ORIX to Begin Offering EVE AI-equipped Automated Transport Robots as Part of its Free Logistics Robot Rental Service

TOKYO, Japan – August 3, 2018 – ORIX Corporation (“ORIX”) and ORIX Rentec Corporation (“ORIX Rentec”), announced that they will begin offering rentals of the EVE AI-equipped automated transport robot (the “EVE Picking Robot”) developed by Geek+ Inc., which allows for automation of certain shelving and picking work.

Since May 2018, ORIX and ORIX Rentec have offered tenants of logistics facilities developed by ORIX free, six-month rentals of logistics robots. In response to strong tenant demand, that service will now include the EVE Picking Robot, increasing to seven the number of manufacturers whose robots are available for rent, with eight models to choose from.

Until now, shelving and picking of stock has always been done manually, raising issues of the physical load on workers and poor work efficiency. Deployment of the EVE Picking Robot, which can crawl under dedicated stock shelves and automatically move the shelves to the work station where the worker is waiting, can be expected to reduce the load on workers. In addition, its energy-saving design allows the robot to operate for up to ten hours on a 30-minute charge, improving work efficiency by approximately three times compared to manual labor.*

As the e-commerce market in Japan continues to expand year by year, securing adequate human resources and improving productivity have become issues, and the deployment of logistics robots is gathering increasing interest.

ORIX and ORIX Rentec will continue taking advantage of ORIX Group’s comprehensive capabilities to offer services that respond to industry trends and meet the demands of their customers.

*Orix Rentec research.

■Energy-saving Set-up
Which shelves to retrieve stock from and other information is clearly displayed on a workstation monitor according to the type of work being done—receiving, shipping or inventory. The worker simply follows the instructions on the display, removing stock from the shelves and placing the required quantity in the space with the flashing LED light. The system controlling the EVE Picking Robot analyzes the accumulated data on product deliveries and shipments, making it possible to constantly optimize layouts by automatically repositioning the shelves so that those holding frequently shipped products are positioned closer to the worker.

LEDインディケーター＝LED indicator
スキャナー＝Scanner
ディスプレイ＝Display
梱包箱＝Packing boxes
ラック＝Rack
搬送ロボット＝Automated Transport robot

■Free Logistics Robot Rental Service
This is a joint service of ORIX, which has worked on developing logistics facilities since 2002, and ORIX Rentec, which introduced its “RoboRen” robot rental service in 2016. It offers eight models of robots from seven manufacturers, primarily automated transport robots that support logistics operations. Tenants can select the type of robot for their particular application, and can use the robots for six months free of charge, including any system development costs needed for deployment. ORIX and ORIX Rentec will also offer packages with information on effective use of tenant space, as well as detailed information on robot use and an efficiency simulation. Capital investment aimed at automation normally requires a significant initial outlay, and this service makes system development and other aspects of deploying the technology easier for the tenant.

■Target Facilities*

*Target facilities are scheduled to be updated as development progresses.

■Target Equipment

Contact Information:
ORIX Corporation
Corporate Planning Department
Tel: +81-3-3435-3121

About ORIX:
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is an opportunistic, diversified, innovation-driven global powerhouse with a proven track record of profitability. Established in 1964, ORIX at present operates a diverse portfolio of businesses in the operations, financial services, and investment spaces. ORIX’s highly complementary business activities span industries including: energy, private equity, infrastructure, automotive, ship and aircraft, real estate and retail financial services. ORIX has also spread its business globally by establishing locations in a total of 38 countries and regions across the world. Through its business activities, ORIX has long been committed to corporate citizenship and environmental sustainability. For more details, please visit our website: https://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/
(As of March 31, 2018)

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements:
These documents may contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under “(4) Risk Factors” of the “1. Summary of Consolidated Financial Results” of the “Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018.”