Marubun Begins Handling Multi-Functional Service Robot to Address Labor Shortages in Healthcare and Industry

Marubun Corporation (President and CEO: Hiroshi Horikoshi; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "Marubun"), an electronics trading company, has announced that it has signed a sales agency agreement with RoboPath Inc. (President: Yasutaka Hiraki; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "RoboPath"), a provider of cutting-edge service robots combining AI technology and robotics. Marubun has begun handling RoboPath's main product, the multi-functional service robot "RPX (Core Robot: RPX-100)" (hereinafter "RPX-100").

[Background and Purpose of the Agreement]

Currently, severe labor shortages are an urgent social issue in medical institutions and the manufacturing/logistics industries. Due to the overwork of healthcare workers and chronic labor shortages in factories and warehouses, on-site staff are often unable to concentrate on core tasks such as patient care, productivity improvement, and quality control, making workload reduction an urgent priority.

To automate routine tasks such as transportation and cleaning, which place a heavy burden on workers in these environments, Marubun has entered into a sales agency agreement with RoboPath, which possesses excellent autonomous driving technology and extensive experience in elevator integration. Through this agreement, Marubun will leverage its broad network and proposal capabilities as an electronics trading company to provide robot solutions that support the smartification of medical and industrial sites.

[Main Features of the Multi-Functional Service Robot RPX-100]

The RPX-100 is a multi-functional service robot that combines advanced autonomous driving technology adaptable to harsh medical and industrial environments with excellent flexibility.

Unit Swapping System for Multi-Functionality with a Single Unit

Top units can be docked to the RPX-100 according to the application.

By combining with top units, a single robot enables flexible operation tailored to site needs and cost reduction.

<For Medical Institutions> In-hospital transportation of specimens, medications, linens, etc., and cleaning of common areas

<For Factories/Warehouses> Transportation of parts and materials

Inexpensive and Easy Elevator (EV) Integration

Integration with elevators regardless of manufacturer or model year, achieved through proprietary modules and cloud-linked technology.

The robot can autonomously move between multiple floors, enabling full automation of operations in hospital wards and large-scale factories/warehouses.

High-Precision Sensors and Industrial-Grade Safety Design

Equipped with high-precision LiDAR and multi-sensors, it accurately detects and avoids obstacles even in environments with mirrors, transparent obstacles, or heavy foot traffic.

A robust design that withstands harsh environments such as factories and warehouses with slopes, steps, and ditches ensures stable operation.

Information on the RPX-100 is also available on Marubun's website.

[Future Outlook]

Through RoboPath's products, Marubun will contribute to accelerating task shifting for medical professionals in hospitals and to automating and labor-saving transportation operations in factories and warehouses. The company will continue to support the resolution of on-site challenges and productivity improvement for its customers through solution proposals utilizing cutting-edge technology.