Guide Robotics

Guide Robotics Inc., founded in December 2020, is a Tokyo-based company that originated as the first international spin-off of SRI International. The company was established by co-founders Manabu Ushiro, who serves as CEO, and Aveek Das, the CTO. Ushiro brings over a decade of business development experience from his time at Rohm Semiconductor and Sojitz across Europe, Asia, and the US. Das contributes over 20 years of research and development expertise in robotics and computer vision, holding a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and previously working at SRI International.

The firm specializes in developing tools to optimize industrial operations within the logistics, construction, and security sectors by utilizing proprietary computer vision and autonomous robotics algorithms. Its core offering is an Indoor Positioning System (IPS) for forklifts and autonomous robots, which is based on Visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology. This system employs edge devices and a cloud-based backend with APIs to provide real-time localization and trajectory visualization for material handling assets with centimeter-level accuracy in environments where GPS is unavailable, such as warehouses. The technology, licensed from SRI International, was developed and field-tested over more than 10 years with funding from the US Government.

Guide Robotics serves logistics companies with large facilities and general contractors involved in the construction of major factories and industrial sites. The business model centers on providing this advanced navigation system, GuideNS™, which aims to improve productivity, enhance safety, and reduce operational costs for its clients. The system's benefits include reducing idle time through efficient route planning, minimizing accidents via advanced measurement and monitoring, and cutting fuel and maintenance expenses through smart analytics. The company has received funding from investors including F.C.C. Co., Ltd., Accord Ventures, and Shizen Capital.

Keywords: indoor positioning system, autonomous robotics, computer vision, logistics optimization, warehouse automation, Visual SLAM, forklift navigation, construction technology, asset tracking, industrial operations, SRI International spin-off, robotics algorithms, edge computing, cloud robotics, material handling, cm-level accuracy, GPS-denied navigation, Manabu Ushiro, Aveek Das, industrial safety