Regarding Seed Round Funding

ARAV Co., Ltd. (Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Reyes Itsuki Shiraku), a UTokyo-based startup aiming for construction site DX and automation, raised 63 million yen in a seed round through a third-party allotment of shares on March 8. The underwriter is University of Tokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC).

Founded in April 2020, ARAV works on teleoperation and autonomous piloting of machinery using robotics, developing retrofit products for existing equipment.

By promoting construction DX and utilizing big data from R&D and field tests, the company aims to solve various industry challenges.

Amid growing attention, including being selected for MLIT’s “Innovative Technologies” in Nov 2020, ARAV partnered with ITOCHU TC Construction Machinery for the early practical application of disaster-response remote systems.

Additionally, in collaboration with Visper LLC, it successfully automated excavator loading using the “Michibiki” satellite system and is co-developing with over 10 manufacturers.

The funds will strengthen business investment and recruitment, focusing on packaging remote systems for harsh environments like steel mills and disaster sites, and developing autonomous systems for repetitive tasks.

ARAV will also partner with leasing and rental companies to make remote/autonomous machinery available nationwide.

CEO Shiraku stated the focus is on “solving visible challenges one by one,” while UTokyo IPC’s Naohiro Mizumoto expressed honor in participating as a lead investor, noting ARAV’s increasing importance.