Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho") announced today that it has invested in and signed a joint business development agreement with LINKWIZ, Inc. ("LINKWIZ"), a startup company developing control software for industrial robots.

In many manufacturing industries, structural challenges surrounding production sites, such as labor shortages and the transfer of experience and skills, are becoming increasingly severe. The automation of production lines using robots has become essential not only for enhancing productivity but also for business continuity.

Toyota Tsusho has long operated a machinery and equipment business focused on introducing industrial robots to manufacturing production sites both in Japan and overseas—primarily within the mobility industry—to support automation. Through these initiatives, Toyota Tsusho has identified expectations and needs from manufacturing sites for more advanced and highly autonomous robots, such as those capable of handling high-mix production and adapting flexibly to objects (works) with varying shapes.

LINKWIZ develops software that rapidly processes point cloud data acquired by robot “eye” sensors, enabling high-precision recognition of the 3D shapes of target objects. By analyzing acquired data using proprietary algorithms, the software enables robots to replicate the sophisticated judgments and subtle adjustments traditionally performed by skilled workers at production sites. This includes automated corrections for robot teaching like welding, painting, and assembly—tasks difficult for conventional programs—as well as advanced quality checks, including visual inspections.

Furthermore, the company’s software features high versatility and scalability, enabling application regardless of robot manufacturer or model.

This investment aims to further expand the business by strengthening the robotics value chain. Through implementation at manufacturing sites, this aim will be achieved by combining LINKWIZ’s robot technological capabilities, including its autonomous control software, with the Toyota Tsusho Group’s expertise, on-site capabilities, and customer base cultivated over many years in the machinery and equipment business.

Going forward, Toyota Tsusho will advance the joint development of autonomous robot solutions required for mass production processes, while also aiming to leverage the Toyota Tsusho Group’s network for future deployment into the global market.

Through this investment in and collaboration with LINKWIZ, Toyota Tsusho will help create a technological foundation that supports sustainable manufacturing by creating and expanding solutions in the robotics business and enhancing productivity and quality at manufacturing sites.

[LINKWIZ software]

Company name	LINKWIZ, Inc.
Address	Chuo-ku Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka
Founding year	March 2015
Capital	100M JPY
Representative	Go Fukino CEO
Business Contents	Development of robot control software solutions
Website	https://linkwiz.co.jp/