AIONA Inc., a company headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with the recent appointment of Tōru Futami as an advisor. Known for his extensive experience and achievements in EV development, Futami brings with him a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly propel AIONA's mission to support high-quality manufacturing through innovative AI solutions.
With the growing challenges faced by the manufacturing sector, such as the retirement of skilled workers and a lack of experienced personnel, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain design quality standards. Young designers are often overwhelmed by the vast amounts of technical documentation, leading to critical oversights that can jeopardize product quality. The traditional, person-dependent quality management systems that have supported manufacturing firms for decades are reaching their limits. In response to these pressing issues, AIONA is utilizing AI technology to provide manufacturing support solutions and consulting services aimed at improving both efficiency and quality in design and development processes.
Futami’s background is well-aligned with AIONA’s objectives. Having worked for Nissan for 38 years, he developed significant expertise in various areas, including car electronics and the integration of the internet with automotive technologies. His contributions to the Nissan Leaf’s ICT systems and his leadership in autonomous driving technologies showcase his commitment to driving innovation within the automotive space. After leaving Nissan, Futami continued to influence the industry as a fellow at DeNA, where he worked on EV promotion and data science initiatives that underscored the potential transformative power of electric vehicles.
AIONA’s decision to bring Futami on board as an advisor is strategically sound, given his deep understanding of the electronics sector and his experience with practical applications of AI in manufacturing. His input is expected to significantly enhance AIONA’s AI-driven manufacturing support services, ensuring that the company can more effectively address the challenges that the manufacturing industry faces today.
In tandem with Futami’s involvement, AIONA is currently offering a limited beta version of its AI Reviewer tool, which has received considerable interest from the industry. This initiative allows five companies per trial to utilize AI technology for enhancing their design processes, focusing on maximizing their manufacturing knowledge. AIONA is committed to expanding its capabilities in generating technical documentation automatically and broadening AI applications into product planning and design verification tasks.
By integrating practical AI solutions with hands-on consulting services, AIONA aims to create a society where high-quality manufacturing is accessible and efficient for all. The company continues to dedicate itself to technological development and support on the frontline, ensuring that every manufacturer can thrive in an era accelerate by AI innovations.
Tōru Futami: A Brief Profile
Futami graduated from the University of Tokyo, where he studied electronic engineering. He joined Nissan after graduation and played a key role in developing numerous products, including airbags, navigation systems, and telematics. Beginning in 2000, Futami led various technological research strategies at Nissan, focusing on autonomous driving and connected cars. In 2016, he became a fellow at 4R Energy Corporation, where he fostered the V2X system utilizing EVs and promoted EV battery recycling businesses. Since 2019, as a fellow at DeNA, he laid the groundwork for EV proliferation, culminating in the founding of MobiSavi in 2025.
Company Overview
AIONA Inc. is led by CEO Tomoyuki Asano and was established on October 10, 2024. Located on the 2nd floor of the Shibuya Tokyu Building, the firm aims to revolutionize the manufacturing sector with AI-driven solutions.
For more information, visit
AIONA's website and
MobiSavi's website.