Domestic AI Robot Ugo Secures 1 Billion JPY in Debt Financing

Domestic AI robot series "ugo" and the "ugo Platform" for integrated management of multiple robots have secured a total of 1 billion JPY in debt financing from Mizuho Bank, Bank of Yokohama, and the Japan Finance Corporation, as announced on the 21st. With this funding, the total amount raised by ugo has reached approximately 5 billion JPY. The specifics of the borrowing amounts and conditions from each financial institution have not been disclosed.

The ugo series is utilized for patrols and surveillance in office buildings and commercial facilities, equipment inspections in plants and power stations, and interactive guidance in stations and commercial spaces. It operates autonomously while avoiding obstacles and can be managed through a combination of remote control and automation.

The ugo Platform allows centralized management of multiple units, enabling remote operations, no-code automation program creation, map creation, route generation, and automated report generation, according to the company. The lineup includes a small model dedicated to inspection with a 4K camera, a full-spec model capable of operating elevators with two arms, and a low-cost DIY model, all developed and manufactured domestically.

The AI robot "ugo mini" surpassed a cumulative shipment of 100 units in March this year. In September, the semi-humanoid robot "ugo Nova" aimed at physical AI was announced. The company has established a system to integrate robots, data, and AI models, supporting the development of foundational robot models using the real-world data collected by ugo Nova and data collection kits.

The funding will be used for the development of AI models that allow robots to autonomously understand and work in on-site conditions, as well as for the development and mass production of domestic AI robots like ugo Nova and the development of physical AI services that collect and utilize on-site data by combining AI models with robots. BRIDGE reported the story.