Zeon and Sanctuary AI will collaborate on rugged elastomeric components for robotic hands deployable in industrial environments.
Zeon Corporation (Zeon; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tetsuya Toyoshima), through its venture capital arm Zeon Ventures Inc. (California, U.S.A.; representative: Kazuhiro Takahashi), has invested in and partnered with Sanctuary AI, a Vancouver-based pioneer in dexterity for advanced robotics.
Sanctuary AI is at the forefront of the development of general-purpose robots capable of performing complex industrial labor. The company is pursuing human-level dexterity using a proprietary dexterous hand that combines unique miniaturized hydraulic actuators and high-fidelity tactile sensing to enable a near-human sense of touch. Paired with the company’s Physical AI, Sanctuary AI’s system is capable of unmatched strength, speed and the sub-millimeter precision required to achieve industry-leading dexterous manipulation for industrial applications.
Transitioning dexterous robots from the lab to the factory floor will require resilient materials that balance industrial-grade toughness with the tactile precision of human touch. As Sanctuary AI moves toward commercial deployments, Zeon Group will leverage its unique elastomeric material expertise and its extensive testing and evaluation capabilities to support Sanctuary AI’s product development.
Deploying dexterous robotic systems at scale is expected to unlock new levels of productivity, driving economic growth and innovation and supporting aging societies. Through this investment and partnership, Zeon, as a materials manufacturer, strives to develop specialized materials that can help realize the potential of these technologies for human productivity.
Under our Medium-Term Business Plan: STAGE30, Zeon aims to raise the sales ratio of four growth areas (Mobility, Healthcare and Life Science, Telecommunications and GX) to 48% of total sales by fiscal 2028. Going forward, Zeon will continue to contribute to a 'sustainable planet' and 'safe and comfortable society’ by investing in and supporting innovative companies and developing new materials that can transform various fields and industries.
Outline of Sanctuary AI
Company Name: Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corporation
Business: Robotics systems and software
Representative: James Wells
URL: https://www.sanctuary.ai/
Outline of Zeon Ventures
Company Name: Zeon Ventures, Inc.
Business: Investment in startup companies and other activities
Representative: Kazuhiro Takahashi
Address: 25 Metro Drive, Suite 238, San Jose, California 95110
Investment Scale: US$ 50 million
URL: https://www.zeon.ventures/
For more information, contact:
Department of Corporate Communications, Corporate Planning Division, Zeon Corporation
