Robotruck Inc., a developer of autonomous driving solutions for trucks, announced in July 2025 that it has raised approximately ¥1.2 billion in a Pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by Globis Capital Partners, with participation from ORIX Corporation and several other investors.
Robotruck is a startup aiming to address Japan’s “2024 logistics problem” with world-class autonomous trucking technology.
The company’s founder, Nan Wu, previously conducted autonomous driving research at Waseda University, serving as a research assistant and later as a senior researcher (Visiting Associate Professor). In 2016, he co-founded an autonomous driving startup in the United States, where he spearheaded the development of the world’s first Level 4 autonomous heavy-duty truck and saw the company through to a successful IPO on NASDAQ.
In April 2024, Wu launched Robotruck in Japan as a new challenge. Leveraging proprietary AI algorithms and technology, Robotruck was selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Mobility DX Support Program for Unmanned Autonomous Driving Development and Demonstration.” Within its first year, the company successfully conducted a Level 4 equivalent 100 km test run on the Shin-Tomei Expressway between Suruga Bay Numazu SA and Hamamatsu SA.
Looking ahead, RoboTruck plans to run Level 4 equivalent demonstration experiments between Tokyo and Nagoya in fiscal 2025, expand to Tokyo–Osaka in fiscal 2026, and launch its commercial product in 2028. The company aspires to become Japan’s leading player in long-haul autonomous trucking, working closely with existing logistics operators to solve critical industry challenges.
Editor’s Comment :
This funding has drawn particular attention as Wu’s prior success in the field and the participation of deep-pocketed investor Globis Capital Partners signal strong confidence in RoboTruck’s potential. Autonomous driving for trucks requires far more sophisticated technology than for passenger cars, as acceleration and braking need significant adjustments depending on cargo weight. Can Japan, traditionally a powerhouse in the automotive industry, reclaim its edge and outpace the U.S. in this critical domain?
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Official Site : https://robotruck.jp
PR TImes: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000159893.html
