OSARO Inc. and INNOTECH CORPORATION, have announced a collaboration to create an innovative demonstration for Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. using AI piece-picking robots. The two companies are jointly providing picking robots and jointly building a system for their introduction into a new factory production line, scheduled for completion in 2022.

OSARO will take the lead in providing AI software to improve the efficiency of robot operations, and INNOTECH will provide support from demonstration testing to integration of the AI software. By automating the picking of bottle products, one of the most labor-intensive tasks in the production process, with robots, the collaboration aims to reduce the workload and improve productivity at the Rohto factory. Rohto produces OTC medicines, beauty products and supplements.

In the eye care category, sales of OTC eye drops account for more than 40% of the Japanese market.