#Japan #Tokyo #Underwater Drone #MizLinx #NEDO Challenge

MizLinx Triumphs at NEDO Challenge

MizLinx, a Tokyo-based company led by CEO Naho Nojima, has secured victory in the first competition of the "NEDO Challenge for BLUE ECONOMY", orchestrated by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). This contest ran from May 11 to May 15, 2026, at the Hirazawa Marine Center in Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Competition Overview

The NEDO Challenge for BLUE ECONOMY is a program designed to foster innovative underwater measurement and observation technologies. The initiative primarily addresses significant challenges faced by oceans, including climate change exacerbated by global warming and the prevention of invasive species spread through maritime means. The program attracted numerous participants from various sectors, including businesses, organizations, and universities, all equipped with cutting-edge technologies like underwater robotics, sensing, and AI. Participants competed across five categories, including "algae assessment technology" and "ship hull mapping and condition assessment".

Winning Proposal and Award

MizLinx clinched first place in Category 5, which focused on ship hull mapping and condition assessment, during the competition held on May 15, 2026. Their winning proposal was titled "Development of a Ship Hull Inspection Robot Capable of Operating in Constricted Environments". The contest required teams to measure a submerged steel plate (3m x 3m at a depth of 3m) using underwater robots, specifically mapping the presence or absence of biofilm—a phenomenon where microorganisms form a slimy layer, known as microfouling, on surfaces underwater. The MizLinx UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle), developed by the company for this competition, showcased remarkable navigational stability even in confined spaces, combined with AI technology that accurately identifies minute residues.

Statement from MizLinx

Kazuki Ishikawa, a director at MizLinx, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "We are honored to receive this award for our contributions towards decarbonization and automation in the marine industry. Moving forward, MizLinx will continue to push the boundaries of underwater robotics, IoT, and AI technologies to enhance our societal implementations."

Technology Used

The key features of MizLinx's hull inspection robot system employed in the competition are as follows:

• - Mobility and Positioning: Utilization of Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and Doppler Velocity Logs (DVL), alongside acoustic sonar to ensure stable navigation even amid waves and currents.
• - Close-up Imaging and Lighting: High-sensitivity cameras paired with LED lighting enable the acquisition of clear images from distances of 0.5 to 4m from the ship hull. Their proprietary underwater image enhancement technology enables high-quality imaging even in low-light and turbid water conditions.
• - AI Analysis: With an exclusive AI model, the system automates the detection of microfouling, facilitating the identification of minute residues from ship hull images.

Future Directions

Buoyed by this recognition, MizLinx plans to further propel the development of its underwater robot system dedicated to ship hull inspections. It aims to enhance efficiency and reduce human labor associated with traditional underwater inspections typically conducted by divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Subsequent efforts will focus on practical applications within the maritime industry.

Company Overview

Established on August 18, 2021, MizLinx is located in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. The company specializes in the development and provision of marine monitoring systems, underwater robotics, and offers contract development, consulting, and collaborative research. Its flagship products include the marine monitoring system "MizLinx Monitor" and the underwater robot "MizLinx UUV".

For more information, visit MizLinx's website.

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MizLinx
PR Contact: Sasaki
Email: [email protected]