Name

Hakuou Robotics

Legal name

株式会社ハクオウロボティクス

Website

https://hakuou.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automated Forklifts

NAICS

Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Forklifts & Industrial Trucks (IC & Electric) (IMAHABAA)

Keywords

• Automated forklifts
• Logistics automation
• Warehouse robotics
• Autonomous pallet transport
• Material handling robots

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. AutoFork Hardware Sales: Sale of automated forklift vehicles (AutoFork Standard and AutoFork Lite models). One-time purchase of the vehicle body with integrated autonomous driving software.
2. Software Licensing (Standard Model): Monthly license fees for autonomous driving functionality on Standard model (¥120,000/month). Includes software updates and remote support.
3. Remote Operation Option License: Monthly license fee for remote operation functionality (¥10,000/month including SIM communication charges).
4. Support and Maintenance Services: Optional maintenance contracts. Lite model: ¥50,000/month; Standard model includes 24/7 support with included on-site visits. On-site support for Lite is charged separately.
5. Setup and Implementation Services: Initial setup services (¥900,000 from) for site preparation, mapping, route configuration, and commissioning. Optional for Lite model where customers can perform setup independently.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hakuou Robotics designs, manufactures, and sells the AutoFork series, a domestically produced automated walkie-type forklift that uses laser reflector-based self-positioning and depth-camera computer vision to autonomously transport pallets in warehouses and factories. The company offers two hardware models (AutoFork Standard and AutoFork Lite) along with the Parade-H robot application platform for integrating AutoFork with elevators, conveyors, AGVs, and automated warehouses.

Product overview

Hakuou Robotics offers a single-product portfolio centered on the AutoFork series of automated walkie-type forklifts, with a supporting robot app platform. The product line consists of two hardware models (AutoFork Standard and AutoFork Lite) plus optional feature modules and simulation tools. AutoFork Standard is the full-featured version with pallet batch recognition, equipment integration, and 24/7 support. AutoFork Lite is the entry-level version with playback function and user-independent route setup at a lower price point. Both models share the same base vehicle (Mitsubishi Logisnext Coter Lift) and core automation software. The lineup is extended by feature modules: Playback Function, Reflector Pole Map Editor, Remote Operation Option, and Catch & Release Function. Parade-H is the software platform that connects AutoFork with diverse logistics equipment (AGVs, elevators, conveyors, automated warehouses) for large-scale facility automation. Supporting tools include free ROI, Cycle Time, and Route simulators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AutoFork: 仓库内・工場内工程间自动化対応の国産自動フォークリフト。独自開発の自动驾驶ソフトウェアと物体認識技術を組み合わせ、プレイバック機能やパレット一括認識機能などを搭載。
• AutoFork Lite
• Parade-H（パレードエイチ）

Products and services

• AutoFork Standard The full-featured automated walkie-type forklift for enterprise logistics and manufacturing sites. Includes proprietary autonomous driving software, multi-pallet batch recognition, equipment integration, multi-machine coordination, 24/7 hotline support, and on-site visits. Priced at approximately ¥10 million vehicle body with ¥120,000/month software license.
• AutoFork Lite An entry-level automated forklift for small-scale automation and proof-of-concept deployments. Includes playback function and the reflector pole map editor as standard features, with no monthly software license fee. Upgradeable to the Standard model. Designed for SMEs and customers starting automation with a single unit.
• Parade-H Robot Application Platform A robot application platform that serves as the integration hub for AutoFork with diverse logistics equipment including AGVs, elevators, conveyors, and automated warehouses. Enables cross-vendor, cross-equipment coordination for large-scale warehouse automation, including elevator calling, multi-machine coordination, AGV linkage, and an open API for third-party app development.
• Remote Operation Option An add-on product enabling remote operation and monitoring of AutoFork from a dedicated tablet. The tablet mirrors AutoFork's onboard touch panel display over SIM communication. Hardware: dedicated tablet at ¥50,000 (tax excluded); license fee: ¥10,000/month (incl. SIM charges). Enables operation from different floors or remote locations.
• Setup and Implementation Services Initial professional setup services including site preparation, reflector pole installation, mapping, route configuration, and commissioning. Priced from ¥900,000. Available as an optional add-on for Lite customers, and bundled with Standard model deployments.
• Support and Maintenance Services Recurring maintenance and support contracts. Lite model: ¥50,000/month (business hours call center). Standard model: 24/7 hotline support with on-site visits several times per year included with the monthly license fee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Labor savings equivalent to approximately 1 person (including night shifts), approximately ¥7.5 million annual benefit
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Misumi meviy (ミスミ meviy)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2026Misumi's AI platform for mechanical parts procurement featured AutoFork in a special video on their YouTube channel (meviy channel). Video covers AutoFork development background, product features, and actual operation footage. Platform exposure to manufacturing industry audience seeking automation solutions.
• Yamazen TFS Branch (山善TFS支社)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 May 2026Strategic sales agent agreement with Yamazen TFS Branch (specialized trading company, machinery and industrial equipment). Focus on promoting AutoFork to manufacturing and logistics sites in food, consumer electronics, and daily goods sectors. First joint exhibition at FOOMA JAPAN 2026 (June 2-5). Yamazen provides proposal and support structure for customer acquisition.
• Marudai Kiko (マルダイ機工)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 March 2026Sales partner for Sawafuji Electric case study. Marudai Kiko (material handling equipment company) provided on-site coordination and implementation support, bridging between AutoFork capabilities and customer requirements. Facilitated smooth deployment of first automated forklift at customer's site.
• Mitsubishi Logisnext (三菱ロジスネクスト)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 June 2025Vehicle body supply agreement with Mitsubishi Logisnext (part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group) for supply of walkie-type forklift chassis (Coaterlift FBD7 model). Vehicle bodies incorporate high reliability and comprehensive warranty coverage. Full sales partnership began September 1, 2025 through Mitsubishi Logisnext's nationwide dealer network.
• Octa Robotics (株式会社Octa Robotics)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 June 2024Technology partnership for LCI (Logistics Connectivity Interface) robot coordination system. LCI enables AutoFork to communicate with building equipment including elevators, automatic doors, and security systems via cloud service Octa Link using 4G communication. Supports multi-vendor elevator integration (including E-K Elevator, Moritani Transport Industry, Shōwa Transport).
• Japan Logitem (日本ロジテム)supportingOthersCustomer partner for demonstration experiments (Inazawa office, March 2024) and implementation case study (Tokorozawa office, April 2026). Japan Logitem utilized Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism logistics DX subsidy program for elevator coordination implementation.
• Tokyo Logi Factory (東京ロジファクトリー)supportingOthersFirst commercial user of AutoFork. Conducted initial proof-of-concept demonstrations (January 2024) for pallet bulk recognition and 110m automated transport at Kawagoe Center. Elevator coordination tests conducted at Sayama-Hidaka logistics center (June 2024). AutoFork deployed at Kawagoe Logistics Center (November 2024 implementation, January 2025 full operation start).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Doog Inc. Japanese AMR maker with autonomous guided vehicles and mobile robots for factories, warehouses, and healthcare. Similar size and stage as Hakuou, focused on Japan manufacturing/logistics customers; less forklift-specific but addresses adjacent material-handling automation.
• Geek+ (Geekplus Technology): Chinese AMR/forklift company with established Japan operations; offers autonomous forklifts (F-series) and a broad warehouse robotics portfolio targeting the same manufacturing and 3PL customers as Hakuou. Closest like-for-like competitor on product category and target market, with stronger international presence but weaker Japan-specific channel.
• Seegrid: US-based maker of vision-guided autonomous industrial trucks (forklifts, tow tractors, pallet trucks). Directly competes on autonomous forklift technology, addresses manufacturing/warehouse customers, and represents a similar 'software-defined autonomous vehicle' value proposition to Hakuou's AutoFork.
• PLUS Automation: Japanese startup developing autonomous forklifts for warehouse and factory logistics; targets the same customer pain points (forklift operator shortage, 24-hour operation) as Hakuou. Closest Japan-based direct peer in product category, customer segment, and go-to-market.
• Balyo: French autonomous forklift specialist that retrofits standard trucks (often through OEM partnerships with Linde/Hyster) with SLAM-based navigation. Directly comparable product offering to AutoFork, with a focus on converting existing forklift fleets into autonomous vehicles — a similar 'easy-deployment' pitch.
• Mujin: Japanese intelligent warehouse robotics company (with US operations) using motion-planning AI to integrate robots (including forklifts) with WMS/WES for warehouse automation. Addresses the same end customers as Hakuou and overlaps on the integration-and-orchestration layer via Parade-H-like capabilities.
• Agilox: Austrian maker of autonomous industrial vehicles (AGVs/AMRs, including autonomous forklifts) for warehouse and manufacturing logistics. Directly competes with Hakuou on autonomous forklift/AMR technology and target customer verticals, with a SLAM-based architecture rather than reflector-based.

Broad incumbents

• Mitsubishi Logisnext: Major Japanese forklift OEM (part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group) that is simultaneously Hakuou's chassis supplier and primary distribution partner. Offers a much broader forklift and material-handling portfolio, including its own automation efforts, making it both an essential partner and a long-term competitive threat.
• Toyota Industries (Toyota Material Handling): World's largest forklift manufacturer through its Toyota Material Handling Group; sells automated and autonomous forklift variants and has global dealer/service reach. Comparable to Hakuou on product form factor and end customer (logistics/manufacturing), but with vastly larger scale, global footprint, and service infrastructure.
• OMRON: Global industrial automation giant with an MD-series autonomous mobile robot/forklift product line and broad factory automation portfolio. Larger, incumbent competitor that can bundle automated forklifts with its wider controls, sensors, and robotics offerings against Hakuou's standalone AutoFork.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HakuouRobotics
• Xx.com/HakuouRobotics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Hakuou Robotics