LexxPluss Unveils the Development of a New Autonomous Mobile Robot for the Manufacturing and Automotive Industries

Accelerating product development to meet the growing demand for automation in Japan and the U.S.

Kawasaki, Japan – October 23, 2023 – LexxPluss, Inc., a Japanese startup developing next-generation automation solutions, announces its selection for the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) support program. The company has secured ¥1.9 billion JPY (approximately $12.7 million USD*) over two years to expedite the development of a new Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) tailored for manufacturing facilities and automotive plants.

This significant NEDO grant, combined with LexxPluss’s existing financial resources, totals ¥2.9 billion JPY (approximately $19.4 million USD*), enables the startup to enhance automation in these sectors. The AMR is set to launch in the fall of 2024, with implementation planned in Japan and the United States in 2025.

* Exchange Rate: All currency values are converted at the rate of 1 USD = 150 JPY as of October 24, 2023, for reference.

LexxPluss’s AMRs utilize autonomous navigation and laser technology, eliminating the need for magnetic tape installations along transport routes, a departure from conventional AGVs. The new model, designed specifically for manufacturing facilities and automotive plants, offers unmatched flexibility. It can adapt transport routes swiftly in response to changes in parts and processes, accommodating the shifting production ratios of gasoline-powered vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs).The weight capacity of the new model has been doubled to facilitate the seamless transport of vehicle components such as electric axles, batteries and inverters.

CEO Masaya Aso stated, “Our goal is to automate the link between the assembly lines and the parts warehouse, which even in modern car factories is still a manual process.”

LexxPluss is initiating its first project in the United States, focusing on material handling automation, particularly in EV production lines. This initiative aligns with the global shift to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and caters to the need for adaptable automation solutions that can accommodate frequent changes in production lines, crucial for automotive manufacturers.

Additionally, LexxPluss’s initiatives have been recognized through their selection for the Deep Tech Startup Support Project under NEDO. The company will invest in four key technology areas:

1. Next-Generation Autonomous Mobile Solution: Developing high-durability systems meeting international safety standards.
2. Advanced Cycle Time Estimation Function: Enabling real-time monitoring and improvement of goods flow for overall factory enhancement.
3. Integration with Manufacturing Execution System (MES): Standardizing system APIs for seamless integration with other production systems.
4. Collaboration with Advanced Technologies: Partnering with innovative technologies to advance information utilization and production efficiency.

About LexxPluss

LexxPluss, Inc. headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, is at the forefront of autonomous industrial infrastructure evolution. With a mission to resolve challenges in the logistics and manufacturing industries, LexxPluss develops, manufactures, and sells robotics and automation products, including the Hybrid-AMR and the robot integration control system Konnectt.

Company name: LexxPluss, Inc.

Representative: Masaya Aso

Headquarters: Kawasaki Station Tower RiverK 18F, 12-1 Ekimae Honcho, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa / 210-0007 Japan

U.S. Office: 11 Municipal Drive, Suite 200, Fishers, IN 46038

Website: www.lexxpluss.com/en/