Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and HACARUS Corporation announced that they have agreed to expand their collaboration in the development of AI-based visual inspection applications for manufacturing.
As part of the agreement, Mitsubishi Electric will take an equity stake in HACARUS.
AI-based visual inspection solutions
The strategic partnership will leverage the resources and technologies of both companies to increase synergies aimed at maximising mutual technological and business potential.
By leveraging HACARUS' expertise, Mitsubishi Electric expects to accelerate its development and provision of integrated and automated AI-based visual inspection solutions that will enable customers to improve manufacturing quality and overall productivity.
HACARUS Check
HACARUS Check is a visual inspection solution equipped with a unique, compact AI
For HACARUS, the collaboration will provide access to Mitsubishi Electric's extensive sales infrastructure in Japan and overseas.
HACARUS Check is a visual inspection solution equipped with a unique, compact AI. In addition to AI development, HACARUS also specialises in integrating AI with various factory automation (FA) devices.
MELSOFT VIXIO
In December 2023, Mitsubishi Electric released MELSOFT VIXIO, an AI-based visual-inspection software equipped with the company's proprietary Maisart AI technology to automate visual-inspection processes for improved manufacturing quality and to address the problem of Japan's shrinking labour force.
"As part of our strategy for the FA systems business, we are addressing key challenges facing modern society," said Toshie Takeuchi, Group President of Mitsubishi Electric's Factory Automation Systems Group.
Addressing labour shortages
HACARUS' expertise in AI-based visual inspection, to address labour shortages in the manufacturing sector"
"The automation of production lines is accelerating due to labour shortages, but many visual inspections are still performed manually by humans."
"Through this collaboration, we look forward to strengthening our response to customer needs through MELSOFT VIXIO, supported by HACARUS' expertise in AI-based visual inspection, to address labour shortages in the manufacturing sector."
AI, IoT, and robots
"Since HACARUS's founding in 2014, our company has sought to "measure" in a variety of industrial areas and has made it its mission to contribute to society by creating additional value from data using the latest technologies such as AI, IoT, and robots. For customers in the manufacturing industry, we offer HACARUS Check, a product that reduces the manual labour required for visual inspection," said Takashi Someda, CEO of HACARUS.
"Through this capital and business alliance, we will strive to develop solutions that promote digital transformation at manufacturing sites, focusing primarily on surface inspection, by combining Mitsubishis Electric’s FA products and knowledge with our AI technology to solve social issues such as the decline in the working population."
Circular digital engineering
Mitsubishi Electric’s FA systems business is strengthening its portfolio of solutions for the digitalisation
Mitsubishi Electric’s FA systems business is strengthening its portfolio of solutions for the digitalisation of manufacturing and the promotion of Circular digital engineering.
To further automate and digitise processes, including design, production, testing, operation, and maintenance, Mitsubishi Electric is steadily investing and partnering with software companies to provide customers with best-in-class products and solutions.
Rule-based visual inspection
In recent years, shrinking labour forces, especially skilled labour, in various countries have negatively impacted manufacturing productivity levels. One response has been the adoption and development of rule-based visual inspection using image-processing technologies.
However, difficulties in detecting defects such as scratches and uneven colors are increasing the demand for AI technology that can further automate inspection processes and reduce burdens on product inspectors.