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HISTORY

GROUND History

Transforming logistics through technology

We began by selling and deploying robots from overseas, and later moved into developing our own AI software. Then came the birth of “GWES,” which manages logistics facilities in an integrated way—our journey over these 10 years is the story of DX in the logistics industry itself.

012012–14

Prehistory — Early Signs

Amazon makes a major acquisition of a robotics company. Robotic logistics begins to see practical use in Japan too. An era of the first seeds that led to GROUND's founding.

  1. INDUSTRY

    Amazon acquires Kiva Systems for $775M

    The dawn of an era in which robotics plays a central role in warehouse operations. It became clear that logistics sites in Japan urgently needed similar technological innovation.

022015–19

Founding & Challenge

A logistics tech company is born. Bringing robots from India to Japan. From collaboration with overseas partners to the decision to shift to developing our own AI software.

  1. FOUNDING

    GROUND Inc. founded

    Founded to realize “Intelligent Logistics,” a fusion of technology and logistics. Drawing on experience at Rakuten Logistics and the fast-moving wave of logistics robotics overseas, it started out as a Japan-based logistics tech company.

    GROUND Inc.'s website at the time of its founding
  2. MILESTONE

    Founding press conference — partnership with GreyOrange announced

    At its founding press conference in January 2016, GROUND also announced a capital and business alliance with GreyOrange. Former Sony President & Chairman Nobuyuki Idei joined as advisor, broadcasting GROUND's vision to the world. It acquired the exclusive rights in Japan to sell “Butler®,” a logistics robot from India, and Japan's robotic logistics revolution began.

    Founding press conference venue, with reporters seated holding materials in front of a screen showing the GROUND Inc. logo Many attendees gathered at the reception after the founding press conference
  3. PARTNERSHIP

    Capital and business alliance with Okamura

    Formed a capital and business alliance with Okamura, a major maker of office and logistics equipment. Began jointly promoting a logistics systems business that uses robot technology. The start of a relationship destined to grow much stronger 8 years later.

  4. FUNDING

    Capital and business alliance with Daiwa House Industry

    Concluded a capital and business alliance with Daiwa House Industry, a leading company in logistics facilities. Received a 1 billion yen investment to accelerate robot deployment in logistics facilities.

Selling and deploying robots alone cannot solve the fundamental challenges of logistics. We need the power of software to optimize entire warehouses.

  1. PRODUCT

    Pilot of AI logistics software “DyAS”

    Began a DyAS pilot at a major company's logistics center. Working on inventory placement optimization and more efficient staffing, it was an important step toward the shift from robot company to software company.

    Diagram showing the relationship between DyAS data and its effects
  2. PARTNERSHIP

    AMR prototype completed — China TECHHUB base

    An AMR (autonomous mobile robot) prototype was completed at TECHHUB in China. Establishing a global robotics development network.

    Group photo in front of the TECHHUB building in China, with the team lined up behind five AMR prototypes
  3. PRODUCT

    DyAS patent granted and AMR robots deployed

    The inventory placement optimization algorithm of the AI logistics software “DyAS” was granted a patent. In July of the same year, AMRs were deployed at Diamond Head.

  4. FUNDING

    Major funding round totaling 1.71 billion yen

    Raised a total of 1.71 billion yen from INCJ, Sony Innovation Fund, Sapphire Capital, JA Mitsui Leasing, and others.

    Series B funding round, with our investors
  5. PARTNERSHIP

    MOU signing ceremony with Thailand

    Held a historic MOU signing ceremony at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Thailand. It marked the first step in GROUND's Southeast Asian expansion and Japan-Thailand collaboration.

    At the MOU signing ceremony at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Thailand, representatives shake hands holding the signed documents, with the Japanese and Thai flags between them

032020–23

Evolution into a Software Company

Building on our robot deployment experience, we officially released our own AI software, “DyAS.” Then, as its evolution, “GWES” was born to manage entire logistics facilities in an integrated way.

  1. PARTNERSHIP

    Logistics ecosystem launched with Nihon Unisys / PEER Launch

    Announced a joint logistics ecosystem business with Nihon Unisys (now BIPROGY). Launched the autonomous collaborative robot “PEER” assessment program.

  2. MILESTONE

    5th anniversary

    In 2020, the GROUND team marked five years since its founding. A milestone year in which we carried out the shift of our business model from robot deployment to AI software development.

    At an exhibition, six GROUND members and partners line up in front of two transport robots and shelves
  3. PRODUCT

    Launch of AI logistics software “DyAS”

    Officially released “DyAS,” our in-house AI logistics software. Patented algorithms optimize inventory placement and resource allocation. A major turning point from robot company to software company.

  4. PRODUCT

    GWES official release — the birth of the Logistics OS

    Building on what we learned from DyAS, we officially released GWES (Logistics OS). A “Logistics OS” made up of 12 modules. GROUND's core product finally reaches the world.

    GWES progress dashboard screen on a dark background
  5. PARTNERSHIP

    Business alliance with AUTOBACS SEVEN

    Signed a business alliance with major car accessories retailer AUTOBACS SEVEN for logistics optimization. Began transforming retail logistics with GWES.

    Representatives of both companies shake hands in front of a wall showing the GROUND and AUTOBACS SEVEN logos

GWES is not just software. As an OS for logistics facilities, it is a platform that optimizes collaboration between people and robots.

042024–

Into the Growth Phase

We deepened our relationship with Okamura and built a new management structure. Deployments at major companies such as NIPPON EXPRESS and Kao accelerated. The challenge toward 1,000 sites begins.

  1. ORGANIZATION

    Stronger alliance with Okamura and a new management structure

    INCJ transferred all of its shares to Okamura. A relationship that began 8 years earlier became an even deeper bond. We built a new management structure and laid the foundation for the next 10 years.

  2. DEPLOYMENT

    GWES adopted for NIPPON EXPRESS's “NX-GLOW”

    GWES was adopted for “NX-GLOW,” the global standard warehouse management system of NIPPON EXPRESS, one of Japan's largest logistics companies. GWES deployment on a global scale begins.

  3. DEPLOYMENT

    GWES deployment begins across Kao's 44 sites nationwide

    GWES deployment began at the logistics centers of Kao, a top maker of household products. Starting with Hachioji LC, rollout to 44 sites nationwide was planned by the end of 2025.

  4. MILESTONE

    10th anniversary event

    Ten years since our founding in April 2015. Team members, partners, and supporters gathered to look back on our journey and share our vision for the next 10 years.

    Group photo of GROUND members at the 10th anniversary event
  5. PRODUCT

    GWES v1.10.5 Release

    Released GWES v1.10.5, continuing improvements to forecasting, visualization, and usability for on-site logistics operations.

  6. MILESTONE

    GWES surpasses 100 deployment sites

    GWES (Logistics OS) surpassed 100 deployment sites nationwide. Its growth as a platform that supports facility managers' decisions through visualization and optimization of logistics sites is accelerating.

    Announcement image with the words that deployments have passed 100 sites, alongside a laptop and tablet showing GWES screens

05NEXT

The Next Challenge

Let's write the next decade, together.

This decade has been merely the prologue to one great challenge. GWES deployments will reach 1,000 sites and expand globally. Combining the strengths of technology and people, we will keep changing the future of logistics.

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