GITAI’s Lunar base construction demonstration. Photo: GITAI

Japanese space robotics startup GITAI has raised $30 million in a Series B extension round, the company announced May 25. GITAI is headquartered in Japan and has a U.S. subsidiary. Existing investors primarily contributed to the round. 

The company plans to use the funds to enhance the technology readiness level of its Lunar Robotic Rover and Lunar Inchworm Type Robotic Arm. GITAI recently successfully demonstrated the rover and robotic arm in a simulated lunar environment in a desert, showing the ability to excavate, install solar panels, and weld a panel. 

It also plans to expand its facilities in the U.S. for engineering model/flight model manufacturing and expand employment in the U.S. Last year, GITAI opened a U.S. office in Torrance, California.

The company is focused on building robots that can perform labor in space on the Moon and Mars.

“We are thrilled to further expand our operations in the U.S.,” said Sho Nakanose, GITAI’s founder and CEO. “While SpaceX and BlueOrigin are reducing the cost of transportation to space by 100 times, we at GITAI are taking on the challenge of reducing labor costs by 100 times. We will provide the most labor for the Moon and Mars and build infrastructure such as solar panels, communication antennas, fuel generators, and habitation modules.”