As the need for robot utilization increases due to the response to the new coronavirus and labor shortages, the "subscription" service that lends robots to small and medium-sized enterprises for a fixed amount every month is expanding.
Of these, Mitsui & Co., a major trading company, is in full swing with a robot subscription service that automatically transports and sorts products in distribution warehouses.
In the case of sorting robots, it costs about 2 million yen per robot, but with this service, it costs about 50,000 yen a month including maintenance costs, and it is possible to rent only when needed.
The need for robots is increasing due to measures against the new corona and labor shortages, but the company plans to expand its services to small and medium-sized enterprises where the introduction cost is a burden.
Taku Iima, president of Mitsui's subsidiary Plus Automation, said, "This service is characterized by its ability to automate work without making a large investment."
Regarding robot subscriptions for small and medium-sized enterprises, the Tokyo venture company "Connected Robotics" is expanding, such as starting a service to rent out unmanned robots that boil buckwheat noodles to restaurants at a fixed price every month.