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Digital Solutions & Data Responsibility
Mitsubishi Fuso Pitch Event Seeks Partners in Automation
20 Apr 2022
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Mitsubishi Fuso’s open innovation program, FUSO GreenLab, and the Kawasaki Business Incubation Center conducted a Reverse Pitching event on April 12th.
The goal was to seek partners for the co-development of factory automation solutions.
Over the past 15 years, Mitsubishi Fuso has been implementing its Factory of the Future plans. They seek to improve factory efficiency and safety and manufacture commercial vehicles through smart tools, digitalization, and worker development. They also focus on automation to reduce heavy lifting and physically demanding tasks.
The event began with an introduction from Hironobu Ando, the Senior Vice President and Head of R&D. He delivered a speech on the impetus for innovation at Mitsubishi Fuso and the mobility sector. Then two senior experts from FUSO’s plant automation team, Yoshihiko Ozaki and Lichieh Chen spoke to about 100 participants from the local business community via an online seminar.
They presented two current factory automation challenges. These pertained to in-house automated picking robots with wireless connectivity and automated solutions for bolt tightening and inspection tasks.
Following this reverse pitching session, interested attendees have the opportunity to pitch their innovative solutions on May 17, 19, and 20.
This event parallels the wider vision of Daimler Truck, of which Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is an integral part. The organization seeks to develop mobility solutions to embrace a better life for all people and the planet.
Mitsubishi Fuso supports this co-development with various resources. This includes access to its Kawasaki BotLab and 1.17 million square-meter Kitsuregawa proving grounds in Tochigi prefecture. Other benefits include mentorship from experts and access to 170 international markets. There is also the potential for further collaborations within Daimler Truck, one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers.
MFTBC’s headquarters are located in Kawasaki, Japan, a leading-edge international industrial city with many research and development institutes. The local business community has a history of collaboration with outside organizations.
This initiative is supported by the event’s cohost, the Kawasaki Business Incubation Center (KBIC), which was founded in 2003. KBIC provides activities and support for startups including workspace for R&D activities and events throughout the year.
For more details on the second round of this reverse pitching event or on FUSO GreenLab, please visit our events page.
Selected applicants who have submitted ideas addressing FUSO’s challenges will be invited to participate in the next round.
With knowledge sharing, co-creation and transparency, MFTBC believes that in collaboration with external stakeholders, all parties can achieve more working together. Let’s innovate together for a better future for people and the planet.
