Robotruck Inc. Gains Strategic Investment Boost from UTokyo IPC
Deal News | Mar 31, 2025 | UTokyo Innovation Platform Co
The UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), headed by President & CEO Kosuke Ueda, recently announced a significant investment made by its Accelerating Open Innovation 1 Investment Limited Partnership (AOI Fund I) in Robotruck Inc. The Tokyo-based startup, led by CEO Nan Wu, specializes in developing autonomous trucking solutions aimed at tackling logistical challenges in Japan, especially ahead of the 2024 logistics crisis. In collaboration with the PKSHA Algorithm Fund No.2 and AIS CAPITAL Inc., this investment demonstrates confidence in Robotruck's technological leadership in autonomous trucking solutions. Robotruck's team builds upon the achievements of the former TuSimple Japan team. They achieved a notable milestone in 2023, completing a historic 270 km Level 4 autonomous driving test in Japan and continued to showcase technological prowess with a successful 100 km test in 2025. The investment from UTokyo IPC is intended to expedite Robotruck's advancements and its future commercialization plans. CEO Nan Wu expressed gratitude for investor support and is committed to extending operations to various routes by 2026. Takahiro Mizumoto, CIO Partner at UTokyo IPC, emphasized the importance of collaboration across the logistics sector for success.
Sectors
- Autonomous Vehicles
- Logistics
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Geography
- Japan – The activities, testing, and future plans of Robotruck Inc. are based in Japan, and the company aims to address Japan's logistic challenges.
- United States – CEO Nan Wu co-founded TuSimple, a US-based company, and Robotruck leverages expertise and achievements from its predecessor company in the US.
Industry
- Autonomous Vehicles – The article discusses Robotruck Inc., which develops autonomous truck technologies, contributing to the growth in the autonomous vehicle industry.
- Logistics – Robotruck aims to address a critical logistics crisis in Japan, highlighting the intersection of innovative technology and the logistics industry.
- Private Equity & Venture Capital – The investment by UTokyo IPC and partners into Robotruck Inc. represents a venture capital activity aimed at fostering innovation in the logistics sector.
Financials
- 150 million – Total investment amount made by UTokyo IPC's AOI Fund I in partnership with other investors.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. | Investor | Company | A venture capital firm investing in Robotruck Inc. through its AOI Fund I. |
| Robotruck Inc. | Target Company | Company | A Japanese startup pioneering autonomous truck solutions for the logistics industry. |
| Nan Wu | CEO of Robotruck Inc. | Person | Founder of Robotruck Inc. and former co-founder of TuSimple. |
| PKSHA Algorithm Fund No.2 | Co-Investor | Company | A co-investor in Robotruck Inc. alongside UTokyo IPC. |
| AIS CAPITAL Inc. | Co-Investor | Company | Co-managed the algorithm fund that invested in Robotruck alongside PKSHA Technology Capital. |