotics Whiz product page and the SoftBank Robotics manufacturer page, then contact Anton Robots to discuss supplier options.

If you do not yet know which cleaning robot fits the building, use Find My Robot first.

What Is New for SoftBank Robotics Whiz in 2026?

2026 is a more important year for Whiz than a normal incremental update.

A complete Whiz cleaning family

On 13 May 2026, SoftBank Robotics announced three new Whiz-series machines in Japan:

• Whiz V — compact dry-cleaning robot focused on vacuuming and sweeping.
• Whiz P — compact multi-function wet-and-dry cleaning robot.
• Whiz B — large-area sweeper for environments such as warehouses and factories.

The result is that Whiz is becoming a cleaning-robot family rather than one autonomous vacuum product.

Whiz V changes the vacuum proposition

The new Whiz V addresses several limitations that matter to commercial buyers.

SoftBank currently publishes:

• vacuum, sweep and mop modes;
• up to five hours of vacuum runtime;
• up to ten hours of sweep runtime;
• up to eight hours in the listed mop mode;
• automatic charging;
• minimum passage width of approximately 60 cm;
• improved wall-edge vacuuming;
• approximately 2.4× cleaning efficiency compared with Whiz i;
• approximately 1.4× longer maximum vacuum runtime compared with Whiz i.

Do not convert the 2.4× efficiency claim into an assumed m²/hour specification. SoftBank presents it as a comparative efficiency statement, not as permission to multiply Whiz i’s 500 m²/hour figure by 2.4.

Whiz has crossed 40,000 units

SoftBank Robotics states that the Whiz series exceeded 40,000 units in global shipments and accumulated more than 10,000 km² of cleaning by March 2026.

For buyers, that makes Whiz increasingly unusual: it combines a mature installed base with a newly refreshed product family.

What buyers should do now

If you already operate traditional Whiz units, the established platform can continue to make operational sense.

If you are buying your first Whiz in 2026, do not automatically accept the previous generation.

Ask:

Is Whiz V available and supported in my country, and what operational reason justifies choosing the older model instead?

Frequently Asked Questions About SoftBank Robotics Whiz

Is SoftBank Robotics Whiz still available in 2026?

Yes. Traditional Whiz remains actively presented in SoftBank Robotics’ regional commercial portfolio, although availability and commercial terms vary by market. Japan also received the new Whiz V, Whiz P and Whiz B models in 2026.

What is SoftBank Robotics Whiz?

Whiz is a commercial autonomous floor-vacuuming robot designed to repeat taught cleaning routes while detecting and responding to people and obstacles.

What is Whiz V?

Whiz V is a newer Whiz-series dry cleaning robot launched by SoftBank Robotics in Japan in May 2026. It adds automatic charging, longer vacuum runtime, improved wall-edge cleaning and support for narrower passages.

What is the difference between Whiz and Whiz i?

Whiz i is an upgraded generation of the traditional Whiz. It increased battery capacity, dust capacity and some cleaning functionality. Current APAC specifications list approximately 3.6 hours of normal runtime and a 6.3 L dust capacity versus approximately three hours and 4.0 L for traditional Whiz.

What is the difference between Whiz i and Whiz V?

Whiz V represents a substantially newer operating concept. It supports automatic charging, up to five hours of vacuum runtime, improved wall-edge cleaning and a 60 cm published minimum passage width. SoftBank also states approximately 2.4× higher cleaning efficiency compared with Whiz i.

How much does SoftBank Robotics Whiz cost?

There is no single public global 2026 price. Current SoftBank commercial pages direct buyers toward consultation or quotation. Ask for the complete hardware, software, service and consumables cost rather than only the machine price.

Can Whiz be rented or leased?

Commercial structures have historically varied by region and distributor. Ask the current supplier to provide purchase, lease or subscription options where available rather than relying on historic pricing programmes.

How much area can Whiz clean per hour?

Traditional Whiz is published at approximately 500 m²/hour under specified conditions.

How much area can Whiz clean on one battery?

SoftBank has positioned traditional Whiz at around 1,500 m² from approximately three hours of normal operation. Whiz i is promoted at approximately 1,800 m² per charge. Actual coverage depends on the environment and route.

How long does the Whiz battery last?

Traditional Whiz is rated for approximately three hours in normal mode and 1.5 hours in power mode. Whiz i is listed at approximately 3.6 hours normal and 1.8 hours turbo. Whiz V lists up to five hours of vacuum operation.

How long does Whiz take to charge?

Current traditional Whiz regional specifications state approximately four hours. Current APAC Whiz i information lists approximately five hours. Whiz V supports automatic charging.

Does Whiz automatically return to a charger?

The traditional Whiz operating model does not use Whiz V-style automatic charging. The 2026 Whiz V explicitly supports automatic charging.

Can you swap the Whiz battery?

Yes. The traditional Whiz uses a removable lithium-ion battery, allowing spare batteries to support longer cleaning operations.

How does Whiz learn a cleaning route?

On the traditional system, an operator installs and scans a Home Location Code, manually guides Whiz through the route and scans the code again to save the route.

How many routes can Whiz remember?

Traditional Whiz documentation allows six routes per Home Location Code, with HLC numbers from 1 to 100—providing a route-management architecture capable of up to 600 routes.

Does Whiz use AI?

Yes. Traditional Whiz uses BrainOS autonomous navigation technology and sensor data to follow cleaning routes and respond to changes such as people and obstacles.

Does Whiz use LiDAR?

Yes. Traditional Whiz specifications include LiDAR together with a 3D camera and other safety sensors.

Can Whiz avoid people?

Whiz is designed to detect and respond to moving people and other obstacles during autonomous operation. A site-specific risk assessment and sensible route design are still required.

Can Whiz vacuum carpet?

Yes. Commercial carpet vacuuming is one of the primary Whiz applications.

Can Whiz clean hard floors?

Whiz can vacuum suitable dry hard flooring. Whiz i improved hard-floor pickup compared with the original generation. Vacuuming should not be confused with wet scrubbing.

Can Whiz scrub floors?

Traditional Whiz is not a wet floor scrubber. Buyers requiring scrubbing should compare Whiz P, Gausium Phantas, PUDU CC1 or another multi-function commercial cleaning robot.

Can Whiz mop floors?

Traditional Whiz is a vacuum platform. The current Japanese Whiz V specification lists a mop mode, while Whiz P is the broader wet-and-dry multi-function member of the new Whiz family.

Can Whiz vacuum water?

No. SoftBank advises against vacuuming liquids or wet debris with the traditional Whiz.

Can Whiz clean next to walls?

Traditional Whiz operating guidance can leave edge work for manual cleaning in order to maintain safe clearance. Whiz V specifically promotes improved wall-edge vacuuming.

Does Whiz have a HEPA filter?

Yes. Traditional Whiz has HEPA filtration. SoftBank’s US data sheet states 99.97% capture of PM2.5 particles including pollen and dust through the filter system.

Does Whiz purify the air?

No. SoftBank’s FAQ explicitly distinguishes its HEPA-filtered vacuum exhaust from an air-purification function.

Does Whiz disinfect floors?

Whiz removes dust and debris and manufacturer-associated studies have reported improvements in measured cleanliness. A standard vacuuming Whiz should not be treated as a validated chemical or medical disinfection system.

Can Whiz clean stairs?

No. Traditional Whiz is not designed to autonomously clean stairs, and SoftBank advises against autonomous operation in areas with steps or slopes.

Can Whiz work outdoors?

Traditional Whiz is specified for indoor operation.

Can Whiz operate in the dark?

SoftBank warns that total darkness and problematic lighting conditions can affect autonomous sensing. Test the robot under the lighting conditions in which it will actually operate.

Is Whiz noisy?

SoftBank’s US data sheet states approximately 62 dB in normal mode for the traditional Whiz.

Does Whiz need Wi-Fi?

Autonomous cleaning and cloud-connected management should be treated as separate requirements. Network connectivity is relevant to remote monitoring, reporting and software services. Confirm the exact connectivity requirements for the quoted model and software package.

Can several Whiz robots be managed together?

Traditional Whiz systems support shared cleaning-route and management workflows, and SoftBank provides broader fleet and cleaning-data platforms. Exact capabilities depend on the region and service package.

What maintenance does Whiz need?

Routine operation includes inspecting and replacing consumables such as dust bags, HEPA filters and brushes, cleaning sensors, managing batteries and following the manufacturer’s inspection schedule.

What are the best SoftBank Robotics Whiz alternatives?

For mixed-floor facilities, strong alternatives include Gausium Phantas and PUDU CC1/CC1 Pro. Within SoftBank’s own portfolio, Whiz V is the obvious newer vacuum comparison and Whiz P is the more appropriate choice when wet scrubbing is required.

Is SoftBank Robotics Whiz worth buying in 2026?

Yes for the right repetitive commercial vacuuming workload. For a new purchase, however, compare the offered legacy Whiz directly with Whiz V and modern multi-function competitors before signing a contract.

SoftBank Robotics Whiz Review: Final Verdict

SoftBank Robotics Whiz remains one of the safest commercial cleaning robots to shortlist when the requirement is repetitive autonomous vacuuming—not because it is the newest robot, but because it combines a simple operating model with an unusually large amount of real-world deployment experience.

Traditional Whiz gets the fundamentals right.

A cleaner teaches a route. Whiz repeats it. Sensors allow it to operate in changing commercial spaces. Cleaning activity can be measured. Human staff spend less time walking a vacuum across the same floor and more time on jobs that still need people.

That model has proven commercially durable.

But the buying decision has changed.

In 2026, a prospective customer should no longer ask only:

“Is Whiz a good robot?”

The better questions are:

“Which Whiz am I being offered, what part of my cleaning operation can it genuinely automate, and is a dedicated vacuum still the right robot for my building?”

For established carpet-heavy facilities, traditional Whiz and Whiz i can still make excellent operational sense—particularly where local support, existing fleet infrastructure and commercial terms are strong.

For a new deployment, Whiz V deserves priority in markets where it is available. Automatic charging, increased runtime, narrow-passage capability and improved wall-edge cleaning directly address operational limitations of earlier generations.

And if the building requires daily wet scrubbing as well as vacuuming, buyers should compare multi-function machines before deciding that Whiz is the right architecture at all.

Bottom line: Whiz is a mature and credible commercial vacuum robot with real deployment evidence behind it. Buy it for a clearly defined repetitive vacuuming problem—not simply because you want to automate cleaning.

Review the SoftBank Robotics Whiz, explore other commercial cleaning robots, or use Find My Robot if you need to determine which platform fits your facility.