Japanese robot software developer Mujin plans to go public by 2030, building up funds and momentum to capture fast-growing demand for factory-use AI.

Mujin Corp., a robotic automation company, has launched a subscription service for MujinOS, its operating system for intelligent robotics. The move shifts the industry from traditional one-time software licensing to a recurring model, providing customers with continuous software upgrades, technical support and system monitoring. The subscription includes managed upgrades delivered by Mujin's engineering team, dedicated support hours and access to a customer portal for issue tracking. The model aims to reduce operating costs whilst enabling customers to benefit from ongoing advances in vision algorithms, motion planning and analytics. Initially available for single SKU palletising applications, the service will expand to additional applications later this year. Standard and Premium tiers offer flexible support levels, with the operational expenditure model designed to lower barriers to entry compared to traditional capital purchases.

Mujin, a Japanese robotics software firm, has secured Japan's largest startup funding round, valuing the company at over $1.5 billion. The company develops a comprehensive software platform that enables robots to perform diverse tasks—from picking and packing to assembly—without extensive reprogramming. Unlike traditional robotics firms focused on hardware, Mujin creates the "brain for robots" using 3D perception, motion planning and AI-powered control. Its dynamic perception technology allows robots to scan and understand environments in real time, adapting to changing conditions without pre-programmed maps. The substantial funding signals growing investor confidence in Japanese robotics and AI companies. Japan's startup ecosystem is experiencing robust growth, supported by government initiatives and increasing venture capital investment, positioning the country as an emerging force in global robotics and artificial intelligence.