Closer Robotics Launches New RoboCup Team “INPUT powered by Closer”
Tsukuba, Ibaraki – Closer Robotics (President: Shota Higuchi, Headquarters: Tsukuba, Ibaraki), officially announces the launch of a new RoboCup Small Size League (SSL) team under the name “INPUT powered by Closer.” Originally formed as a student-led team, RoboCup team “INPUT” (Team Leader: Masataka Yasuhara) will now leverage the support and assets of Closer Robotics to become a world-leading RoboCup team and contribute to the growth of the RoboCup and engineering communities.
Background of the New Team Structure
RoboCup SSL team INPUT was originally formed in 2018 by members from the robotics team at Nagaoka National College of Technology, who had achieved outstanding results such as winning the RoboCup Junior Soccer World Championship.
Masataka Yasuhara (Team Leader, INPUT) and Shota Higuchi (President, Closer) have been friends since junior high school. They formed a RoboCup Junior League team during that time, later enrolling in Nagaoka College of Technology and eventually winning the 2017 RoboCup Junior World Championship.
With aspirations to achieve another world championship title, they formed a Major League RoboCup team. Until 2023, the team was supported by local manufacturing companies in Nagaoka City as a project of the NPO Nagaoka Industrial Revitalization Association (NAZE). However, the project ended as many members graduated from graduate school.
Now, with support from Closer Robotics—founded by team member Shota Higuchi—the team has restructured under the new banner “INPUT powered by Closer” and continues to pursue RoboCup excellence.
Features of the New Structure
1. Sustainable Development and Participation Framework
Under the new structure, INPUT powered by Closer will establish a long-term framework for development and competition. With Closer Robotics providing stable support, continuous robot development will be ensured.
2. Becoming a World-Class RoboCup Team from Japan
The team aims to become a globally recognized presence in the RoboCup scene, promoting Japanese robotics technology worldwide through consistent participation.
3. Open Community Collaboration
Looking ahead, the team plans to host joint practice sessions with other teams, with the goal of revitalizing the RoboCup and broader engineering community.
Comments
Masataka Yasuhara, Team Leader, INPUT powered by Closer
“This project began during our student years, and as our life stages changed, continuing our activities became more difficult—an issue many volunteer robotics teams face. With the launch of INPUT powered by Closer, we now have a more sustainable structure and greater possibilities. Through long-term participation in RoboCup, we hope to contribute to the development of both the RoboCup and the robotics community.”
Shota Higuchi, CEO, Closer Inc.
“I’m very happy to continue participating in RoboCup, which I’ve been involved with since elementary school. In research and development, innovation often comes from having the right environment and resources. I’m committed to creating such an environment to support continuous robotics development and community engagement.”
INPUT powered by Closer
- Website: https://input-ssl.dev/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/inputssl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inputssl
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@input8121
About Closer Inc.
Closer Inc. is a robotics company originating from the University of Tsukuba. It provides small collaborative palletizing robots like “Palletizy” and small-bag handling robots like “PickPacker” to help automate heavy and repetitive tasks in industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals—where automation is still limited. Their mission is to drive factory automation in small- to medium-sized manufacturing facilities.
Company Information
- Company Name: Closer Inc.
- CEO: Shota Higuchi
- Founded: November 29, 2021
- Headquarters: 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki
Sangaku Liaison Joint Research Center Room 202 - Website: https://close-r.com
- Contact: info@close-r.com
