HiBot: robotics company

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Regional ecosystem

HiBot is one of 125 verified robotics companies in Japan →

Key facts

Robot

Pipe-inspection robots including the THESBOT family and SQUID

Technology

THESBOT-Dual is a semi-autonomous inspection robot

Capabilities

Robots can climb vertical pipes and navigate complex bends and T-joints

Origin

Spun out from Tokyo Tech

CEO

Michele Guarnieri

Product

Float Arm and other infrastructure inspection robots

Customers

BASF, Vinçotte

Data & sources

Web sources

1

1 source backing this record.View all →

Models (1)

View all models →

Current platform

THESBOT-Dual

HiBot's THESBOT-Dual is a semi-autonomous pipe-inspection robot whose dual-traction concept lets it move through pipes with complex geometries - consecutive bends, vertical sections, and over weld beads - transmitting real-time video and sensor data.

otherView model →

HiBot on the deployment map

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HiBot has no verified deployments on the DEPLOY registry yet. Explore the deployment map by place and type.

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The global deployment map →

No verified deployments for HiBot on the DEPLOY record yet. Track HiBot to know the moment the first one is verified.

Current leadership (3)

Michele Guarnieri Co-Founder & CEOsince 2004-01-01secondary-verified
Shigeo Hirose Co-Founder & Directorsince 2004-01-01secondary-verified
Paulo Debenest Co-Foundersince 2004-01-01secondary-verified

Founders (3)

Michele Guarniericofounderfounded 2004-01-01
Shigeo Hirosecofounderfounded 2004-01-01
Paulo Debenestcofounderfounded 2004-01-01

See all founders across the registry →

Safety record

No incidents on record for HiBot.

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Full safety record: incidents, sourcing, and exposure data →

Recent coverage

HiBot in third-party press

Bombyx is being licensed for product development - Engineering at Meta

May 22, 2023

HiBot Demos New Amphibious Snake Robot - IEEE Spectrum

Jul 30, 2021

Smart floating arms - The Robot Report

May 3, 2021

Peer companies

Roborock20 models
DJI7 models
Boston Dynamics5 models
Robotphoenix5 models
Earendil Robotics4 models
AstroForge3 models

Financial state

Reporting basis: private_reported
Lifecycle stage: growth
Counterparty risk class: moderate

Each numeric field carries its own basis marker. Aggregators report a number; this surface preserves the source class so verification depth travels with the value.

Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

Record createdJun 24, 2026
Added to the verified registry

Full change history →

Sources (1)

https://hibot.co.jp/

Common questions

What is HiBot?

HiBot is a Japanese robotics company developing snake-like robots for inspection in confined and hazardous spaces, including pipe inspection and nuclear facility monitoring.

What does HiBot make?

HiBot has 1 robot model on the DEPLOY registry: THESBOT-Dual (HiBot builds both physical robots and the AI that runs them).

Who competes with HiBot?

On the DEPLOY registry, peer companies to HiBot building in the same form factors include Roborock, DJI, Boston Dynamics, Robotphoenix.

Who is the CEO of HiBot?

Michele Guarnieri is the ceo of HiBot, per the DEPLOY registry.

Where is HiBot headquartered?

HiBot is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Where does HiBot operate robots?

HiBot is a robot manufacturer and does not directly operate deployments on the DEPLOY registry. Its products are deployed by customer operators; see the company page for the verified deployment record.

Is HiBot a top robotics company?

On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, funding, hiring, media, safety, and IP signals, HiBot ranks in roughly the top 98% of companies tracked by the registry.

Is HiBot safe?

HiBot has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.

Methodology: Verified · 1 source (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-08-05

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-08-05

Sources by quality tier

1: unclassified; Unclassified source

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Peer companies

Roborock20 models
DJI7 models
Boston Dynamics5 models
Robotphoenix5 models
Earendil Robotics4 models
AstroForge3 models

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Machine-readable surfaces

Markdown mirror: /companies/hibot.md
RSS feed: /companies/hibot/feed.xml
JSON-LD: embedded in this page’s head
REST API: /v1/companies/343c649c-458d-4cde-ab29-07b2690892a6
Revision history: /companies/hibot/history
Data documentation: /data
Query this programmatically: Deploy MCP

Peer companies

Roborock20 models
DJI7 models
Boston Dynamics5 models
Robotphoenix5 models
Earendil Robotics4 models
AstroForge3 models

Reality vs attention

HiBot draws attention at the 6th percentile but verifies reality at the insufficient-data level among other robots.

RealityInsufficient datanot enough verified signal yet

Attention6thpctilemedia + video vs other robots

Compared to other robots →

6-month trend

Peer rankingTop 98% of Other

vs funding peers-36.2 ptsbelow funding-adj. expected

Open the Hype Gap chart →

Analysis

Limited public funding data for capital position assessment.

Dimension breakdown

Verified signal

Insufficient data

12.08.0LOW

Insufficient data

Insufficient data

Insufficient data

Attention (reach, not merit)

Market Presence →

9.19.1MED

DEPLOY Intelligence scores are computed from verified registry data: confirmed deployments, disclosed funding rounds, regulatory filings, active job listings, video viewership, and press coverage. Confidence ratings reflect data availability. Scores update nightly.

DEPLOY Indices — verified vs claimed

Claim Integrity Fleet Reality Operator Repeat All indices

Last computed: Aug 18, 2026

Methodology Intelligence layer