Startupbootcamp Osaka 2020: Indoor mapping sheds light to mobility issues in major cities

April 12, 2020

We are beyond excited to announce that in October 2019, Mapxus was selected to be part of the first batch of the Startupbootcamp Acceleration program in Osaka. With Smart Cities and Living as the theme for this cohort, we were stoked to have met many talented startups from Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Israel, which we discussed how indoor mapping solutions play a pivotal role in developing smarter cities.

While sophisticated underground buildings and metro systems are most frequented by Japanese citizens living in the city, to move from one building to another often requires one to rely on way finding signs or asking for directions, whether for a tourist, partially impaired, or even locals.

During our time in Startupbootcamp Osaka, we had the opportunity to collaborate with leading railway operators, Hankyu and JR West Innovations, on assembling the indoor digital map and navigation system for Osaka Railway Station, Hankyu Smart Office and Kyoto Railway Museum.

At Mapxus, we share a vision in achieving a safer, smarter, and more efficient way for people to get around the city indoors, where the answer lies in indoor mapping. Indoor geographical data equips the user with an overview to the environment, while indoor positioning and navigation help to remove the friction in our day-to-day way finding experience from point A to B.

In the near future, we are excited to embark on this journey through aligning our vision to Japan's Society 5.0 — enabling barrier-free city navigation experience for all, as well as promoting quality mobility for people with disabilities.

About Startupbootcamp

Founded in 2010, Startupbootcamp is a global network of innovation programs with locations in many key strategic hubs around the world. They run over 20 accelerators every year providing growth-stage startups with direct access to an international network of the most relevant mentors, partners, and investors in their industry.

About Startupbootcamp Scale Osaka

SBC Scale Osaka is a leading innovation program, focused on growing the Smart City sector in Osaka. As part of the Rainmaking group, a global venture builder and creator of Startupbootcamp, the program provides international scaleups the opportunity to expand in Japan and to increase revenues and funding opportunities.

For more information about SBC Scale Osaka, please contact osaka@startupbootcamp.org.