Suzuki Invests in Robotics Software Startup LINKWIZ for Factory Automation
Suzuki Motor Corporation has invested in LINKWIZ, a startup specializing in industrial robot control software, to automate welding inspection and enhance quality at its plants.
- 2026
- 2022
- 2015
What Happened
Suzuki Motor Corporation has invested in LINKWIZ, a Hamamatsu-based startup that develops control software for industrial robots. The investment was made through Suzuki's corporate venture capital fund, Suzuki Global Ventures (SGV). LINKWIZ's solutions use 3D scanning and robot control to automate processing steps like appearance inspection and enhance quality traceability.
“Driven by our mission to 'revolutionize work through robotics that inherit human skills,' we are committed to driving field innovation with industrial robots. We aim to contribute to improvements in processes that are highly labor-dependent in automobile manufacturing and to achieve uniform quality globally with our solutions.”
“By leveraging LINKWIZ's point cloud data processing and robot control technologies, we anticipate significant improvements in productivity and enhanced quality stability for welded parts. These technologies will enable automation for workpieces with uncertain positions and shapes, which has been a challenge for conventional production lines.”
Suzuki has already implemented LINKWIZ solutions at its Hamamatsu and Kosai Plants for welding inspection. The companies also signed an MOU for joint business development to expand the adoption of these solutions beyond welding inspection, aiming to maintain production in Japan amidst a declining population and improve overall quality stability.
Why this matters
The investment supports Suzuki's push for smart factories where robots and humans collaborate, addressing labor shortages and quality consistency in auto manufacturing.
Terms in This Story
- DX
- Digital transformation, the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business.
- MOU
- Memorandum of understanding, a non-binding agreement outlining mutual plans.
- point cloud data
- A set of data points in space, used in 3D scanning to create a digital representation of an object.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.