As a deep-tech company, Kudan is accelerating commercialization by bringing in Artisense and commercializing software for autonomous driving, including the launch of spatial perception software for NVIDIA Jetson as of March 2024.
Kudan Inc. was founded in the UK in 2011 and operates its business around augmented reality technology. It moved its headquarters functions to Tokyo in 2014 and was listed on the TSE Growth Market in December 2018. The founder's background includes content development using game IP, and the company has pursued technology development based on deep tech.
As a key business characteristic, the company has adopted a business model based on technology licensing. It describes a two-stage structure, referred to as the “first half and second half,” in which technology is developed initially and licensing revenue increases later, when products incorporating that technology sell in the market. The company also intends to apply its advanced spatial perception technology, including artificial perception and SLAM, to industrial digital twins, autonomous driving and robotics.
Artisense Corporation joined in January 2020 and is said to have contributed to securing an overwhelming market share. In October 2022, adoption of Visual SLAM software for autonomous driving was progressing toward commercialization. This has advanced the practical application of digital twins and spatial perception, particularly in Europe. As a recent development, the company announced the launch of software for NVIDIA Jetson in March 2024.
As part of its growth strategy, the company pursues a non-competitive strategy in areas where it is difficult for major companies to enter, with the aim of establishing de facto standards primarily in industrial fields. The technology is currently being used at sites such as infrastructure inspections, and the company explains that it is working with approximately 10 partners to apply it to power transmission network and substation projects.