Thinker Begins Joint Trial with NEC to Automate Chemical Experiment Processes

Thinker Inc. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; CEO: Hiromichi Fujimoto), a company working to make robots as easy to use as home appliances, has been selected as one of the partner startups for NEC Corporation under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'Open Innovation Promotion Project Utilizing Assets of Large Enterprises (Tokyo Cross Lab).'

In this project, utilizing the NEC Abiko business site, the companies will combine Thinker's unique robotic hand technology—which applies proprietary proximity sensors—with NEC’s experimental environment and expertise in materials informatics (MI). They aim to automate experimental processes and explore the possibilities of robot utilization in R&D and laboratory environments.

To date, Thinker has focused on the development and social implementation of robotic hands, leveraging its proprietary proximity sensor technology. This initiative expands the application scope of their technology beyond manufacturing sites to the fields of R&D and laboratory testing. NEC expressed high expectations for the initiative, noting the strong compatibility between Thinker's proximity-sensor-equipped robotic hands and the needs for automated sample handling and equipment operation in chemical and material experiments, as well as Thinker's commitment to social implementation.

Moving forward, while continuing to address on-site challenges in the manufacturing and logistics sectors, Thinker will continue to expand the potential for robot utilization—including in R&D and laboratory settings—to make robots more accessible, easy to use, and to contribute to creating environments where humans and robots can truly collaborate.