Guardforce AI is opening new offices in Tokyo and San Francisco as it moves to boost its presence in those markets. 

The robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) company will bring its product range of food delivery robots, as well as disinfection and reception service bots to these areas for hospitality use in restaurants, shopping centers and hotels. 

Guardforce AI chairman, Terence Yap, said these markets hold significant opportunities for the group’s pipeline of robotics. 

“With increasing labor costs and the aging population, in Japan alone automated robotic services are expected to double from 2020 to 2026,” said Yap. “In addition, San Francisco is a well-known tech hub with high-quality technology engineers and renowned technology research centers, making it the perfect location to set up our RaaS operations to attract talent and build a comprehensive technology ecosystem surrounding our RaaS solutions.” 

The news also comes as part of Guardforce AI’s wider expansion push. The company recently signed a supplemental letter of intent with Shenzhen Kewei Robot Technology to acquire 12 robotics RaaS companies located throughout China. 

The 12 companies are located in key economic areas across northeast, northwest, central and southwest China, and are valued at $18 million.

Speaking on this expansion, Yap said the group had set its sights on the Chinese market due to the growing demand for contactless robotic services in the wake of the pandemic, as well as rising customer demand for operational efficiency.