Exhibition Tech Insights_ver05.
- Shigenori Tanaka
- 7月31日
- 読了時間: 3分
2026/07/31
This series introduces only the technologies that I personally encountered at exhibitions and judged as truly useful for on-site improvement or distinctive in their approach.
Rather than simple product promotion, I focus exclusively on practical solutions that directly address real challenges in manufacturing environments.
=====================================================
Technologies That Solve On‑Site Problems Found at the 38th Manufacturing World Tokyo 2026 — Preferred Robotics—
Manufacturing World Tokyo 2026, held over three days at Tokyo Big Sight from July 1 to July 3, featured many exhibitors showcasing AMRs (Automatic Mobile Robots).
Among them, one product that drew particular attention was “Kachaka Pro,” a lightweight‑item transport AMR developed by Preferred Robotics.
With approval from Preferred Robotics, I am sharing an overview of the product here.
Features and Value of the Japan‑Made Small AMR “Kachaka Pro”
— A New Approach to Transport Automation Through Domestic Production, Low Cost, and Specialization in Lightweight Loads —
Japan’s logistics sites are facing increasing labor shortages and strong demand for efficiency.
In this environment, Kachaka Pro, developed and manufactured by Preferred Robotics (Headquarters: Otemachi, Chiyoda‑ku, Tokyo), has attracted attention for its unique approach compared to conventional large AMRs.
Kachaka Pro represents a new category of lightweight‑item transport robots and has earned strong recognition in the domestic market.
This article summarizes its key features, differentiation points, an overview of Preferred Robotics, and observations from the exhibition.
1. Manufacturer: Preferred Robotics (Tokyo, Otemachi)
Preferred Robotics is a dedicated autonomous mobile robot manufacturer established when the robotics division of Preferred Networks (PFN) became independent.
Founded in November 2021, the company maintains domestic capabilities for research, development, and manufacturing, while collaborating with external partners for certain production processes.
Guided by the vision “Robots for Everyone,” the company develops robots for factories, medical facilities, restaurants, offices, and other diverse environments.
2. High Reliability Through Domestic Production (Made in Japan)
Many large AMRs on the market today are manufactured overseas—particularly in China—where quality and security evaluations require careful consideration.
In contrast, Kachaka Pro is developed in Japan, and its manufacturing utilizes domestic production frameworks, making it one of the few AMRs with such a structure.
Key reliability advantages include:
• Strict quality control by Japanese manufacturers
• Stable long‑term supply and maintenance parts availability
• Strong security assurance
• Fast domestic support
Reliability is one of the most critical factors in logistics automation, and domestic production offers significant value.
3. Affordable Price Range for Easy Adoption
Large AMRs are typically expensive, creating a high barrier for small and mid‑sized warehouses.
Kachaka Pro is offered at one of the lowest price ranges in the industry, providing:
• Low initial investment
• Easy trial deployment starting with a few units
• Scalable efficiency through multi‑unit operation
• Short ROI period
This makes it well‑suited for sites wanting to “start with one unit first.”
4. Designed Specifically for Lightweight Transport
Many AMRs are designed for heavy loads, but in actual warehouses, lightweight picking tasks dominate daily operations.
Kachaka Pro specializes in lightweight transport with a maximum payload of 30 kg, making it ideal for:
• EC warehouse picking
• Small logistics centers
• In‑hospital material transport
• Retail back‑room operations
• Office item movement
By targeting a different domain from large AMRs, it occupies a blue‑ocean market with limited competition.
5. No.1 Domestic Market Share (Small AMR Category)
Preferred Robotics holds the top share in Japan’s small AMR market, with official announcements stating “No.1 in domestic AMR unit share.”
• Numerous domestic installations
• Stable mass‑production capability
• Strong domestic support
• High user satisfaction
Existing market traction provides strong assurance for companies considering adoption.
6. A New Approach to Transport Automation
Kachaka Pro is not a smaller version of large AMRs—it is a new category focused on lightweight transport.
This specialization enables:
• Automation even in small warehouses
• Easy robot adoption for EC operators
• Expansion into non‑logistics fields such as medical and retail
• Maximum efficiency through multi‑unit operation
Combining domestic reliability with affordability, Kachaka Pro has the potential to become a new standard in Japan’s logistics automation.
■ Summary
Kachaka Pro offers a powerful combination of:
Domestic production × Low cost × Lightweight specialization × No.1 domestic share × Preferred Robotics’ engineering capabilities.
After seeing the actual unit at Manufacturing World Tokyo 2026, I was able to confirm both its completeness and strong market fit.
I will continue sharing technologies discovered at exhibitions that contribute to practical on‑site improvement.
🟦 Contact
If you are interested in Kachaka Pro by Preferred Robotics, please contact me first.
I will be happy to connect you with Preferred Robotics.
Contact: info@metricjapan.com
=====================================================
TAGs
コメント