Autonomous Mobile Robot Kachaka Pro Accelerates Office DX - Toda Corporation Case Study

Toda Corporation’s Initiative: Driving Office DX with a Transport Robot

Toda Corporation (hereafter “Toda”), a company focused on developing the smart office, deployed a range of IoT systems and robots throughout the new headquarters it opened in November 2024. Among them is the autonomous transport robot Kachaka Pro, adopted to automate the collection of used drink cups. This article is based on an interview conducted by Preferred Robotics with 田村 of the DX Promotion Office within Toda’s ICT Management Division, covering the background, applications, and results of the Kachaka Pro deployment.

Background: Smarter Offices and Greater Operational Efficiency

Kachaka Pro operates on the 8th floor of the new headquarters. This floor houses more than ten meeting rooms and an adjoining cafe staffed by a small team. The cafe runs counter service for drinks and light meals, as well as a beverage delivery service to the meeting rooms.

The new office, however, is large, and the workload concentrated heavily on the cafe staff. Improving the efficiency of delivering beverages to meeting rooms and collecting used cups became a clear priority.

Why Kachaka Pro: Multi-Shelf Operation, a Flexible API, and Cost Advantage

Against this backdrop, Toda took interest in Kachaka Pro, visited the showroom to see a live demonstration of the actual unit, and decided to deploy it after the briefing. The points the team particularly valued at the time of adoption were as follows:

• Efficient operation across multiple shelves: Kachaka Pro features a docking mechanism that lets it separate from and connect to shelves, so even a single unit can efficiently transport multiple shelves and serve a variety of roles.
• Flexible system integration via API: The API is open, allowing in-house development and easy integration with existing smart office systems and IoT devices.
• Stable operation in large environments: Equipped with a LiDAR that ranges up to 12 meters, it runs reliably even across the expansive new office.
• High safety: It smoothly avoids not only static obstacles but also moving pedestrians, preventing collisions.
• Cost advantage: Compared with other transport robots of equivalent specification, Kachaka Pro’s acquisition cost is clearly more competitive.

How It Is Used

Toda automated the entire flow of “Kachaka Pro travels to the cup drop-off area, collects the used cups, and returns”:

1. Departure from the cafe: A cafe staff member presses a button to start Kachaka Pro, which docks with an empty shelf placed at the cafe and begins moving.
2. One-way trip of about 70 meters: Without colliding with pedestrians, furniture, or equipment, the robot autonomously travels roughly 70 meters to reach the cup drop-off area.
3. Shelf swap at the drop-off area: Using its docking and separation functions, it leaves the empty shelf at the drop-off area and picks up a shelf loaded with used cups instead.
4. Return to the cafe: It transports the shelf of used cups back to the cafe.

For issuing movement commands to Kachaka Pro, Toda combined SORACOM’s IoT button with the Kachaka API, developing the program in-house. As a result, cafe staff complete the entire sequence above with a single button press.

Results: Kachaka Pro, an AMR That Underpins DX

Replacing 2 km of Daily Walking and Freeing Staff for Cafe Operations

With Kachaka Pro handling used-cup collection, the roughly 2 km of daily round-trip walking that cafe staff once shouldered has been eliminated. Staff can now concentrate on barista work and guest reception.

Contributing to a Tidy Office

Initially, the team considered placing several small trash bins around the floor, but that approach risked used cups overflowing. Once Kachaka Pro took over cup collection, the extra bins were no longer needed and the concern was resolved.

Showcasing the Smart Office to Visitors

The floor receives many visitors every day, and Kachaka Pro in action is a favorite among them. Guests are especially delighted by the sight of Kachaka Pro docking with a shelf (sliding underneath and lifting it) and by the moments when it passes other mobile robots smoothly without collision.

Looking Ahead: Elevator Integration to Automate In-Building Delivery

Toda notes that Kachaka Pro’s API is remarkably complete, making most of what they want to do achievable. Going forward, the company plans to make full use of this API to link Kachaka Pro with elevators for mail and document transport:

• Elevator integration for automated in-building transport: Connecting elevators with Kachaka Pro to automate cross-floor transport throughout the building.
• Improving operations with data: Using the robot’s operational data to optimize workflows and create new value.
• Offering smart office solutions externally: Building on its own success story to bring smart office implementation services to client companies.

Conclusion: An Office Transport Robot for the DX Era

Kachaka Pro is deployed not only in factories, restaurants, and healthcare facilities but also across a growing number of offices. For any company exploring smarter offices, greater operational efficiency, and DX, Kachaka Pro is well worth evaluating.