O-ID Raises $1.2 Million Pre-Seed to Build Modular Humanoid Robots for Japanese Factories

O-ID, a Tokyo-based company building fully modular humanoid robots for industrial manufacturing and logistics, has raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding.

The round was led by Chicago-based TAWANI Ventures, with participation from Hustle Fund, Techstars, and angel investors, including the founders of Humanoid Guide, who were early investors in robotics company 1X. The company will use the funding to move its first robot from prototype to production as it prepares to place robots on Japanese factory floors.

As its population ages, Japan's workforce is projected to shrink, leading to a shortage of over 11 million workers by 2040, with factory workers retiring and going unreplaced. At the same time, robotics is a national priority: Japan announced in June 2026 that it is targeting ¥10.5 trillion ($65.1 billion) in public and private investment for physical AI, aiming to deploy 10 million AI-equipped robots by 2040.

O-ID's robots fit into a factory's existing layout with no rebuild required, meeting current industrial safety standards for immediate deployment. Their modular architecture with hot-swappable joints, limbs, and compute units means a worn part can be replaced on-site in minutes. Onboard AI sensors continuously monitor component wear and flag parts approaching failure before downtime occurs.

Stian Jakobsen, CEO of O-ID, stated:

"When enough factory roles go unfilled at once, entire supply chains are at risk. O-ID's robots are built to work alongside the people still on the floor, closing those gaps before they become a crisis for a single factory and for the industries Japan depends on."

O-ID has signed a letter of intent with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. to begin discussions on the potential application of Sumitomo Electric's technologies to humanoid robot wire harnesses.

William Pritzker, Partner at TAWANI Ventures, stated:

"Japan and Chicago share a robust role and history as lynchpins of the global manufacturing ecosystem. Stian and Simon have impressed us with their ability to work and to innovate within this space. Modular humanoids are a generational opportunity to expand industrial productivity just as labor force declines present unprecedented challenges."

Yuki Shirato, Managing Director at Techstars, stated:

"O-ID humanoid robots will be modular, designed for mass production and repairs, and made entirely in Japan. They have made tremendous progress since then, and this fundraise and joint research with Japanese manufacturers mark an important step forward in their mission of reshaping how we live."