Robotruck raises ¥5.2B Series A first close for self-driving trucks
What's the deal? Robotruck, a Tokyo-based startup developing a fully autonomous driving system for heavy trucks, has raised about ¥5.2 billion in the first close of its Series A round. JIC Venture Growth InvestmentsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → led the round, with a second close planned.
Who's backing it? New investors include Sparx Asset ManagementDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → — which runs the Mirai Creation Fund III backed by Toyota and Sumitomo Mitsui BankingDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → — and Mitsubishi UFJ CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Existing backers Globis Capital PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Archetype Ventures, Mizuho Leasing, and SMBC Venture Capital also joined.
What's the endgame? Founded in April 2024, Robotruck aims to build a domestic Level 4 system that logistics operators can deploy across their own fleets and networks. It is designed for Japan's road and logistics conditions rather than relying on overseas technology.
Why now? Japan's government targets 1,000 self-driving trucks on the road by 2030 as a response to the country's logistics crunch. Autonomous driving is named a priority under Japan's national growth strategy.
In May 2026, Robotruck drove the full 260km stretch of highway from Atsugi-Minami IC in Kanagawa to Toyota JCT in Aichi without any intervention from a safety driver. It has also been selected for programmes run by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and joined consortia led by Toyota Tsusho and Orix Auto.
Where's the money going? Robotruck will expand its fleet of test vehicles, build in system redundancy, and widen its operational design domain and safety validation. It also plans to invest in physical AI development, compute resources, and driving-data infrastructure.
What could go wrong? Investor Kosuke Tatsumi of Sparx flagged that infrastructure-scale change is hard. "the solution requires more time and effort than expected," he said, citing rules, regulation, and integration with existing logistics operations.
The signal: At roughly $32 million, this ranks among the largest transportation Series A rounds in Japan. The lineup of state-linked and bank-affiliated backers underscores how self-driving freight has become a strategic bet on Japan's economic security and its 2024-problem labour shortage.
Read more: PR TIMES
Image credit: Robotruck
