MiraiKikai Selected for METI's Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project Subsidy

MiraiKikai, Inc. (Headquarters: Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Toru Miyake; hereinafter "the company") has been selected for the FY2025 supplementary budget's 'Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project Subsidy (Small-Scale Demonstration and Feasibility Study)' by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Out of 238 applications, 65 projects were selected following external expert review (METI announcement dated June 30, 2026). Through this project, the company will conduct demonstrations in the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Singapore of an unmanned cleaning service for solar power facilities, integrating autonomous mobile robots with cloud technology.

Solar Panel Cleaning Robot Type-Z

Overview of the Selected Project

(1) Project Name Thailand and Singapore / Demonstration Project for Climate-Adaptive Operation Model of Solar Panel Cleaning Robots

(2) Implementation Period November 2026 – April 2028 (planned)

(3) Demonstration Items - Improvement in power generation efficiency through cleaning - Viability of a subscription-based business model - Year-round operability under climatic conditions such as high temperature and humidity, and distinct rainy and dry seasons

(Reference) METI's official announcement of selected projects: https://www.meti.go.jp/information/publicoffer/saitaku/2026/s260630002.html

Background: Power Generation Loss Due to Solar Panel Soiling

Solar power generation systems suffer reduced output due to the accumulation of dust and debris (soiling). During dry seasons with little rainfall, dirt accumulates, and cleaning significantly restores power generation. In Thailand, in particular, adhesion of air pollutants (such as PM2.5) is expected. International research institutions have reported that pollutants can form stubborn deposits that are not fully removed by rain alone. In Southeast Asia, where solar power adoption is expanding, cleaning and operational methods adapted to climates with distinct rainy and dry seasons are in high demand.

The company has commercialized an autonomous mobile robot that cleans panels without using water. At a 400-megawatt solar power plant in Dubai, UAE, 61 units have been deployed, achieving over 5,000 hours of operation since delivery in 2020.

Objectives of This Demonstration

The company aims to adapt its dry-cleaning technology, proven in the arid regions of the Middle East, to the climatic conditions of Southeast Asia, which experience rainy and dry seasons. It will verify a service delivery model that goes beyond selling robots, offering continuous cleaning services powered by cloud integration. Results from the demonstration will be announced once finalized.

About MiraiKikai

Founded as a venture from Kagawa University, MiraiKikai's mission is to 'make robots an everyday presence through technology and liberate people from drudgery.' In the field of solar panel cleaning robots, the company achieved the world's first successful development of an autonomous mobile robot that cleans panels without using water.

Company Name: MiraiKikai, Inc. (English: MiraiKikai, Inc.) Headquarters: 584-1 Kamibayashi-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture Representative: President and CEO Toru Miyake Founded: March 24, 2004 Capital: Approximately 800 million yen Business: Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of robotics and mechatronics equipment URL: https://miraikikai.jp

Media Inquiries

MiraiKikai, Inc. Public Relations Contact: Kido, Nishioka Tel: 087-816-5112 Email: [email protected] Web: https://miraikikai.jp/ Inquiries from businesses considering the adoption of solar panel cleaning robots are also welcome.