In a bold move to revolutionize warehouse logistics, Tokyo-based Kyodo Robotics has closed a $120 million Series C funding round led by Tiger Global Management and Mitsui & Co. Ventures, with participation from SoftBank Ventures Asia and Horizon Robotics Capital.

Founded in 2019, Kyodo develops AI-driven mobile robots and warehouse orchestration platforms aimed at reducing human error, increasing throughput, and optimizing space utilization in fulfillment centers.

“Global e-commerce growth is outpacing warehouse capacity and labor availability,” said Hiroshi Yamamoto, CEO and co-founder. “Kyodo is designing intelligent, autonomous systems that enable 24/7 operations, even in high-demand peak seasons.”

🌐 From Tokyo to the World

Kyodo Robotics already serves major clients including Rakuten, Cainiao, and JD Logistics, and has recently begun pilots with European and U.S. logistics players.

Its flagship robot, “TORA-X”, integrates advanced LIDAR, computer vision, and reinforcement learning to navigate densely packed warehouses, learn optimal routes in real-time, and coordinate with human workers seamlessly.

The platform also includes KyodoOS, a software layer that analyzes workflow data to automatically rebalance task allocation across fleets — much like an air traffic control system for indoor logistics.

📊 Expansion Strategy

• The company plans to use the fresh capital to build new robot assembly plants in Osaka and Ho Chi Minh City.

• Kyodo will double its R&D headcount and launch in North America by Q1 2026.

• It is also entering the cold storage and pharmaceutical warehouse sectors, which demand higher precision and safety standards.

“We’re seeing a convergence between robotics, AI, and logistics software that’s redefining what warehouses can be,” noted Leila Burns, senior analyst at Global Robotics Index. “Kyodo is well-positioned as one of Asia’s most promising players in this convergence.”

🧠 Analyst Take

As global supply chains continue adapting to labor shortages, e-commerce pressures, and on-demand logistics, Kyodo Robotics exemplifies the next generation of scalable, intelligent automation. By coupling proprietary AI with robust physical platforms, it’s challenging legacy industrial automation players with a nimbler, software-centric approach.