<Event Report> Talk Session Event Held for Launch of JILBY, a DX Cleaning Robot for Business Use

From right: Takashi Ogura, Representative Director and President of Syncrobo Inc.; Yutaka Yoshida, Executive Officer and General Manager of Robotics Business Division at Iris Ohyama Co., Ltd.

Iris Ohyama Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; President and CEO: Akihiro Ohyama) held a talk session event titled "How Will Robot Social Implementation Progress? —Understanding the Current State of Service Robots from Real-World Operations and Development—" on June 26, 2026, at the Iris Group Tokyo Antenna Office. This event preceded the July 1, 2026 launch of JILBY, its new DX cleaning robot for business use. The session featured Yutaka Yoshida, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Robotics Business Division, and Takashi Ogura, Representative Director and President of Syncrobo Inc. They conducted a panel discussion from both operational and development perspectives, and shared practical insights through live demonstrations and hands-on experiences of the DX cleaning robot JILBY.

Efficiency and Optimization Achieved Through Three Consecutive Years of Market Leadership (※1) and Physical AI First-Ever Fully In-House Developed Software and Hardware DX Cleaning Robot "JILBY"

JILBY is a DX cleaning robot designed for businesses, automatically performing floor vacuum cleaning. Syncrobo, part of the Iris Group, developed the software in-house for the first time, while the hardware is manufactured at the company's Dalian factory (Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China).

Drawing on insights gained from the company's previous service robot deployments, JILBY addresses key challenges faced during commercial cleaning robot operations. It features user-driven enhancements such as an auto-recharge function that returns the robot to its charging station after cleaning, a quiet mode to reduce operational noise, and a design optimized for ease of operation and maintenance.

Furthermore, by integrating with the "AI Robotics Platform" provided by NTT West Japan Group (※2), JILBY realizes Physical AI. Through tablets or smartphones, users and robots can engage in two-way communication via text or voice. The AI learns from accumulated cleaning data and, via an "AI Agent," proposes optimal cleaning routes, frequencies, and time slots, thereby enhancing efficiency and optimization of cleaning operations.

Panel Discussion

〈Session 1 Where Are Service Robots in Terms of Social Implementation?〉

The discussion began with an overview of the current state of robot social implementation in Japan and the realities of today’s service robot market. The global service robot market was valued at approximately 4 trillion yen in 2022 and is projected to exceed 5 trillion yen by 2028 (※3).

Against this backdrop, Ogura noted, "Given the accelerating labor shortage due to Japan’s aging and declining population, leveraging robots and AI is no longer avoidable." He added that while robots for food delivery, cleaning, and security are becoming more visible in everyday settings, their widespread adoption remains in its early stages.

In response, Yoshida emphasized, "Deployment and actual adoption are different matters—robots only deliver value when consistently used in real-world operations." He also highlighted the importance of a positive feedback loop where operational data drives continuous product improvement.

〈Session 2 What Are the Barriers to Social Implementation?〉

Next, the panel discussed factors hindering robot adoption despite worsening labor shortages.

Yoshida identified "operational design" as the biggest challenge, noting that "many robots are introduced without sufficient integration into existing workflows." To address this, he explained, "We’ve adopted a subscription model to lower entry barriers and established a support system that maintains close, ongoing contact with customers, accompanying them through implementation and daily operations." He also stressed the importance of post-deployment support.

Ogura added, "What real-world operations demand from robots is not just advanced technology, but practical usability. No matter how high-performing a robot is, it delivers no value if it doesn’t fit the actual site. That’s why user-centric (user-in) design and specifications are crucial." This remark left a strong impression on attendees, underscoring a frequently overlooked aspect in a field often focused on technological advancement.

〈Session 3 Development and Field Collaboration: Initiatives Driving Social Implementation〉

The discussion then turned to development efforts, focusing on the creation of the DX cleaning robot JILBY.

Ogura reflected on the development process, stating, "We encountered countless failures." Regarding software development, he explained, "We struggled to adapt the robot to diverse environments across facilities. Settings that worked perfectly in one facility often failed in another, requiring repeated adjustments and validations." On the hardware side, he shared, "We implemented improvements focused on long-term usability—such as sensor design for safety and enhanced maintainability." He also noted that design elements like easy paper dust bag replacement and high operability/maintainability drew on the company’s accumulated expertise from its home appliance business, particularly in vacuum cleaners, highlighting the unique advantages of the Iris Group’s diversified operations.

Yoshida followed by stating, "Our strength lies in our integrated in-house system covering planning, development, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service." Backed by three consecutive years of No.1 vendor share in the commercial cleaning robot market (※1), he expressed confidence that insights from real-world operations enabled JILBY to become a robot truly suited for practical use.

〈Session 4 The Future of Service Robots: What Lies Ahead for Japan?〉

In the final session, the panel discussed the future of human-robot coexistence as robot social implementation accelerates.

On the future of robotics, Ogura predicted, "First, specialized robots for tasks like food delivery, cleaning, and security will become widespread, followed by humanoid robots playing a complementary role," while reiterating that "robots are not omnipotent." He explained, "A cleaner’s job isn’t just about sweeping. It involves judgment based on situational awareness and tacit knowledge gained through experience—things robots cannot understand." Looking ahead, he envisioned a future where "robots handle routine floor cleaning, while humans focus on higher-value tasks like final touches and quality assurance—transforming, rather than reducing, human work."

Yoshida referenced the Cabinet Office’s goal of Japan capturing over 30% of the global AI robotics market by 2040, aiming to become a leading AI robotics nation alongside the U.S. and China (※4). Addressing concerns that "robots might take people’s jobs," he firmly stated, "Robots are not here to replace humans, but to support them. Our development and operational design are built on the premise of robots working alongside people."

Looking ahead, Ogura expressed determination: "We aim to take Japanese-developed robot software global," and outlined their strategy: "We will continue evolving our software using real-world data and advance development with the Physical AI era in mind."

Yoshida added, "Labor shortages are not unique to Japan," and noted, "Japan’s strong reputation for cleanliness gives our cleaning robots a competitive edge. Robots refined in the Japanese market have high global potential." He concluded powerfully: "Currently, we hold the No.1 vendor share in Japan’s commercial cleaning robot market (※1). But we won’t stop there—we aim to become the world’s No.1 in service robot deployment and operations, contributing further to solving labor shortages globally."

Live Demonstration and Experience of the DX Cleaning Robot "JILBY" and Physical AI

At the event, attendees experienced live demonstrations of the DX cleaning robot JILBY. The robot showcased autonomous floor vacuum cleaning, and through the "AI Agent" function, participants interacted with the robot via tablet—issuing cleaning commands and receiving cleaning suggestions from the robot based on accumulated data—demonstrating two-way human-robot communication.

About Our Robotics Business

To address Japan’s critical labor shortage, we launched our robotics business in November 2020. Since 2023, we have achieved the No.1 vendor share in the commercial cleaning robot market for three consecutive years. To date, our service robots have been deployed by over 7,000 companies (※5) and shipped in excess of 25,000 units (※6), establishing us as a major player in the robotics industry. In July 2023, we acquired 100% of Smile Robotics Inc. (now Syncrobo Inc.), a robotics software startup, to achieve full in-house software development. In January 2026, we further expanded into security robotics by acquiring SEQSENSE Inc., Japan’s No.1 security robot manufacturer (※7), making it a consolidated subsidiary.

Speaker Profiles

【Yutaka Yoshida, Executive Officer and General Manager of Robotics Business Division, Iris Ohyama Co., Ltd.】

With experience launching new ventures across multiple industries, including foreign companies, he joined the Iris Group in 2019 and founded the Robotics Business Division in 2020. He has led the division to achieve three consecutive years of No.1 domestic vendor share in commercial cleaning robots (※1). Currently, he is driving expansion beyond cleaning robots—integrating robotics with telecommunications and leading initiatives in security robotics through SEQSENSE Inc., aiming to make the Iris Group a world-leading company in service robot social implementation.

【Takashi Ogura, Representative Director and President, Syncrobo Inc.】

After earning a Ph.D. from the Information Systems Engineering Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, he worked in robotics research and development at Toyota Motor Corporation and Google Japan G.K. In 2019, he founded Smile Robotics Inc. (now Syncrobo Inc.). Since joining the Iris Group in 2023, he has been spearheading broader social implementation and industrial expansion of robotics.

Brand Websites

DX Cleaning Robot "JILBY": https://www.irisohyama.co.jp/b2b/robotics/products/jilby/

"AI Agent": https://www.irisohyama.co.jp/b2b/robotics/products/ai-cleaning-agent/

※1: Based on Fuji Keizai's "2024, 2025, and 2026 Domestic Autonomous Mobile Robot Market Analysis" (Commercial Cleaning Robots, 2023–2025, No.1 Vendor Share).

※2: Optional feature provided by NTT West Japan Group.

※3: Reference: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, "2025 Information and Communications White Paper," Chart II-1-7-6 "Trends and Forecasts of the Global Robot Market." Converted at 160 JPY per USD.

※4: Reference: Cabinet Office "AI Robotics Strategy" (March 2026).

※5: Cumulative service robot deployments from January 2020 to December 2025 (including sales through Iris Denko Co., Ltd. and trial deployments).

※6: Cumulative service robot shipments from January 2020 to April 2026 (including sales through Iris Denko Co., Ltd. and trial deployments).

※7: Reference: Fuji Keizai "2025 Worldwide Robotics Market: Current Status and Future Outlook, Service Robots Edition" (2024, Japanese Market).