Cuebus

Cuebus Co., Ltd. is a Japanese firm addressing the intensifying challenges of e-commerce logistics and labor shortages through its automated warehouse solutions. The company was established in February 2015 by Katsuhiro Okubo, who serves as the President and CEO. Okubo's journey began as a software engineer; his subsequent experience in providing cloud-based inventory management for the apparel industry exposed him to the growing inefficiencies in logistics. This firsthand observation of the sector's impending crisis, driven by the e-commerce boom, inspired him to devise a fundamentally new approach to warehouse automation.

The company's core offering is the "CUEBUS" system, a distinctive urban-style automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). Diverging from conventional systems that often rely on battery-powered robots, CUEBUS utilizes linear motor technology embedded within floor tiles. This design propels trays carrying goods across a grid-like structure, eliminating the need for aisles and maximizing vertical storage space. A key differentiator is that the moving trays themselves are passive, containing no motors or batteries, which reduces fire risk and maintenance requirements as they operate on a standard 100-volt power supply. This modular, unit-based structure allows for flexible installation and scalability, from small, locker-sized applications to large-scale warehouse deployments, making it accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises that previously could not afford such automation.

Cuebus's business model centers on the development, sale, and installation of the CUEBUS hardware and its associated proprietary software, which includes warehouse management systems and business applications. The company also provides consulting services, such as "CoLogi" for logistics and "CoDesi" for system design. It targets a broad market facing logistics pressures, from e-commerce and retail to manufacturing. Significant milestones include a Series A funding round in August 2022, a Series B in early 2024, and a Series B extension in late 2024 involving major corporations like Toyota Industries Corporation, Mitsubishi Warehouse Group's MLC Ventures, and Toyota Boshoku. These strategic partnerships aim to leverage the investors' extensive sales networks and expertise to accelerate the adoption and expansion of the CUEBUS system.

Keywords: logistics automation, automated storage and retrieval system, ASRS, linear motor technology, warehouse robotics, e-commerce fulfillment, urban logistics, material handling, Katsuhiro Okubo, warehouse automation, inventory management, robotics warehouse, smart warehouse, flexible automation, modular warehouse, supply chain technology, goods-to-person, automated picking, Japanese logistics tech, Toyota Industries partnership, Mitsubishi Warehouse investment, CoLogi, CoDesi, automated logistics