Cartken and Melco Mobility Solutions expand partnership to deploy 100 autonomous robots in Japan’s industrial sector
Cartken, the autonomous delivery robot company, and Melco Mobility Solutions, part of Mitsubishi Electric Group, announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership with a multi-million dollar agreement aimed at transforming industrial logistics in Japan.
Under the new agreement, Melco Mobility Solutions has ordered nearly 100 Cartken Hauler robots, which will be deployed across industrial facilities in Japan within this fiscal year. The rugged, AI-powered robots are designed to handle heavy payloads—up to 300 kg (660 lbs)—and can navigate ramps, uneven terrain, and adverse weather conditions autonomously.
Building on a longstanding collaboration
Since 2022, Cartken and Melco Mobility Solutions have collaborated to bring autonomous robotic solutions to Japan. The partnership has already seen Cartken robots deployed for various purposes—from food delivery in urban areas with Uber Eats, to grocery delivery with Rakuten, and document and materials movement on corporate campuses and industrial sites.
Melco Mobility Solutions, which distributes Mitsubishi Electric’s automotive products and mobility solutions, has been instrumental in localizing Cartken’s technology and securing regulatory approvals in Japan. Notably, the “Cartken Courier” robot (formerly Model C) became the first delivery robot in Japan authorized for autonomous nighttime operation on public roads.
The companies have also developed innovative integrations, such as a system that enables Cartken robots to use elevators, allowing autonomous deliveries across multiple building floors.
Enter the Cartken Hauler
This latest initiative focuses on scaling the Cartken Hauler, a larger, more robust model designed for industrial environments. With its flexible cargo design and AI-driven fleet management platform, the Hauler is tailored for moving materials between buildings and across complex indoor-outdoor spaces.
Speaking about the partnership, Christian Bersch, CEO and co-founder of Cartken, said:
“We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Melco Mobility Solutions, a Group Company of Mitsubishi Electric, and bring Cartken Haulers into industrial environments in Japan at scale. This order signals trust in Cartken’s technology and highlights the growing need for robust, safe, and flexible robotic automation solutions.”
Yasuo Aoki, president and CEO of Melco Mobility Solutions, added:
“By working with Cartken and Mitsubishi Electric to advance the deployment of automated delivery robots, we hope to contribute to solving social issues in Japan’s industrial environment.”
Looking ahead
This expansion reflects Japan’s urgent need to address labor shortages and logistics challenges, particularly in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. With this deployment, Cartken and Melco Mobility Solutions aim to set a new standard for autonomous material movement in Japan.
With Mitsubishi Electric also serving as a strategic investor in Cartken, the partnership underlines a shared commitment to advancing automation and sustainability through cutting-edge robotics.