KG Motors Announces Capital Investment from Mitsuba Corporation to Strengthen Technical Collaboration

KG Motors Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Representative Director CEO: Issei Kusunoki; hereinafter "KG Motors") announces that it has received capital investment from Mitsuba Corporation (Headquarters: Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture; Representative Director President: Sadami Hino; hereinafter "Mitsuba") to further strengthen technical collaboration in the drive system for its small mobility "mibot."

Background

mibot is a single-person small mobility that redefines the way we move, based on the vision of "creating a future where tomorrow is better than today." Collaboration between the two companies began in the early stages of mibot's development, with KG Motors working with Mitsuba to design, evaluate, and test motors suitable for mibot. These efforts have not been limited to the prototype stage but have progressed through implementation and verification in actual vehicles, already moving to delivery to initial customers and proof-of-concept (PoC) operations for corporations.

Technical Initiatives

mibot complies with moped mini-car standards, which requires achieving climbing performance, acceleration performance, and top speed within limited output. These are trade-offs, and the design and control of the motor, which balances these within limited output, determines the very viability of the product. In addition, under the constraints of small size, light weight, and low cost, optimization different from existing EVs is required.

The two companies have been working to optimize Mitsuba's "MA01" drive motor for mibot, focusing on motor design and control. With this investment as an opportunity, both companies will continue to refine performance by utilizing data obtained during mass production and actual operation.

Comment from Issei Kusunoki, Representative Director CEO, KG Motors Co., Ltd.

mibot is a challenging product that balances driving performance and cost within limited output. We feel great significance in continuing to collaborate as a partner to refine mass production and actual operation, with this investment from Mitsuba Corporation, who has been deeply involved in the motor domain since the early stages of development. We will continue to make continuous improvements based on real-world usage data to provide users with a comfortable mobility experience.

Comment from Sadami Hino, Representative Director President, Mitsuba Corporation

We expect that the fusion of KG Motors' expertise in the small mobility domain and our motor technology will contribute to realizing "safe and secure" mobility, solving regional mobility issues, and achieving a decarbonized society. We will continue to pioneer the future of new mobility through further verification.

About the small mobility "mibot"

"mibot" is a single-person electric mini-car optimized for the functions necessary for daily travel, addressing the issue that "cars are too big."

With a compact and lightweight body measuring 2,485mm in length, 1,140mm in width, 1,470mm in height, and weighing approximately 470kg, it efficiently supports daily "one-mile" travel such as shopping and commuting to and from the station.

While complying with moped mini-car standards, it is designed to balance driving performance and comfort, with a cruising range of approximately 100km (manufacturer's announced value) and heating and cooling.

About the MA01 Drive Motor

Mitsuba's inner rotor drive motor for small motorcycles and small mobility. Three types with different outputs are available depending on the application. Its high-efficiency design contributes to extending the vehicle's cruising range, and its natural air-cooled design eliminates the need for auxiliary cooling equipment, enabling simplified vehicle configuration.

Contact for this matter

KG Motors Co., Ltd. Public Relations
info@kg-m.jp