INCJ leads $10m round for Japan robotics start-up
Japanese robotics company 3D Media has received a JPY1.1 billion ($10 million) investment from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Sparx Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital.
According to a statement, INCJ will invest up to JPY800 million, while Sparx and Mitsubishi will contribute JPY250 million and JPY50 million, respectively. INCJ and Sparx will also offer management support through the appointment of outside directors and participate in a marketing push by strengthening the company's business development framework.
The capital will advance mass production and commercialization efforts as well as R&D work related to the company's 3D robot vision technology. 3D Media is expected to open an R&D office is in Tokyo later this year and an intelligent robot research institute by 2017.
An aggressive international expansion has been planned through partnerships with domestic and global robot manufacturers along with new product developments aimed at reducing the size and weight of the 3D vision system. These initiatives will be supported by the establishment of an overseas sales network and the hiring of new personnel.
Founded in 2000, 3D Media is developing what is said to be the world's first 3D robot vision system for use by industrial robots. As of March, sales volumes to customers in automotive, electrical machinery and other industries had surpassed 130 units, with more than 30 units now in use on production lines.
The 3D vision system works by allowing industrial robots to recognize the position of individual objects and move independently of preconfigured patterns. Conventional robots can only move in programmed patterns, which has made it impossible for them to do tasks that require more improvised movement. The technology is expected to service developing countries where labor costs are rising as well as Japan where labor shortages are projected.
INCJ has the capacity to invest up to JPY2 trillion under its remit to promote next-generation businesses in Japan.
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