When a Singapore company that distributes smart waste bins met a Finnish firm that produces wall robots that clean building exteriors at a technology matching event co-organised by IPI and the Helsinki Business Hub, the two were drawn to each other. Their focus on smart products meant they could collaborate on research and innovation.
The smart waste bin sends an email or text message alert to cleaners when it is full. Its internal compactor compacts rubbish, so it can handle up to eight times more trash than usual bins. It is energy efficient and runs on solar power.
Called Bigbelly bins, they are already deployed island-wide in Singapore – in shopping malls and commercial buildings – and are distributed here by local company Terra Sol.
“Cleaners no longer have to patrol bins to check for fullness. The compaction also increases its capacity to handle trash, so productivity increases,” said Joe Tan, Terra Sol’s director.
Given Singapore’s ageing population, it is difficult to find manpower for cleaning jobs, he added. “Here’s where the Internet of Things (IoT) can help with the problem. It makes sense here.”
Started in 2014, the company has two aims: to create smart solutions to improve productivity, leveraging automation to make up for manpower shortages for certain jobs; and to devise zero-waste solutions by converting waste into a new form to be reused in the circular economy.
Terra Sol’s other products include a glass crusher that grinds empty bottles, jars and other glass containers into small particles of sand less than 1.5mm – or silica. The silica can then be reused for construction, for instance.
“Close to 60,000 tonnes of glass waste per annum are making its way into our landfills here,” said Joe. “The solution eliminates the amount of waste that we generate. We can achieve close to 100% recyclability for glass waste.”
It also has a composter machine that turns food waste into compost, which can be used for farming or greening.
Terra Sol’s two-pronged strategy has not only found traction in Singapore, but has also struck a chord with a company in Finland.
Called Wall Robotics, the two met at a Finnish smart building technology matchmaking event here last year, organised by IPI and the Helsinki Business Hub, which promotes collaboration between international agencies and Finnish talent.
The forum brought together Singapore enterprises and Finland’s innovative companies operating in the smart building sector.
Wall Robotics produces Wall-R, a robot that cleans the windows and exterior surfaces of buildings.
Wall-R helps facility managers of shopping malls, hotels and commercial buildings tackle their facade cleaning jobs – not dissimilar to Terra Sol’s work.
“It complements the product portfolio we already have and its line of work is closely related to what we do,” said Joe. “We also have the client base here to help market their products.”
The two have since teamed up, and one area of their collaboration is in research and development.
“Finland does not have many tall buildings so they have yet to validate their solution beyond 90 metres in Finland, which is the height of the tallest building you can find in the Helsinki area,” Joe noted.
“In Singapore, our buildings frequently exceed 70 metres in height. So our clients here can provide their buildings for test-bedding and proof of concept so the height barrier for Wall-R can be increased to 200 metres and beyond,” he added.
Beyond sharing ideas and research, the two companies are also business partners.
“We will represent Wall Robotics in Asia and help them find customers in Asia, including sharing the economic benefits,” said Joe.
This will expand Wall Robotics’ reach in this part of the world. As for Terra Sol, its product range will widen with the addition of Wall Robotics’ products.
The fruitful partnership is thanks to the match at IPI’s technology matching event. The platform allows companies overseas to realise the potential applications of their work in Singapore. At the same time, Singapore companies can explore opportunities of technology and business collaboration with them.
Singapore faces mounting challenges in maintaining cleanliness and sustainability in its urban environment. With an ageing population, it is increasingly difficult to find sufficient manpower for cleaning jobs, especially in commercial and public spaces. Traditional waste bins require frequent manual checks and emptying, leading to inefficiencies and increased labour demands. At the same time, the country generates significant amounts of waste, such as nearly 60,000 tonnes of glass annually, much of which ends up in landfills, highlighting the need for more effective recycling and waste management solutions. Building maintenance presents another set of challenges, particularly in cleaning the exteriors of tall buildings. Conventional facade cleaning methods are labour-intensive and can be limited by building height and safety considerations. As Singapore’s skyline features many buildings exceeding 70 metres, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions that can address both the operational and safety aspects of facade maintenance. Both productivity and sustainability imperatives drive the search for smart, automated technologies that can alleviate manpower shortages, improve efficiency, and support the circular economy. For companies like Terra Sol, the challenge was to find and integrate advanced solutions that could address these multifaceted needs while expanding their product offerings and market reach.
IPI Singapore facilitated a strategic partnership between Terra Sol and Finland’s Wall Robotics by co-organising a technology matching event with the Helsinki Business Hub. At this event, Terra Sol and Wall Robotics discovered their complementary expertise in smart building technologies, leading to collaboration in both research and business development. Through IPI’s platform, Terra Sol was introduced to Wall Robotics’ Wall-R, a robot designed to clean the windows and exterior surfaces of buildings. Recognising the synergy, Terra Sol and Wall Robotics began working together on research and development, particularly in test-bedding Wall-R on Singapore’s taller buildings, which exceed the height limitations found in Finland. Terra Sol provided access to local buildings for proof-of-concept trials, enabling Wall Robotics to validate and enhance their technology for higher structures. Beyond technical collaboration, IPI’s intervention enabled the companies to form a business partnership. Terra Sol now represents Wall Robotics in Asia, leveraging its established client base to market and distribute Wall Robotics’ products in the region. This partnership not only expands Wall Robotics’ reach into new markets but also broadens Terra Sol’s product portfolio, reinforcing both companies’ positions in the smart building sector.
"Cleaners no longer have to patrol bins to check for fullness. The compaction also increases its capacity to handle trash, so productivity increases."
"Here’s where the Internet of Things (IoT) can help with the problem. It makes sense here."
"Close to 60,000 tonnes of glass waste per annum are making its way into our landfills here. The solution eliminates the amount of waste that we generate. We can achieve close to 100% recyclability for glass waste."
"It complements the product portfolio we already have and its line of work is closely related to what we do. We also have the client base here to help market their products."
"Finland does not have many tall buildings so they have yet to validate their solution beyond 90 metres in Finland, which is the height of the tallest building you can find in the Helsinki area. In Singapore, our buildings frequently exceed 70 metres in height. So our clients here can provide their buildings for test-bedding and proof of concept so the height barrier for Wall-R can be increased to 200 metres and beyond."
"We will represent Wall Robotics in Asia and help them find customers in Asia, including sharing the economic benefits."
Founded in 2014, Terra Sol is a Singapore-based company focused on distributing and developing smart solutions to improve productivity and address manpower shortages in cleaning and waste management. The company distributes Bigbelly smart waste bins across Singapore and offers other products such as glass crushers and food waste composters, all aimed at advancing automation and sustainability.