Tokyo, Japan – November 2, 2021 – On November 1, 2021, SenseTime, a leading global artificial intelligence (AI) software company, announced its expansion in Japan as it unveiled a new office building located in SenseTime’s dedicated test course, the AI Autonomous Driving Park, in Joso, Ibaraki Prefecture. The building will accommodate more staff and boost SenseTime’s research and development (R&D) in areas like intelligent automobiles and smart transportation in Japan.

SenseTime’s new office building located in the AI Autonomous Driving Park in Joso, Ibaraki Prefecture

Smart Auto is a major focus area for SenseTime’s global business. In 2019, SenseTime formally unveiled the AI Autonomous Driving Park in Japan as an R&D center and test course for smart automotive technologies including autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). To meet our business expansion need in Japan, the new building will provide an innovative and convenient environment for R&D as well as seamless cooperation with partner companies. Moreover, SenseTime plans to recruit 200 additional R&D talents for its Japan team over the next two years.

Since entering the Japan market in 2016, SenseTime has been committed to developing its proprietary technologies and supporting the local AI ecosystem together with its partners. In 2017, SenseTime signed a long-term strategic development agreement with Honda, Japan’s leading car manufacturer to accelerate R&D in smart auto. Moreover, in March 2020, its subsidiary, SenseTime Japan, was shortlisted as one of the finalists to partner with Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO Central Japan) to upgrade its expressway monitoring system for traffic tracking and analysis across Central Japan. Both achievements demonstrated SenseTime’s leading AI capability and reinforced its effort in developing intelligent automobiles and smart transportation in the country.

Dr Xu Li, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SenseTime Group, said, “Smart and autonomous automobiles is a global and fast-growing industry. We put ourselves at the forefront of this industry’s development by establishing our first international subsidiary in Japan, and continuously expanding our R&D team here. To this end, we launched the new office building in our AI Autonomous Driving Park in Joso to further our R&D efforts, nurture and support more AI talents. This major move highlighted our commitment to expanding our global footprint, and we will continue to work with our partners on developing top-notch, innovative technologies to support Japan’s AI ecosystem.”

Mr. Lao Shihong, CEO of SenseTime Japan at the launching ceremony

Mr. Lao Shihong, CEO of SenseTime Japan said, “SenseTime Japan has been focusing on developing its intelligent automobiles and smart transportation businesses in the past five years. Our new office building in Joso represents our stellar growth and promising future in the market. It is also a testament to our commitment in creating new employment opportunities for the AI industry here in Japan. We hope our modern building will bring a versatile, innovative, and productive environment to our partners, employees, and future talents.”

The first floor of the new office building incorporates car parks that can accommodate 4 test vehicles. SenseTime also implemented its own AI-powered smart office products, such as the SensePass smart entry system, as well as its intelligent temperature screening device, SenseThunder, to provide contactless, hassle-free entries for employees.