Marubun signs Japan robot MOU with DEEP Robotics

Marubun Corp has signed a memorandum of understanding with DEEP Robotics to expand sales of the Chinese company’s quadruped robots in Japan and pursue collaboration in the market, according to a release issued on July 23.

The Japanese electronics trading company said the agreement is aimed at promoting robot solutions suited to domestic demand as Japan faces labor shortages, aging infrastructure and the need to improve safety in hazardous environments such as disaster sites.

Marubun said quadruped robots are drawing attention as a way to automate work in complex terrain and areas that are difficult for people to access. DEEP Robotics has deployment experience in sectors including power, construction, firefighting and rescue in multiple countries.

The two companies plan to combine Marubun’s customer base and technical support capabilities in Japan with DEEP Robotics’ robotics technology to provide robot solutions for the Japanese market and jointly develop new applications.

DEEP Robotics’ robots use motion-control and AI technologies that allow stable walking and running on stairs, steps and rubble, as well as in bad weather. The robots are equipped with LiDAR and other sensors for autonomous environmental recognition, obstacle avoidance and route planning, enabling autonomous patrol inspections. They can also carry modules including high-resolution cameras, infrared thermal imagers, gas detectors and robotic arms.

The robots are designed with dustproof and waterproof protection equivalent to IP67 standards for industrial and outdoor use. Marubun’s website introduces DEEP Robotics models including the all-terrain LYNX M20S and the smaller LYNX S10.

DEEP Robotics is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and was founded in 2017. The company develops industrial quadruped and humanoid robots. Chief Executive Zhu Qiuguo said in the release that the partnership with Marubun would help address challenges across a range of work sites in Japan.

Marubun, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Tokyo, sells semiconductors, electronic components and system equipment. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Prime Market under securities code 7537. Marubun had 1,193 employees on a consolidated basis as of March 31, 2026, and posted revenue of 213.4 billion yen ($1.31 billion) in fiscal 2025. USD/JPY rate used: 163.

Japan has been deploying more automation technologies in manufacturing, infrastructure inspection and disaster response as the country’s working-age population declines and maintenance needs rise.