Work Support Robot 'SUPPOT' Improves Performance, New Features Released
SOMIC Transformation Co., Ltd. is releasing new features for its work support robot, 'SUPPOT,' on April 8, 2026, to boost on-site productivity. These upgrades include increased autonomous driving speed, a route switching button, and a new display unit for operational status. The company will showcase the enhanced SUPPOT at 'Japan DX Week' in Tokyo in April and 'INTERMOLD' in Nagoya in May.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 02:30 (369h 42m after Collected)
SOMIC Transformation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture; Co-Representative Directors: Shogo Ishikawa, Masayuki Okura) will release new features for its self-developed and provided work support robot 'SUPPOT' on April 8, 2026, to further improve on-site productivity.
In addition, to provide an opportunity to experience the new features firsthand, the company has decided to exhibit at 'Japan DX Week' in Tokyo in April and 'INTERMOLD' in Nagoya in May.
Overview of New Features
Three upgrades have been made to further enhance transportation efficiency and on-site adaptability. These will contribute to smoother daily operations and improved on-site productivity.
Feature ①: Improved speed during autonomous operation
The conventional driving speed of approximately 1 km/h during autonomous operation has been increased to approximately 3 km/h. This significantly shortens transportation time and improves overall work efficiency. It is particularly effective in environments with many transport cycles and long travel distances.
Feature ②: Route switching button
The driving route can now be easily changed with a single button. This allows for flexible response to changes in site layout and traffic flow across multiple routes, increasing operational freedom.
Feature ③: Display unit
Information such as the driving route name and battery level is displayed on the main unit. This allows for a quick grasp of the current operating status, reducing management effort and enabling reliable operation.
These features were developed based on feedback from the field, obtained through the actual operation of 12 SUPPOT units at the factory of our group company, SOMIC Ishikawa Co., Ltd. Because we have our own verification environment rather than just theoretical studies, we are able to realize 'improvements that are truly usable on site.'
Exhibition Information
The latest model of SUPPOT, equipped with new features, will be unveiled at the following exhibitions. At the venues, actual driving demonstrations and consultations for introduction simulations will be available.
① [Tokyo] Japan DX Week
Dates: April 8 (Wed) - 10 (Fri), 2026
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Booth: East Hall 7, 'E30-50'
URL: https://www.japan-it.jp/hub/ja-jp/lp/vis/spring/dx_b.html
② [Nagoya] INTERMOLD (INTERMOLD Nagoya)
Dates: May 20 (Wed) - 22 (Fri), 2026
Venue: Port Messe Nagoya
Booth: Exhibition Hall 1, 2-345
URL: https://www.intermold.jp/nagoya/
About 'SUPPOT'
Currently, severe labor shortages due to declining birthrates and an aging population are urgent issues in manufacturing, logistics, and construction sites, and expectations for automation using AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) as a solution are rising. On the other hand, for many companies, preparing the working environment for robots, such as eliminating steps and smoothing floors for travel, presents a hurdle to adoption.
Against this backdrop, SUPPOT leverages its high rough-terrain maneuverability and transport capability to achieve automation and labor savings even in environments where conventional AGVs and AMRs struggle, such as uneven terrain, steps, slopes, and inter-building movement outdoors, supporting sites as an immediate asset. In response to feedback from adopting companies, we have now improved autonomous driving speed and developed new options.
SOMIC Transformation Co., Ltd. was established in November 2021 as a business company of the SOMIC Group to challenge businesses that solve social issues through business, with a business domain focusing on social transformation and sustainable transformation. In April 2022, it began providing the work support robot 'SUPPOT,' which incorporates the undercarriage know-how cultivated by SOMIC Ishikawa Co., Ltd., an automotive parts manufacturer with over 100 years of history.
URL: https://www.somic-transformation.co.jp/
URL: https://suppot.jp/
In addition, to provide an opportunity to experience the new features firsthand, the company has decided to exhibit at 'Japan DX Week' in Tokyo in April and 'INTERMOLD' in Nagoya in May.
Overview of New Features
Three upgrades have been made to further enhance transportation efficiency and on-site adaptability. These will contribute to smoother daily operations and improved on-site productivity.
Feature ①: Improved speed during autonomous operation
The conventional driving speed of approximately 1 km/h during autonomous operation has been increased to approximately 3 km/h. This significantly shortens transportation time and improves overall work efficiency. It is particularly effective in environments with many transport cycles and long travel distances.
Feature ②: Route switching button
The driving route can now be easily changed with a single button. This allows for flexible response to changes in site layout and traffic flow across multiple routes, increasing operational freedom.
Feature ③: Display unit
Information such as the driving route name and battery level is displayed on the main unit. This allows for a quick grasp of the current operating status, reducing management effort and enabling reliable operation.
These features were developed based on feedback from the field, obtained through the actual operation of 12 SUPPOT units at the factory of our group company, SOMIC Ishikawa Co., Ltd. Because we have our own verification environment rather than just theoretical studies, we are able to realize 'improvements that are truly usable on site.'
Exhibition Information
The latest model of SUPPOT, equipped with new features, will be unveiled at the following exhibitions. At the venues, actual driving demonstrations and consultations for introduction simulations will be available.
① [Tokyo] Japan DX Week
Dates: April 8 (Wed) - 10 (Fri), 2026
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
Booth: East Hall 7, 'E30-50'
URL: https://www.japan-it.jp/hub/ja-jp/lp/vis/spring/dx_b.html
② [Nagoya] INTERMOLD (INTERMOLD Nagoya)
Dates: May 20 (Wed) - 22 (Fri), 2026
Venue: Port Messe Nagoya
Booth: Exhibition Hall 1, 2-345
URL: https://www.intermold.jp/nagoya/
About 'SUPPOT'
Currently, severe labor shortages due to declining birthrates and an aging population are urgent issues in manufacturing, logistics, and construction sites, and expectations for automation using AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) as a solution are rising. On the other hand, for many companies, preparing the working environment for robots, such as eliminating steps and smoothing floors for travel, presents a hurdle to adoption.
Against this backdrop, SUPPOT leverages its high rough-terrain maneuverability and transport capability to achieve automation and labor savings even in environments where conventional AGVs and AMRs struggle, such as uneven terrain, steps, slopes, and inter-building movement outdoors, supporting sites as an immediate asset. In response to feedback from adopting companies, we have now improved autonomous driving speed and developed new options.
SOMIC Transformation Co., Ltd. was established in November 2021 as a business company of the SOMIC Group to challenge businesses that solve social issues through business, with a business domain focusing on social transformation and sustainable transformation. In April 2022, it began providing the work support robot 'SUPPOT,' which incorporates the undercarriage know-how cultivated by SOMIC Ishikawa Co., Ltd., an automotive parts manufacturer with over 100 years of history.
URL: https://www.somic-transformation.co.jp/
URL: https://suppot.jp/