The Sankei Shimbun 
Members of the Space Development Cooperative SOHLA hold a prototype of the small robot Maido-2 at an exhibition. December 7, 2024, Kita Ward, Osaka (©Sankei by Hiroaki Nishikawa).
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Higashi-Osaka is a city renowned for its manufacturing. Here, a group of small factories banded together to develop the small satellite Maido-1, successfully launching it in 2009. Aiming to replicate their past success, they have commenced development of Maido-2. This time, their focus is on a lunar surface robot. In December 2024, they unveiled a prototype, with plans to send it to the moon within the next decade.
From December 7-8, 2024, Monodzukuri Business Center Osaka (MOBIO) held a trial exhibition at the Grand Front Osaka. The event showcased products by local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) planning to exhibit at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Among the highlights was a small robot prototype designed to hop across the lunar surface.
Bringing a Concept to Life
Named Maido-2, the robot was developed by SOHLA, an organization composed of SME managers in Osaka Prefecture. Many know SOHLA as the creators behind the small satellite Maido-1.
Maido-2 is built with shape-memory alloy (SMA) and features a spring-based leg structure. This enables it to hop across the lunar surface while capturing images and collecting data.
"We've finally reached the point where we can bring this concept to life," said Masato Tanaka, SOHLA's vice chairman. Tanaka is also president of Heian Manufacturing (Kashiwara City, Osaka), which is responsible for the robot's metal processing.
Disappointingly, during the prototype's debut, mechanical issues hindered its ability to demonstrate the hopping movement. Nevertheless, Tanaka expressed his determination to refine the design, stating, "We aim to enhance its functionality and improve its overall performance."
Maido-1's successful launch aboard JAXA's H2A rocket in 2009 inspired struggling SMEs amidst economic stagnation, showcasing Japan's small businesses' advanced technical capabilities through breathtaking images of Earth. In 2010, the project entered its second phase, focused on developing a robot capable of performing tasks on the moon.
Originally conceived as a humanoid robot, the design evolved into a hopping lunar exploration robot through collaboration with JAXA and joint research with various universities.
The project has since garnered support from major local companies. One is Kanadevia (formerly Hitachi Zosen), which is developing all-solid-state batteries to power the robot.
An Opportunity
SOHLA aims to land Maido-2 on the lunar surface within the next decade, though securing the necessary funding remains a major challenge. Costs are estimated to reach billions of yen.
The 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo presents a key opportunity to showcase the project and garner support. Maido-2 will appear at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion's Reborn Challenge from July 8 to 14.
Hideyuki Tanahashi is SOHLA's executive director and president of Tanahashi Electric in Joto Ward, Osaka. His company specializes in control panel design and manufacturing. Sharing his aspirations for the expo, he said: "We aim to use this opportunity to expand our network of collaborators both in Japan and internationally."
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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