#Japan #Sapporo #Smart Delivery #Linough #Kouseisha

Kouseisha and Linough Launch a Smart Delivery Pilot in Sapporo

In an innovative collaboration, Kouseisha Inc., a prominent cleaning company based in Sapporo, and Linough Inc., a technology firm headquartered in Tokyo, have initiated a three-month pilot project starting June 1, 2026. This pilot aims to implement Linough’s smart delivery service for Kouseisha's established cleaning service, "Mottette", across selected properties in Sapporo. The focus is to enhance convenience by allowing users to have their cleaning items picked up and dropped off even when they are not home, especially in auto-locked buildings.

Pilot Project Overview

As part of the trial, when a user orders cleaning via "Mottette", Kouseisha delivery personnel will utilize Linough’s smart delivery system to temporarily unlock common entryways of the buildings. This facility enables the collection and drop-off of cleaning items at users’ specified locations, even in their absence.

• - Duration: June 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026
• - Target Area: This service will cover 232 auto-locked buildings in Sapporo under Kouseisha’s four delivery offices (Toyohira, Chuo, Shiroishi, and Nishi).

Background and Objectives

The aim is twofold:

1. Convenience for Seasonal Cleaning: The demand for cleaning services skyrockets in Sapporo during the spring to pre-summer period, particularly for bedding and outerwear. June's demand notably surpasses the national average. Historically, users in auto-locked buildings have faced the inconvenience of needing to be home to unlock the entrance for pickups and deliveries. The introduction of the smart delivery system alleviates this hassle, enhancing user satisfaction by allowing them to send items for cleaning without worrying about being present.

2. Sustainable Delivery Solutions: By ensuring efficient pickups and drop-offs in a single visit, the project aims to improve delivery efficiency while contributing to sustainable logistics. As issues like labor shortages and increased CO2 emissions from repeated deliveries continue to challenge the logistics sector, the smart delivery system presents an opportunity to develop more sustainable home-delivery services.

Comments from Company Executives

Tomokazu Takie, President of Kouseisha: "Starting this smart delivery pilot allows us to overcome the barriers of auto-locked entryways. This seamless delivery infrastructure will provide great value to our community by reducing the hassle and time involved for users. Initially, we aim to enrich the lifestyles of residents across 232 buildings in Sapporo."

Kiyoshi Takizawa, President of Linough: "At Linough, we pursue creating new value in real estate through IoT technology. While our smart delivery system has primarily focused on parcel deliveries, applying it to cleaning collection expands our services' potential. Through this pilot, we will establish a sustainable model that maximizes delivery efficiency and enhances user experience, allowing Sapporo residents to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle without time constraints."

About Kouseisha’s "Mottette"

"Mottette" is a delivery cleaning service operated by Kouseisha, which has a widespread presence in Hokkaido. The service allows for seamless online ordering and payment, enabling non-contact collection and delivery of cleaning items at designated locations.

About Linough’s "Smart Delivery"

"Smart Delivery" utilizes the digital smart lock, "Ninja Entrance", to grant entry to authorized delivery personnel at auto-locked building entrances. This allows them to temporarily unlock these entrances and deliver to specified locations without compromising security, with all unlock histories recorded. There are about 20,000 buildings across Japan currently utilizing this service.

About Kouseisha

Founded on the principle of delivering clean and comfortable services, Kouseisha is well-regarded in Hokkaido for its diverse cleaning offerings, including residential, corporate, and linen supply for hotels. Established in 1966, the company aims to contribute to community development through high-quality services and an extensive delivery network.

About Linough

Founded in 2014, Linough aims to improve living conditions by developing solutions that enhance the efficiency of property management and user experience in real estate. They focus on innovative systems like smart locks and smart delivery services responding to challenges such as repetitive delivery issues in auto-locked buildings.