Shota Higuchi, CEO of Closer, spoke at the event "Haneda Meetup Day 2021: Robotics × Manufacturing at HANEDA INNOVATION CITY."

Event Page: https://hicity-event-202107.peatix.com/

Event Name: Haneda Meetup Day 2021: Robotics × Manufacturing at HANEDA INNOVATION CITY

Event Overview: HANEDA INNOVATION CITY, which opened in July 2020, is a hub located adjacent to Haneda Airport, a point of connection for both domestic and international networks, and in Ota Ward, an area known for its concentration of manufacturing companies. With a focus on the fusion of "advanced industries" and "cultural industries," it emphasizes themes related to future living such as "advanced mobility," "healthcare," and "robotics." "Haneda Meetup Day" leverages the unique characteristics of HANEDA INNOVATION CITY to create opportunities for valuable encounters. This event, titled "Robotics × Manufacturing at HANEDA INNOVATION CITY," invites venture companies from the robotics field to present their technologies, challenges, visions for the future, and needs for business partners.

Details:

• Date: July 29, 2021 (Thursday)
• Time: 15:00 - 17:00
• Venue: Haneda Innovation City (Zone K, 2nd Floor HANEDA×PiO Exchange Space) (1-1-4 Haneda Airport, Ota Ward, Tokyo, directly connected to Keikyu Airport Line and Tokyo Monorail "Tenkubashi Station")
• Capacity: 50 people
• Participation Fee: Free

Schedule:

• 14:30 - Doors Open
• 15:00 - Event Introduction
• 15:03 - Introduction to Haneda Innovation City Facilities
• 15:10 - Part 1: Business Presentations & Product Introductions
• 15:40 - Part 2: Talk Session
• 16:30 - Networking (Business Card Exchange)
• 17:00 - Conclusion

Featured Companies (in alphabetical order):

• And Robotics Co., Ltd. Executive Officer Ryunosuke Tanaka
  • Company Overview: Established in 2008, And Robotics aims to spread happiness worldwide through collaborative robots. They offer technologies in robotics, security, and fintech, as well as core businesses in human resource development and collaboration with the Tohoku region, through 11 group companies.
• Closer CEO Shota Higuchi
  • Company Overview: Founded in 2020, Closer is dedicated to developing robot systems and services that replace simple tasks in factory lines, aiming to enable people to focus more on creative activities and communication. They are also involved in pilot projects for robot cafes.
  • Background: Born in 1997, Shota Higuchi graduated from Nagaoka Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Tsukuba. He began developing robots in elementary school, winning the RoboCup World Championship and RoboCup Asia-Pacific Championship in 2017. He is a 3rd-year student of the Masayoshi Son Foundation and has received multiple awards, including the Chairman's Special Award from the National Institute of Technology and the James Dyson Award.
• Piezo Sonic Co., Ltd. CEO Kohei Tada
  • Company Overview: Founded in 2017, Piezo Sonic is located in Ota Ward, Tokyo. The company focuses on creating "robots that collaborate with people and support daily life," developing ultrasonic motors for medical devices and robots, autonomous mobile robots, and IoT devices. Their ultrasonic motors are known for high precision and torque, receiving high evaluations in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
  • Background: Kohei Tada graduated from the Graduate School of Science and Engineering at Chuo University and worked on motor development for space exploration in collaboration with JAXA. After ten years at a motor manufacturer, he established Piezo Sonic in 2017 to develop mobile robots and IoT devices.
• WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd. CEO Shinya Suda
  • Company Overview: Based in Kitayama, Kyoto, WorldLink & Company opened Japan’s first physical drone specialty store in 2015. The company’s mission is to "properly connect drones and society," offering solutions such as drone sales under the brand "SkyLink Japan," aerial photography, infrastructure inspection, surveying, maintenance services, and pilot training.
  • Background: Born in 1979 in Kyoto, Shinya Suda studied abroad in the U.S. after high school and founded a business there. After returning to Japan, he worked in logistics and established WorldLink & Company in 2014.

Organizer: HANEDA INNOVATION CITY Advanced Industry Creation Committee