Telexistence
Telexistence is a Tokyo-based robotics company that develops AI-enabled, remote-controlled robots — primarily the TX SCARA and TX Ghost — to automate beverage restocking and shelf stocking for major convenience-store chains such as FamilyMart, Lawson, and Seven-Eleven Japan, via a Robot-as-a-Service subscription model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Telexistence does
Telexistence Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered robotics company founded in 2017 that designs, manufactures, and operates AI-enabled robots for the retail and logistics industries, with a primary focus on automating labor-intensive tasks in convenience-store backrooms. The company's product portfolio centers on the TX SCARA robot — a SCARA arm equipped with the proprietary Gordon AI system running on NVIDIA Jetson edge hardware, performing automated beverage restocking at up to 1,000 bottles and cans per day — and the TX Ghost shelf-stocking robot, both complemented by a specialized Andrea-Yamaura end-effector. Underlying all deployments is a hybrid architecture that combines autonomous AI control with ultra-low-latency (50ms) teleoperation by remote human operators via the cloud-hosted Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP), which also incorporates TX Work Analytics for in-store task visualization.
The company generates revenue through a Robot-as-a-Service subscription model on deployed robots (monthly billing), direct hardware sales, and managed services through the Augmented Workforce Platform. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting Japan's three largest convenience-store chains — FamilyMart (300-store mass deployment), Lawson (pilot), and Seven-Eleven Japan (TX Ghost pilot plus co-development of the Astra humanoid) — alongside logistics customers such as Nichirei Logistics and SENKO. Distribution extends to China via a strategic alliance with LeaguerX.
Telexistence has raised approximately $230M+ across seed, Series A, Series A2, and Series B rounds, with the $170M Series B in July 2023 backed by SoftBank Group, Foxconn, and Globis Capital among others. The leadership team is anchored by founder/CEO Jin Tomioka and Co-Founder/Chairman Susumu Tachi (originator of the telexistence concept), supported by advisors including Takeo Kanade (Carnegie Mellon) and Yutaka Matsuo (University of Tokyo). The company holds the Telexistence trademark and positions itself as addressing Japan's acute retail labor shortage through 24/7 automated operation.
Telexistence firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Telexistence
- Legal name
- TELEXISTENCE Inc.
- Website
- https://tx-inc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Telexistence is a Tokyo-based robotics company that develops AI-enabled, remote-controlled robots — primarily the TX SCARA and TX Ghost — to automate beverage restocking and shelf stocking for major convenience-store chains such as FamilyMart, Lawson, and Seven-Eleven Japan, via a Robot-as-a-Service subscription model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Telexistence industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Robotics Automation
- NAICS
- Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (3333)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Robots (Articulated, SCARA, Delta, Cartesian) (IMAHAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Service & Hospitality Robots (HDAAAIAB), Humanoid & General-Purpose Robots (HDAAAIAJ), Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL)
Keywords
Where Telexistence is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Telexistence business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS): Subscription-based model where retailers pay for robotic automation services. Robots deployed in stores perform automated restocking tasks 24/7, with AI handling most operations and human teleoperation for exceptions. Creates recurring subscription revenue from convenience store chains.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of proprietary robots including TX SCARA, TX Ghost, and Model-T to retail and logistics customers. Mass production and deployment to hundreds of stores generates significant upfront hardware revenue.
- Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP): Platform enabling workers to provide labor remotely through robots. Connects remote operators with deployed robots for teleoperation, creating workforce-as-a-service opportunity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Robot-as-a-Service subscription model for convenience stores |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Telexistence product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Telexistence designs, manufactures, and operates AI-powered and remotely controlled robots for retail and logistics customers. Its flagship products are the TX SCARA beverage-restocking robot deployed in 300 FamilyMart stores and the TX Ghost shelf-stocking robot piloted at 7-Eleven Tokyo, complemented by the Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP) that connects remote human operators to deployed robot fleets via ultra-low-latency teleoperation and cloud-based AI control.
Product overview
Telexistence is a robotics company that develops remote-controlled robots with artificial intelligence for retail and logistics industries. Their product portfolio centers on three robot lines: TX SCARA (SCARA robot arm for beverage restocking), TX Ghost (shelf-stocking robot), and Astra (humanoid robot in development with Seven-Eleven Japan). The core technology is Gordon, a proprietary AI system enabling autonomous operation with human teleoperation fallback. The Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP) serves as the overarching platform connecting all robots, enabling remote workers to operate through robot avatars. Additional offerings include TX Work Analytics for workflow optimization and a Robotic Motion Dataset Generation Service launching in 2026. The company operates primarily in Japan with partnerships with FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and major logistics providers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Model-T: Semi-autonomous remote-controlled robot designed for retail shelf stocking. Discontinued but pioneering technology.
- TX SCARA
- TX Ghost
- Gordon
- Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP)
Products and services
- TX SCARA AI-powered SCARA robot for automated beverage restocking in convenience store refrigerated shelves; replenishes up to 1,000 bottles and cans per day per unit, 24/7, and is designed for non-disruptive installation in existing store environments. Targeted at convenience store chains seeking to automate repetitive backroom labor.
- TX Ghost Proprietary shelf-stocking robot combining AI automation with remote teleoperation for handling unexpected situations such as fallen beverages or misplaced items. Deployed at select 7-Eleven Tokyo stores for automated beverage shelf-stocking operations.
- Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP) Cloud-based platform that connects deployed robots with remote human operators, enabling workers to provide labor through robot avatars from any location with internet access. Combines AI automation with teleoperation and supports data management and control across multiple stores. Applied in retail and logistics sectors.
- Logistics Robot System Integrated robot system for logistics facilities consisting of a collaborative robot arm, autonomous guided vehicle (AGV), end-effector, and remote-control system. Designed for mixed loading onto basket carts in refrigerated environments and depalletizing operations. Targeted at third-party logistics providers and warehouse operators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 1,000 beverage bottles/cans replenished per day per TX SCARA robot
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Telexistence
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Telexistence technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability10 records
Feature7 records
Telexistence partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Seven-Eleven JapancorePartnership to jointly develop and introduce humanoid robots powered by generative AI. Creating 'Astra' humanoid robot equipped with Vision-Language-Action (VLA) foundation model for deployment in Seven-Eleven stores targeted for first half of 2026.
- Physical IntelligencecorePartnership to develop robotic foundation models for automating drink-restocking operations. Leverages Physical Intelligence's π0 model proving scaling laws apply to robot motion generation. Yields zero-shot motion generation handling unexpected situations.
- FamilyMartcoreMass deployment partnership for TX SCARA robots in 300 FamilyMart convenience stores across Japan. FamilyMart is Japan's second-largest convenience store chain. Robots perform automated beverage restocking 24/7, creating time surplus reallocated to customer service.
- NVIDIAcoreTechnology partnership for GPU-accelerated AI. NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform powers TX SCARA's eye and brain functions. NVIDIA Inception Program partner since 2017. Partnership enables advanced computer vision and AI processing capabilities.
- Microsoft AzurecoreCloud platform partnership for robot-as-a-service infrastructure. Microsoft Azure supports Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP) cloud system enabling remote control and data management for deployed robots.
- Nichirei LogisticsminorProof of concept partnership for TX robot deployment in refrigerated logistics facilities. Demonstration conducted at Higashi-Ogishima Distribution Center. Focus on mixed loading onto basket carts in cold storage environments.
- SENKOminorProof of concept partnership for TX robot deployment in logistics facilities for major retailer networks. Scheduled demonstration at SENKO logistics facility in fall 2022 for depalletizing operations.
- LawsoncorePartnership for Model-T robot deployment at Lawson Model-T Tokyo Port City Takeshiba store for merchandise stocking operations. Joint pilot to validate remote-controlled robot technology in retail environment.
- LeaguerXminorStrategic alliance for business development in China. LeaguerX provides business registration support, office opening assistance, staffing support, customer introductions, investor introductions, and government relations coordination.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Telexistence competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Simbe Robotics: Simbe builds the Tally retail robot for shelf auditing and inventory in grocery and c-store chains. Like Telexistence, it deploys autonomous robots inside retail stores with major enterprise customers (e.g., Schnucks, Carrefour) and operates on a robotics-as-a-service commercial model.
- Brain Corp: Brain Corp provides the autonomy software platform behind autonomous floor scrubbers and other in-store retail robots deployed at scale with chains like Walmart. It is a direct peer in retail-focused commercial robotics with similar OEM- and RaaS-driven business models.
- Locus Robotics: Locus Robotics provides autonomous warehouse picking robots deployed at major 3PLs and retailers globally via a RaaS model. It is a direct peer to Telexistence's logistics robot deployments with Nichirei Logistics and SENKO in Japan.
- Berkshire Grey: Berkshire Grey provides AI-enabled robotic picking, sorting, and mobility systems for retail and logistics supply chains. It overlaps with Telexistence's logistics robot proof-of-concept work in grocery/cold-chain distribution centers.
Regional players
- Mujin: Tokyo-based Mujin is a leading Japanese industrial robotics intelligence platform for warehouse and logistics automation. It targets the same Japan logistics customers (e.g., cold-chain, distribution) that Telexistence is expanding into via Nichirei Logistics and SENKO.
- Preferred Networks: Tokyo-based Preferred Networks applies deep learning to industrial robotics, including autonomous transportation and factory automation. It is a Japan-region peer in AI-driven industrial robotics with overlapping customer types in logistics and manufacturing.
Broad incumbents
- SoftBank Robotics: SoftBank Robotics (Pepper, Whiz) is the broad incumbent in Japanese service robotics and a Telexistence investor. It overlaps with Telexistence in retail/customer-facing robot applications and represents both a partner and competitive threat.
Emerging players
- Figure AI: Figure AI develops general-purpose humanoid robots aimed at commercial labor tasks including retail and logistics. It directly competes with Telexistence's Astra humanoid program for the same enterprise retail/logistics use cases and customer mindshare.
- Agility Robotics: Agility Robotics builds the Digit humanoid robot targeting warehouse and logistics operations. It competes with Telexistence's logistics robot system and the future Astra humanoid for similar customer use cases and pilot deployments.
- 1X Technologies: 1X Technologies (backed by OpenAI) develops the NEO humanoid robot for consumer and light commercial use. It overlaps with Telexistence's Astra humanoid ambitions and competes for foundation-model-driven retail humanoid deployments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Telexistence social profiles
Digital presenceTelexistence financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Telexistence leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Telexistence funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors18 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Telexistence M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Telexistence
What does Telexistence do?
Telexistence designs, manufactures, and operates AI-powered and remotely controlled robots for retail and logistics customers. Its flagship products are the TX SCARA beverage-restocking robot deployed in 300 FamilyMart stores and the TX Ghost shelf-stocking robot piloted at 7-Eleven Tokyo, complemented by the Augmented Workforce Platform (AWP) that connects remote human operators to deployed robot fleets via ultra-low-latency teleoperation and cloud-based AI control.
Is Telexistence a public or private company?
Telexistence is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Telexistence founded?
Telexistence was founded in 2017. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Telexistence based?
Telexistence is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Telexistence make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales and augmented Workforce Platform (AWP).
Who are Telexistence's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Simbe Robotics, Brain Corp, Locus Robotics and Berkshire Grey. Regional players are Mujin and Preferred Networks. SoftBank Robotics is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Figure AI, Agility Robotics and 1X Technologies.
Does Telexistence have an API?
No public API is recorded for Telexistence.
What industry is Telexistence in?
Telexistence's product category is Retail Robotics Automation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAA, Industrial Robots (Articulated, SCARA, Delta, Cartesian), with a secondary code of HDAAAIAB, Service & Hospitality Robots. Its NAICS code is 3333 and its SIC code is 3560.