(Yicai Global) Nov. 21 -- The robotics arm of Japanese conglomerate Softbank Group is gearing up for the release of Whiz, its latest commercial cleaning robot, which was built using Chinese parts.

The bot comes with a hand controller for the user to define its working space, and then it can clean autonomously using laser sensors, a 3D-camera and collision detectors, Softbank Robotics said in a statement on Nov. 19. It lasts three hours on a single charge and can clean an area of 1,500 square meters within that time.

San Diego-based startup Brain, which received USD100 billion in funding from the Softbank Vision Fund, made the sensors for Whiz, while a Chinese manufacture produced the robot's body.

Clients will be able to use the bot via a robotics-as-a-service contract costing JPY25,000 (USD222) a month. Reservations open in February for deliveries in March.

Whiz is a change in direction from Softbank's last robot, Pepper, whose primary purpose is to recognize human emotions and interact with people. Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn made Pepper, which was mostly used in customer services but was also purchased by individual buyers.