What RFLocus does

RFLocus (RFルーカス株式会社) is a Tokyo-based, privately held RFID technology company founded in August 2015 that develops a SaaS-based inventory and asset management platform built on patented radio phase analysis technology. The platform's distinguishing feature is the ability to determine the precise position of passive UHF (RAIN RFID) tags in 3D space using continuous time-series radio phase readings (400+ per second), achieving sub-20-degree accuracy without battery-powered sensors and using inexpensive tags priced at 5-10 yen each (approximately 100 yen for metal-compatible tags). Core products include Locus Mapping (a cloud SaaS that visualizes RFID-tagged item locations on digital maps for stocktaking, inbound/outbound, and picking), Locus Fork (forklift-mounted RFID reader for automated patrol scanning), RFID Auto Gate / RFID-GO (walk-through automated reading), RFID Production/Process Management (work-in-process tracking), and the P3 Finder SDK (Android developer toolkit with 2,500+ licenses since October 2017). The underlying IP is protected by patents in Japan, the United States (US10295661, US11009596), Europe (EP3349035), and China.

The company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales to manufacturers, logistics operators, retailers, and warehouses in Japan, supplemented by channel partnerships with Mitsui Fudosan (MFLP &LOGI Solution logistics real estate platform), Yasuda Warehouse (demonstration showroom at Shinonome), Itobunki (office furniture IoT, capital and business alliance from July 2024), ZMP (Carriro robot integration), and technology integrations with Impinj, Zebra, SATO, Bluebird, and DENSO WAVE RFID hardware. Named enterprise customers include East Japan Railway Company (Yokohama branch, with documented 80% inbound/outbound reduction, 90%+ stocktaking reduction, and 60-80% item-search reduction), BEAMS, Toyota Tsusho, Sagawa Global Logistics (inbound productivity 7.8x, outbound 8.9x), Zip Co., Baroque Japan (MOUSSY/SLY), and a major Japanese airline. Revenue is generated through SaaS subscription (Locus Mapping), RFID hardware and tag sales, perpetual/recurring SDK licensing, and implementation services; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company is ISO/IEC 27001 certified and has received multiple recognitions including NEDO R&D Venture Support (2017), Morning Pitch Top 7 (2019), JR East Startup Program (2019), Global Innovation Forum 2020 Japanese representative, Tokyo DX Social Implementation Project (2022), Star Ato Pitch Japan Nomura Securities Award (2023), and Tokyo Contents/Solution Business Award 2023.

Name

RFLocus

Legal name

RFルーカス株式会社

Website

https://rflocus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RFLocus is a Tokyo-based RFID technology company whose patented radio phase analysis powers Locus Mapping, a SaaS platform that locates and visualizes RFID-tagged inventory and assets in real time for Japanese enterprises in retail, logistics, manufacturing, rail, and aviation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

RFID Inventory & Asset Management Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)

akta.pro primary industry

Asset & Space Management Services (CMMS/Asset Tagging/Space Planning/Moves-Adds-Changes) (IMAIAAAL)

Keywords

• RFID inventory management
• Asset tracking systems
• Warehouse automation software
• Phase-based RFID positioning
• RFID-enabled logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SaaS Subscription (Locus Mapping): Locus Mapping is a cloud-based SaaS system combining a smartphone app controlling RFID readers and a web browser interface. Customers pay for ongoing software access and related hardware (readers, tags). The system handles inventory/stocktaking/inbound-outbound/location management as a recurring subscription service.
2. P3 Finder SDK License: Software development kit sold as licenses for custom Android development. Over 2,500 licenses contracted since release in October 2017. Provided as perpetual or recurring developer licenses.
3. RFID Hardware and Tags: Sale of RFID readers, antennas, and tags (at 5-10 yen per passive tag) as part of the overall solution implementation. Tags are passive UHF RFID requiring no battery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RFLocus develops and sells Locus Mapping, a cloud-based SaaS inventory and asset management system that uses UHF (RAIN) RFID and the company's patented radio phase analysis technology to automatically locate tagged items and display their positions on digital maps in real time. The offering combines a smartphone-app + browser interface with compatible RFID readers and passive tags, and extends to Locus Fork (forklift-mounted automated patrol), RFID production/process management, and RFID-GO walk-through gates for retail, manufacturing, logistics, and enterprise asset management customers. The P3 Finder SDK is licensed to Android developers for embedding multi-tag RFID location radar into custom applications.

Product overview

RFルーカス (RFLocus) offers a unified RFID-based inventory and asset management platform built around its patented radio phase analysis technology. The core product is Locus Mapping, a SaaS system that provides real-time item location visibility on digital maps via RFID. Three specialized modules extend the platform: Locus Fork (forklift-mounted reader for automated inventory patrol), RFID Production/Process Management (automated work performance capture), and RFID Auto Gate (walk-through reader for automated receiving/shipping). The P3 Finder SDK enables custom Android applications to embed the company's multi-tag RAIN RFID location radar. Additional smartphone features such as Map Search (released July 2025) and Map Picking (released September 2025) extend the core platform's functionality for retail and warehouse picking workflows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Locus Mapping: RFIDで在庫・物品の位置を自動取得してデジタルマップ上に表示できる在庫・物品管理システム
• Locus Fork
• P3 Finder SDK
• P3 Mapper
• RFID-GO
• Locus Journal

Products and services

• Locus Mapping A SaaS-based inventory and asset management system that uses RFID (RAIN/UHF) and the company's patented radio phase analysis to automatically locate tagged items and display their positions on a digital map, supporting stocktaking, inbound/outbound, location registration, and item search for retail, warehouse, factory, office, and construction environments.
• Locus Fork An inventory management automation service that links Locus Mapping with forklifts by mounting an RFID reader and antenna on the forklift, enabling automated patrol reading and real-time inventory updates displayed on the forklift's in-vehicle terminal during operations in manufacturing and logistics sites.
• RFID Production / Process Management System A production and process management system that uses RFID to automatically capture work performance and progress data by each process and worker in real time, eliminating manual work reports and barcode scanning and enabling production visualization for optimal staffing and training in manufacturing environments.
• RFID Auto Gate (RFID-GO) A walk-through RFID gate that automatically reads tagged items as they pass through — without opening boxes or using a handheld reader — reducing inbound and outbound work time by over 90%; can be deployed without anchor installation and combined with Locus Mapping for further automation gains.
• P3 Finder SDK A software development kit for Android that lets developers embed multi-tag RAIN RFID location radar functionality into custom applications, featuring a 3D graphical display with cross-section and top views showing real-time distance change as the RFID reader moves; licensed to developers globally with 2,500+ licenses contracted since 2017.
• P3 Mapper A high-precision item location identification system that uses RFID-equipped robots with RFLocus's proprietary radio phase analysis to locate items on a map, developed in partnership with DNP and PAL and serving as the technological predecessor to Locus Mapping.
• P3 Finder Demo Application A publicly available Android demo application for the P3 Finder RFID location radar, published on Google Play, that demonstrates real-time multi-tag positioning on 3D radar views using RAIN RFID.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces stocktaking, inbound, and outbound work time by 80%+ compared to manual/barcode operations
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Itobunki Corporation (株式会社イトーキ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024Capital and business partnership for IoT-enabling office furniture. Itobunki embeds RFID tags in office furniture and RFLocus provides phase-analysis location technology to enable asset management applications. Data will be accumulated in Itobunki's 'ITOKI OFFICE A/BI PLATFORM' and used to improve 'Data Trekking' service. Joint application development planned to help streamline office asset management during relocations and renewals.
• Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (帝人フロンティア株式会社)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 December 2023Co-hosted webinar on December 5, 2023 titled 'Teijin x RFLocus: Manufacturing and Logistics Automation with RFID' featuring Teijin Frontier's manufacturing and logistics use cases with RFLocus technology.
• Mitsui Fudosan - MFLP &LOGI SolutioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 April 2023RFLocus participates as a partner company in Mitsui Fudosan's 'MFLP &LOGI Solution' consulting service, which provides integrated logistics solutions combining hardware (properties, equipment), software (Mitsui Fudosan's knowledge, MFLS consulting), and partner network. Locus Mapping is showcased at the MFLP ICT LABO 2.0 showroom.
• SkyDisk Inc. (株式会社スカイディスク)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 December 2022Co-hosted webinar on December 20, 2022 titled 'Overcoming DX Barriers: From Inventory/Process Management to Production Planning' discussing how RFID and IoT data can bridge inventory management, production processes, and production planning.
• NEC Corporation (日本電気株式会社)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 December 2022Co-hosted online seminar on December 13, 2022 titled 'Latest Robotics Adaptable to Warehouse Environment Changes and Next-Generation RFID Utilization' with NEC presenting on autonomous mobile robots and RFLocus presenting on RFID's next-generation applications.
• ZMP Inc. (株式会社ZMP)coreTechnology or Integration · 5 October 2021Technology integration partnership. RFLocus's Locus Mapping was integrated with ZMP's autonomous mobile robots 'Carriro' and 'Carriro Fork' enabling fully automated patrol scanning for inventory management in logistics warehouses and manufacturing sites. Integration enables automated stocktaking without any manual handheld reader use.
• Accenture Japan Ltd. (アクセンチュア株式会社)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2020Co-hosted online seminar on September 15, 2020 titled 'RFID-Enabled Logistics Operation Reform for With/After Corona' with Accenture's Managing Director Kenji Maeda speaking on digital logistics transformation.
• Accenture Japan Ltd. (アクセンチュア株式会社)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2020Co-hosted webinar on September 15, 2020 with Accenture's Managing Director Kenji Maeda discussing post-corona digital logistics transformation and how RFID enables location management in supply chains.
• Technos Japan Co., Ltd. (株式会社テクノスジャパン)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2020Co-hosted online seminar on June 23, 2020 titled 'Inventory Management in the New Normal Era' discussing RFID solutions and their role in post-COVID supply chain efficiency.
• Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (大日本印刷株式会社)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2017Development partnership for P3 Mapper - high-precision item location system combining RFID robots with RFLocus's phase analysis technology. DNP contributed to the development and commercialization of the P3 Mapper system.
• PAL Co., Ltd. (株式会社PAL)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2017Development partnership for P3 Mapper - high-precision item location system combining RFID robots with RFLocus's phase analysis technology. PAL partnered with RFLocus and DNP for the P3 Mapper development.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Impinj: Impinj is a leading provider of RAIN RFID endpoint ICs, readers, and software that power item-level intelligence - directly comparable to RFLocus's RAIN RFID-based inventory and location platform. Both target retail, logistics, and manufacturing for item-level visibility.
• Mojix: Mojix offers a SaaS RFID-based item intelligence platform for retail, manufacturing, and supply chains - the same value proposition as RFLocus's Locus Mapping. Both compete for real-time RFID-driven inventory visibility in apparel and grocery.
• PervasID: PervasID provides passive RFID-based real-time location systems for inventory, assets, and people in retail and healthcare - a direct functional peer to RFLocus's phase-based RAIN RFID location platform.

Broad incumbents

• Avery Dennison: Avery Dennison is the global leader in RFID inlay manufacturing and also offers Intelligent Label solutions with item-level visibility software. Its RFID tag ecosystem enables RFLocus's deployments while its software interests overlap directly with Locus Mapping.
• HID Global: HID Global provides RFID tags, readers, and asset tracking/identification solutions across logistics, healthcare, and industrial markets. Its broad RFID portfolio makes it an alternative incumbent for enterprise asset and inventory tracking.
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra provides enterprise asset tracking and RFID hardware (readers, printers, tags) including the RFD40 and ZD621R models that RFLocus explicitly integrates with. Its broad enterprise mobility portfolio overlaps with RFLocus's RFID location solution at the visibility/Infrastructure layer.
• SATO Corporation: Japanese-headquartered SATO provides RFID printers (e.g., CL4NX-J) and labeling systems, with whom RFLocus integrates for tag issuance. It is a horizontal incumbent in Japan's RFID/AIDC market while RFLocus plays in the higher-layer inventory location software.

Emerging players

• Securitas Healthcare (formerly Stanley Healthcare): Provides RTLS and RFID-based asset tracking solutions for healthcare and enterprise - competing for high-value asset tracking use cases (tools, equipment, mobile assets) where RFLocus's phase-based RFID also plays.

Regional players

• Bluebird: Korea-headquartered mobile/RFID hardware vendor whose HF550X and RFR901 readers are supported by RFLocus. It is a regional peer in the handheld RFID reader segment with overlapping presence in Asia-Pacific enterprise accounts.
• DENSO WAVE: Japan-based manufacturer of handheld RFID readers (BHT-M80, SP1) integrated with RFLocus's Locus Mapping. Operates primarily in Japan as both a partner and a regional alternative in the RFID hardware/AIDC space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rflocus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCllELreSz93BBsJI4LPBlGQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/RFLocus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rflocus-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RFLocus