Ground
GROUND Inc. is a Tokyo-based logistics technology company founded in 2015 that develops warehouse automation combining autonomous mobile robots (PEER 100) and an AI-powered warehouse execution system (GWES), serving enterprise 3PL operators, e-commerce retailers, and manufacturers in Japan.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersKoto, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Ground does
GROUND Inc. (GROUND株式会社) is a Tokyo-based logistics technology company founded in April 2015 that builds warehouse automation systems combining autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), AI-driven warehouse execution software, and mathematical optimization for the Japanese logistics and e-commerce market. Its core offerings are PEER 100 — an autonomous mobile robot with a 100kg payload using SLAM (camera + LiDAR) navigation for bin-to-person picking — and GWES (GROUND Warehouse Execution System), a logistics OS platform with 12 modules across infrastructure, visualization, and optimization layers that integrates with customer WMS, WCS, ERP, and multi-vendor robot fleets. Underlying capabilities include patented DyAS inventory placement optimization, Mixed Integer Programming/Constraint Programming for resource allocation, XGBoost/LightGBM-based predictive analytics, and LLM-assisted operational reporting.
The company makes money through three channels: (1) sale or Robot-as-a-Service rental of PEER 100 hardware, (2) subscription-based GWES software licensing priced per site or transaction volume, and (3) system integration and professional services including the GPIM-based consulting framework. GROUND targets large enterprise customers in Japan — primarily 3PL operators, e-commerce retailers, automotive parts distributors (e.g., Autobacs Seven), and logistics divisions of large manufacturers (e.g., Nippon Express, NTT Logisco, Trusco Nakayama) — through direct enterprise field sales supported by the playGROUND R&D and demonstration facility in Chiba. Strategic capital partnerships with Daiwa House Industry, Okamura Corporation, Trusco Nakayama, INCJ, Sony Innovation Fund, JA Mitsui Leasing, and IMM Investment (Korea) have funded the business through roughly JPY 3.21 billion (~$30M+) in equity and capital partnerships since 2016. By 2025–2026 GWES has been deployed at over 100 warehouse sites across Japan.
Ground firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ground
- Legal name
- GROUND株式会社
- Website
- https://groundinc.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GROUND Inc. is a Tokyo-based logistics technology company founded in 2015 that develops warehouse automation combining autonomous mobile robots (PEER 100) and an AI-powered warehouse execution system (GWES), serving enterprise 3PL operators, e-commerce retailers, and manufacturers in Japan.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ground industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Warehouse Automation Software and Robotics
- NAICS
- Warehousing and Storage (493), General Warehousing and Storage (493110)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Supply Chain & Warehouse Automation (Smart Logistics) (IMAIAMAJ), Automated / Robotics-Enabled Fulfillment Centers (AS/RS, AMRs, Goods-to-Person) (TLALADAL), Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls) (IMAHAHAN)
Keywords
Where Ground is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Koto
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ground business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Robot Hardware Sales: Sale of PEER 100 autonomous mobile robots to warehouse operators. PEER robots are sold as capital equipment for warehouse automation deployments.
- GWES Software Subscription: Subscription-based software licensing for the proprietary GWES warehouse execution system. Deployed at over 100 sites across Japan, providing recurring SaaS revenue.
- System Integration and Professional Services: Consulting and implementation services for warehouse automation deployments, including site assessment, system design, installation, and ongoing operational support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Robot as a Service (RaaS) model for PEER 100 |
| Subscription | Annual | GWES Software Subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Ground product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GROUND develops and sells AI- and robotics-based warehouse automation solutions for large enterprise customers in Japan. Its core offerings include GWES, a proprietary warehouse execution and management software platform integrating robot fleet management, labor management, and facility operations; PEER 100, an autonomous mobile robot using SLAM navigation for bin-to-person picking; and supporting consulting, engineering, and digital integration services. The company targets 3PL operators, e-commerce retailers, and large manufacturers seeking to automate distribution centers amid Japan's labor shortage.
Product overview
GROUND offers a comprehensive logistics technology portfolio centered on GWES, a logistics OS platform with 12 modules across 3 layers. GWES provides integrated facility management and optimization, connecting with WMS, ERP, and material handling equipment. The portfolio includes PEER 100, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) for collaborative picking with SLAM navigation, Digital Integration services for system integration and algorithm development, and Consulting & Engineering services based on the GPIM methodology. The solutions enable phased implementation from visualization to optimization to autonomous operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GWES: GROUND Warehouse Execution System - logistics OS for facility-wide management, optimization and autonomous operations
- PEER
- DyAS
- GPIM
- playGROUND
Products and services
- GWES (GROUND Warehouse Execution System) A SaaS-style logistics execution software platform that manages and optimizes entire warehouse facility operations. GWES provides integrated management across 12 modules in 3 layers—infrastructure, visualization/analysis, and optimization—for facility-wide visibility, AI-powered decision making, and autonomous operations. Connects with WMS, ERP, and material handling equipment via a Data Connector module.
- PEER 100 An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) for collaborative bin-to-person picking operations in warehouses. Uses SLAM-based autonomous navigation with camera and LiDAR sensors to operate in shared human-robot warehouse environments, carries up to 100kg payload, and operates 8-10 hours per charge. Available under a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) usage-based pricing model.
- Digital Integration System integration and algorithm development services that refresh logistics IT platforms using AI and mathematical optimization. Combines system integration with custom algorithm development for logistics-specific optimization challenges, including integration with WMS, ERP, WCS, and Robot Control Systems.
- Consulting & Engineering Service Consulting and engineering services based on the GPIM (GROUND Process Improvement Methodology) framework, supporting logistics strategy, facility design, process standardization, and data/system implementation for customers pursuing phased logistics digital transformation from visualization through optimization to autonomous operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Picking productivity improvement of approximately 2.3x compared to conventional manual picking operations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ground
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ground technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Ground partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Okamura Corporation (岡村製作所)coreCapital business partnership with Okamura Corporation, a leading Japanese office furniture and equipment manufacturer. Okamura has expanded into logistics equipment and systems, positioning this partnership as a strategic fit for warehouse automation integration.
- Frameworks Inc. (フレームワークス)coreCapital business partnership with Frameworks Inc., a Japanese company involved in logistics and supply chain solutions. Strategic partnership to advance warehouse automation technology and market deployment.
- Trusco Nakayama Corporation (トラスコ中山)majorCustomer and implementation partner relationship with Trusco Nakayama, a major Japanese tool and equipment trading company. Trusco Nakayama operates large distribution centers and serves as both a customer using GROUND's solutions and a channel partner in the logistics equipment ecosystem.
- Hitachi Transport System (日立物流)majorPartnership with Hitachi Transport System for the development and operation of EC platform fulfillment centers. Hitachi Transport System operates large-scale logistics operations, and the partnership enables deployment of GROUND's warehouse automation solutions in e-commerce fulfillment environments.
- Nihon Unisys Ltd. (日本ユニシス)majorTechnology integration partnership for GWES (GROUND Warehouse Execution System). Nihon Unisys provides system integration expertise for deploying GWES at enterprise customer sites, leveraging their established relationships with major Japanese corporations.
- Standard Robots Co., Ltd.supportingTechnology partner for AMR hardware integration. Standard Robots provides autonomous mobile robot technology that is compatible with and complementary to GROUND's PEER 100 product line and GWES software platform.
- Soft Robotics Inc.supportingTechnology partnership for robotic gripping and manipulation technology. Soft Robotics provides soft robotic gripper technology that complements GROUND's warehouse automation solutions for handling diverse product types.
- WHA Corporation (Thailand)supportingStrategic partnership with WHA Corporation, a major industrial estate and logistics infrastructure developer in Thailand. Partnership aimed at expanding GROUND's warehouse automation solutions into the Southeast Asian market.
- HIT Robot Group Co., Ltd. (China)supportingTechnology partnership with HIT Robot Group, a Chinese robotics company. Partnership enables technology exchange and potential integration of Chinese AMR technology into GROUND's product ecosystem for the Asian market.
- Mahindra Ecole Centrale University (India)supportingAcademic partnership with Mahindra Ecole Centrale University in India for joint research on robot manipulation technology, including FPGA-based acceleration research for logistics applications.
- Wiz Inc. (Japan)supportingStrategic partnership with Wiz Inc. (Japan) for cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure collaboration related to GWES platform deployment and enterprise data security.
- WILTECH Co., Ltd. (ウイルテック)supportingPartnership with WILTECH for system integration and consulting services supporting GWES deployment at customer sites.
- BIPROGY Inc. (ビプロジー)supportingPartnership with BIPROGY Inc. (formerly Nihon Unisys' related entity) for system integration and consulting services supporting enterprise deployments of GROUND's warehouse automation solutions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ground competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AutoStore: Norwegian warehouse automation company specializing in cube storage AS/RS and robotic picking, serving similar e-commerce and 3PL customers globally. Direct competitor to GROUND's PEER 100 and GWES offerings in the warehouse robotics space.
- Symbotic: US-based warehouse robotics and automation platform combining mobile robots with AI-driven warehouse execution software. Directly comparable to GROUND's integrated AMR-plus-software stack, targeting large enterprise retailers and 3PLs.
- Geek+: Chinese global AMR provider offering goods-to-person picking, sorting, and moving robots with fleet management software. Competes head-to-head with PEER 100 in Asia-Pacific logistics markets.
- Locus Robotics: US AMR vendor focused on collaborative picking robots for warehouse fulfillment, similar in product positioning to GROUND's PEER 100 with strong enterprise 3PL and retail customer base.
- GreyOrange: India-based warehouse robotics company whose Butler robots were originally distributed by GROUND in Japan. Closely comparable product portfolio (AMR + fulfillment platform) and target customer segments in 3PL/retail.
- Fetch Robotics (Zebra Technologies): Acquired by Zebra Technologies, Fetch offers AMRs for warehouse picking and material handling. Comparable AMR technology and target market to GROUND's PEER 100 product line.
Broad incumbents
- Daifuku: Japan-headquartered global leader in material handling systems including conveyor, sortation, AS/RS, and intralogistics automation. A dominant broad incumbent in the same warehouse automation space GROUND serves domestically.
- Murata Machinery: Japanese industrial conglomerate offering AS/RS, conveyor systems, and automated warehouse solutions. Overlaps with GROUND's warehouse automation market through established enterprise relationships in Japan.
- Swisslog (KUKA): Global provider of automated warehouse and distribution center solutions, including AS/RS, conveyance, and robotic picking. Broad incumbent competitor serving many of the same enterprise 3PL and retail customers as GROUND.
- Manhattan Associates: US-based supply chain and warehouse management software vendor with warehouse execution system capabilities. Closest software-only peer to GROUND's GWES offering, competing for the same enterprise logistics IT budgets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ground social profiles
Digital presenceGround compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Ground financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ground leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ground funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ground 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 Ground
What does Ground do?
GROUND develops and sells AI- and robotics-based warehouse automation solutions for large enterprise customers in Japan. Its core offerings include GWES, a proprietary warehouse execution and management software platform integrating robot fleet management, labor management, and facility operations; PEER 100, an autonomous mobile robot using SLAM navigation for bin-to-person picking; and supporting consulting, engineering, and digital integration services. The company targets 3PL operators, e-commerce retailers, and large manufacturers seeking to automate distribution centers amid Japan's labor shortage.
Is Ground a public or private company?
Ground is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Ground founded?
Ground was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ground based?
Ground is headquartered in Koto, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Ground make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Robot Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are GWES Software Subscription and system Integration and Professional Services.
Who are Ground's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AutoStore, Symbotic, Geek+, Locus Robotics, GreyOrange and Fetch Robotics (Zebra Technologies). Broad incumbents are Daifuku, Murata Machinery, Swisslog (KUKA) and Manhattan Associates.
Does Ground have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ground.
What industry is Ground in?
Ground's product category is Warehouse Automation Software and Robotics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAIAA, Industrial & Warehouse Robotics, with a secondary code of IMAIAMAJ, Supply Chain & Warehouse Automation (Smart Logistics). Its NAICS code is 493 and its SIC code is 3560.