JANUARY 22--Marubeni Corporation of Japan has ordered multiple application runtime licenses for Braintech Inc. (North Vancouver, BC, Canada) 3D-Vision Guided Robotics (3D-VGR) platform software, called eVFTM. The licenses will be used to deliver 3D-VGR total solutions to Marubeni's automotive customers.
Operating under a mutually exclusive agreement, the two companies are collaborating on the development of 3D-VGR total solutions for specific manufacturing operations. Marubeni's tasks are to identify solutions that offer many repeat unit sales; to provide Braintech with the necessary parts and complementary technologies; and to sell, install and service the solutions. Braintech concentrates on the development of the specified 3D-VGR applications using its 3D guidance technologies, 3D-VGR development platform, and integrated third-party hardware and software.
Owen Jones, Braintech's CEO says, "This is an excellent way to penetrate the market, and we are collaborating on several different 3D-VGR total solutions for Japanese automakers and auto-parts manufacturers." Jones further states, "Marubeni's commitment to being the Asian market leader of 3D-VGR is accelerating Braintech's technology dominance by providing the means to make our product, eVF, the standard platform for developing 3D-VGR applications."
Akio Hirasawa, manager, Marubeni confirms, "We have seen a significant change in demand from 'mass-production-oriented' manufacturing to faster, more 'flexible' systems ideally suited for VGR technology; with Japan having more than 60% of the world's industrial robots, the market opportunities are enormous. To quickly establish ourselves as market leader, we are focusing on the installation of complete eVF solutions for marquee Japanese clients. Initial installations scheduled for February 2003 are critical to our plans for rapid expansion."
