Contribute to a Smart Society

Amid an accelerating global trend toward automation and the scaling up of logistics operations, investments in alleviating labor shortages and boosting productivity are expected to grow even more in the future. The Daifuku Group will work to expand its existing domains and open new ones as it seeks to respond to ever-advancing needs in society. We will develop new and use existing cutting-edge technologies to further increase the value we offer to stakeholders. In doing so, we aspire to help realize a smart society.

Related Sustainable Development Goals and Targets

The following are the priority topics and their related Sustainable Development Goals and Targets for one theme of the Sustainability Action Plan: Contribute to a Smart Society.

Priority topic	Goal	Target
Promote innovative technological development and invention	8. Decent work and economic growth	8.2	Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
Develop new business domains	9. Industry innovation and infrastructure	9.b	Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities
Cater to customer needs through smart logistics	9. Industry innovation and infrastructure	9.1	Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
Cater to customer needs through smart logistics	9. Industry innovation and infrastructure	9.2	Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries

FY2023 Achievements

The following are our fiscal 2023 achievements in each of the priority topics for the above theme of the Sustainability Action Plan, Contribute to a Smart Society.

Sustainability Action Plan (PDF: 763KB)

FY2021-FY2023 Achievements of the Sustainability Action Plan (PDF: 539KB)

Materiality

Promote innovative technological development and invention

In terms of the breakdown of innovation investment, R&D expenditures amounted to 11.2 billion yen and digital transformation related investments amounted to 5.8 billion yen, thereby achieving our target. We achieved and exceeded our target by a wide margin for the number of patent registrations due to an increase in the number of applications filed outside of Japan.

KPIs	Scope	FY2023 targets	FY2023 results
Innovation investment amount^*	Global	¥15 billion	¥17 billion
Patent registrations (cumulative total)	Global	4,100 patents	4,378 patents

* R&D expenses + DX investment amount

Number of patents registered

Daifuku proactively applies for patents and acquisition rights primarily for newly developed products. We have been filing an increasing number of patent applications outside of Japan in recent years, and we currently hold patents in more than 30 countries around the world. In addition to the quantity of acquisition rights, we are also focusing on improving the quality and speed of obtaining these rights.

Transition of patents by country or region

Materiality

Develop new business domains

While some projects are still in the development, design, and prototype stages, there are a number of instances in which we have received specific orders, and our initiatives are progressing smoothly toward the goals we have set.

KPIs	Scope	FY2023 targets	FY2023 results
Penetration into new markets and new business conditions; commercialization of new products	Global	Development through collaborative research with universities and companies Provide new automated solutions Cultivate new customers, expand business area globally Expand service business	Promoted the development of new products through open innovation with multiple universities and external research institutions Provided automation solutions for back-end processes in semiconductor manufacturing (wafer stacking, direct bonding, etc.) Began development of improved automated truck loading and unloading equipment Developed a device for cleaning the interior of garbage trucks Deployed smart security lanes at airports in North America Service sales: an increase of 25.8 billion yen (+16.2%) compared to the previous year

Advancing into the back-end processes of semiconductor manufacturing

The process of manufacturing semiconductors is divided into the front-end process of forming circuits on silicon wafers and the back-end process of cutting chips individually from wafers and working them into finished products. The cleanroom business of our Group has mainly provided transportation systems for the front-end process of semiconductor manufacturing lines. In recent years, however, we are gaining momentum in the development of next-generation technologies for back-end processes such as 3D stacking, in which multiple chips are stacked to enhance performance. As the importance of the back-end processes in the semiconductor manufacturing process increases, so does the need for automated transfer. In order to provide automated solutions for back-end processes, we are working to develop products that can accommodate the increased weight and diversified shapes of materials to be transported.
In addition, beginning in fiscal 2024, we are participating as a founding member of the Semiconductor Assembly Test Automation and Standardization Research Association (SATAS). SATAS was founded by 15 companies and organizations, which include semiconductor manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and automated transport equipment manufacturers, and standardization organizations. At SATAS, we are creating the technologies and industry standard specifications necessary for back-end process automation as well as developing and integrating equipment and verifying its operation. We are aiming for practical application by 2028.

Materiality

Cater to customer needs through smart logistics

As technological development progresses on a global scale, we are actively developing products and solutions that incorporate cutting-edge technologies. We are making steady progress toward the targets we have set.

KPIs	Scope	FY2023 targets	FY2023 results
Introduction of cutting-edge technology to products and services	Global	Use wireless and 5G technology and rechargeable batteries Introduce high-efficiency systems and predictive maintenance systems using AI technology Reduce energy consumption with more sophisticated power supply equipment Make maintenance services more efficient with the use of IoT	Continued technical evaluation for the introduction of wireless and 5G technologies Began sales of a predictive maintenance system based on AI technology Developed a high-capacity, contactless power supply device that reduces power consumption by 30% Launched the Car Wash Smart Support service (remote anomaly recovery, remote program updates, etc.)

Predictive maintenance system using AI technology

Model of a predictive maintenance system

In our intralogistics business, the Group has established a unique predictive maintenance system that automates visual, manual, and auditory inspections. The predictive maintenance system measures vibration, heat generation, and acoustics using our proprietary sensors, analyzes the data collected by edge devices onsite using a PC, and notifies the customer of equipment abnormalities and predicted failure points. The system also automatically uploads data to the cloud, analyzes failure data, and builds an equipment diagnostic abnormality detection model using AI. This system eliminates conveyor system breakdowns and keeps equipment running smoothly.