Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. has invested in IMUZAK Inc., a startup located in
Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, with strengths in optical design and
assessment, to accelerate its development of interior and exterior
modules for the age of autonomous driving.
The evolution of autonomous driving technology is expected to increase
the need for parts equipped with sensing functions to recognize the
surrounding environment, such as nearby vehicles or pedestrians and road
configuration, and human-machine interface functions for communication
between vehicles and people. Given this trend, Toyoda Gosei is
integrating sensors and other electronic components into its exterior
and interior products such as front grilles, cockpits, and steering
wheels, where it has been a leading supplier for many years. The modular
products it is developing with this new technology will combine
functions for safety and comfort with attractive design.
Toyoda Gosei’s investment in IMUZAK will give it access to that
company’s proprietary findings in the field of optics for the creation
of new value as it develops exterior products that are transparent to
infrared light using LIDAR* and interior products that use light in
equipment operation.
This investment is the first to be made by Toyoda Gosei’s newly
established Corporate Venture Capital Dept., started in January 2019 as
a dedicated organization for corporate venture capital. The amount of
the investment is 50 million yen, which will give Toyoda Gosei an equity
stake of 19.1% in IMUZAK.
| * |
Light Detection and Ranging, a sensing method that measures distance and direction by the time it takes emitted infrared laser light to reflect off of an object and return. Compared with millimeter wave radar, a sensor using the similar mechanism, LIDAR uses electromagnetic waves with a shorter wavelength, and so is characterized by high spatial resolution, or ability to detect objects in detail. |
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Outline of IMUZAK |
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| 1. Name | IMUZAK Inc. | |
| 2. Location |
2-2-1 Yagata-shi, Yamagata 990-2743, Japan |
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| 3. President | Kazumi Sawamura | |
| 4. Established | January 21, 2015 | |
| 5. Capital | 13 million yen | |
About Toyoda Gosei
Established in 1949 and headquartered in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture,
Japan, Toyoda Gosei is a leading specialty manufacturer of rubber and
plastic automotive parts. Today, the Toyoda Gosei Group provides a
variety of high-quality products internationally, with a network of
approximately 100 plants and offices in 18 countries and regions.
Through its flexible, integrated global supply system and leading-edge
technologies, Toyoda Gosei aims to grow as a global company that acts
flexibly and swiftly in today’s dramatically changing business
environment, delivering the highest levels of satisfaction to customers
worldwide through safety, comfort, well-being and the environment.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190514005028/en/