Dexterity, Sumitomo Corporation establish joint venture to accelerate AI-powered robot adoption in Japan

Dexterity and Sumitomo Corporation announced the creation of Dexterity-SC Japan, a new joint venture focused on accelerating the adoption of AI-powered intelligent robotic offerings for warehouse, supply chain, logistics and other labor-intensive industrial operations. 

This news builds on a successful distribution agreement between the two companies in 2022. The newly formed Dexterity-SC Japan will sell, market, localize and provide financing options for AI-powered robotic offerings. They will leverage cutting-edge AI technology and intelligent robotics to solve the most complicated, dynamic material handling challenges in industrial settings. 

Labor shortage hitting hard in Japan

According to the Japan Times, recent labor statistics in Japan estimate that there will be up to a 35% transportation capacity shortage by 2030, impacting industries across the Japanese economy.

“The timing has never been more urgent for companies in Japan to adopt technological solutions to address the combined impacts of labor shortages and rising demand for e-commerce,” said Norihiko Nonaka, automotive group CEO at Sumitomo Corporation. “Dexterity-SC Japan will help close that gap by enabling Japanese companies to leverage proven technology already used by leading parcel, 3PL, and manufacturing companies in the U.S.” 

Dexterity-SC Japan will offer truck loading, truck unloading, palletizing and depalletizing products that will help better leverage existing manpower in the logistics industry. 

“In partnership with a trusted industry leader like Sumitomo Corporation, we are confident that Japanese companies will be able to quickly realize the benefits of market proven AI-powered robotic solutions in their logistics operations,” said Dexterity CEO, Samir Menon. 

Sumitomo Corporation and Dexterity previously announced a partnership to deliver 1,500 Dexterity-powered robots by 2026, including 500 truck loading robots for Japanese warehouses. Sumitomo Corporation also invested in Dexterity in 2020 through Presidio Ventures Inc., Sumitomo Corporation’s U.S.-based corporate venture capital arm.

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