ecoro Launches Full-Scale Expansion of Automated 'Inter-Building Transport' in Japan, Seeking Partners for Pilot Projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ecoro Co., Ltd.

June 8, 2026

ecoro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEOs: Miyu Nishihira, Daniel Daum) has established a Japanese subsidiary to fully launch its logistics system, which integrates automated loading, transport, and unloading in outdoor environments. To address the untapped domain of 'inter-building transport,' the company is promoting pilot projects and installations in airports, logistics facilities, and factories across Japan, and has begun recruiting collaboration and implementation partners.

Background of the Japanese Subsidiary

The Japanese logistics industry is facing challenges such as a structural shortage of truck drivers—symbolized by the '2024 Logistics Problem'—and rising logistics costs. Projections suggest that approximately 34% of transport capacity could be lost by 2030, making the creation of a sustainable logistics system a critical issue.

Existing automated transport systems are mostly designed for indoor use. Technical gaps remain in outdoor走行 performance, automation of loading/unloading, and short-distance transport between buildings and facilities. Logistics tasks within large premises like warehouses, factories, and airports rely heavily on manual labor, offering significant room for labor savings and efficiency improvements.

To tackle these issues, ecoro has decided to launch its business in Japan, positioning its logistics solution as one that can realize automation tailored to site needs without requiring major facility modifications or heavy initial investment. The company claims it is 'cheaper than trucks, faster than AMRs, and outdoor-ready.' Furthermore, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) promoting the 'AutoFlow Road' initiative, ecoro views Japan as a vital market for realizing its founding vision.

The ecoro Logistics System

ecoro provides a fully autonomous outdoor cargo mobility system. By combining electric shuttles, dedicated transport lanes, control software, and automatic loading terminals, it connects logistics processes that have historically been fragmented into a single integrated system.

[Feature 1] Cost-Effectiveness through Infrastructure-Vehicle Coordination Rather than concentrating excessive functions in the vehicle, the company optimizes role allocation with the infrastructure. This aims to reduce costs per vehicle to about one-eighth compared to conventional autonomous systems, potentially cutting operating costs by 66–80% compared to manual transport using forklifts or trucks.

[Feature 2] End-to-End Automation In logistics, loading and unloading are as labor-intensive as transport. ecoro optimizes these not as separate tasks, but as a single integrated process to support overall productivity.

[Feature 3] Outdoor and Facility-to-Facility Compatibility Unlike indoor-focused AMRs or autonomous trucks restricted from public roads, ecoro’s system is ideal for transport between buildings within private land or large facilities. Implementation can be advanced relatively quickly for regular transport tasks at airports, logistics centers, and factories.

Target Markets and Use Cases

ecoro mainly targets airports, logistics centers, and manufacturing plants in Japan.

At airports, the system enables autonomous transport between passenger terminals and cargo facilities. In logistics facilities and warehouses, it aims to reduce the burden of repetitive short-distance transport between buildings. In manufacturing plants, it contributes to stable component supply and optimization of intra-site logistics.

Additionally, ecoro is the only overseas company participating in the consortium for the MLIT's AutoFlow Road initiative, aiming not just for product installation, but for contributions to forming Japan's next-generation logistics infrastructure.

Initiatives in Japan and Overseas

ecoro is actively advancing various initiatives globally. In 2026, it plans paid Proof of Concept (PoC) projects in multiple regions including Japan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. It has signed pre-order contracts with German firms and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Saudi Arabian Royal Commission.

In the EU, it has received subsidies as part of the 'Virtual Dedicated Logistics Lanes for Logistics (ViDeLL)' project, accumulating expertise in both research and implementation. In Japan, it will continue to push forward with site-driven initiatives aimed at real-world social implementation.