Mitsubishi Electric Embraces Innovative Technologies Whilst Maintaining a Grounded Approach
Mitsubishi Electric Accelerates Digital Transformation and Innovation in the US
Mitsubishi Electric, a global leader in various industries, is making significant strides in the US market by leveraging digital platforms and advanced AI technologies to improve its product offerings and address industry challenges.
The company's innovation center in the US, Mitsubishi Electric Innovation Center (MELIC), announced in Cambridge, Massachusetts in May 2021, is spearheading this digital transformation (DX) and AI integration. The center's primary focus is on accelerating DX and enhancing product development, particularly in manufacturing systems and automotive safety.
To achieve this, MELIC is partnering with AI-driven product lifecycle management (PLM) startup Things, Inc. This partnership aims to improve manufacturing efficiency, usability, scalability, and reduce development time and cost by applying AI to lifecycle management from planning to disposal.
In addition, Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America has launched a pilot program for the Guardian Generation 3 system in collaboration with Seeing Machines. This AI-powered computer vision system is designed to improve vehicle safety, reflecting MELIC's broader goals of integrating AI technologies in automotive product development and safety solutions relevant to North American markets.
The impact of these initiatives is far-reaching. They promise faster and more scalable digital solutions, improved data usability, and expanded safety technologies. These advancements address industry challenges such as labor shortages and skills transfer issues while enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Mitsubishi Electric's US-based segment is not limiting its innovation to its core businesses. One of its star projects is AnyMile, a SaaS platform for aerial logistics, an investment in an emerging market. The company also acquired ICONICS in 2019, primarily a developer of SCADA software, to increase its footprint in the IoT sector.
Historically, Mitsubishi Electric has relied on internal projects for innovation. However, acknowledging the need for external collaboration due to changing market demands, particularly in software development, the company has been actively seeking partnerships and investments. This is evident in its corporate venture capital (CVC) fund formed in partnership with Global Brain Corporation in 2020.
Mitsubishi Electric is investing heavily in US production and sees the United States as a fertile ground for new ideas, influenced by the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley. The company's ventures include venture capital funds, corporate venture capital funds, capstone projects with universities, and public challenges.
In December 2024, Mitsubishi Electric plans to invest $143.5 million in its Maysville, Kentucky, plant to grow its HVAC parts business. In March 2025, the company plans to build a new $86 million plant for Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. in New Galilee, outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
These initiatives underscore Mitsubishi Electric's commitment to expanding its market-responsive products in the US, specifically in manufacturing digitalization and automotive safety technology. While details about the physical location, size, and operational goals of the innovation center are not readily available, the projects and investments clearly reflect the center's strategic focus on AI-driven DX and advanced automotive solutions in the US context.
References: [1] Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. (2021, May 11). Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to Establish the Mitsubishi Electric Innovation Center (MELIC) in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/about/news/2021/0511-pr.html
[2] Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. (2021, August 3). Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Launches Pilot Program for Guardian Generation 3 System with Seeing Machines. Retrieved from https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/about/news/2021/0803-pr.html
Mitsubishi Electric is enhancing its business operations in the US by focusing on digital transformation and AI technologies, particularly in its manufacturing systems and automotive safety sectors. The company's investment in Things, Inc. and the Guardian Generation 3 system with Seeing Machines is a testament to their commitment to leveraging technology for finance-driven innovations.
