Zenmov was selected as a participant in the second phase of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's startup support project contributing to solving social issues in emerging markets , “GlobalXpander Tokyo.”

Zenmov Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Sumio Tanaka) is pleased to announce that it has been selected for “GlobalXpander Tokyo” (hereinafter, “this program”), an overseas expansion support initiative organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to assist startups working to address social issues in emerging markets.

Second Cohort Selected Companies (In Japanese)

List of Selected Companies｜GlobalXpander Tokyo Tokyo

■ About “GlobalXpander Tokyo,” the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s initiative, “Startup Support Project Contributing to Solving Social Issues in Emerging Markets.”

GlobalXpander Tokyo is a program designed to support the overseas expansion of Tokyo-based startups and address social issues in emerging markets.

This program provides support for startups that plan to expand their business into emerging markets and intend to launch overseas operations in the near future. This includes assistance with pre-expansion planning, conducting Proof of Concept (PoC), and continuous hands-on support offered by the program’s administrative office.

In the second phase, Zenmov Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Sumio Tanaka) was selected from a large pool of applicants.

■Overview of the Product / Service and the Feasibility Study

Under this program, Zenmov will conduct a study and feasibility validation in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to address　 local traffic challenges using SMOC, our AI-powered traffic management system.

- Background and Challenges

1. Public Transportation Challenges

In Kota Kinabalu, the largest city in Sabah state, Malaysia, traffic congestion occurs daily. According to a 2024 survey, delays of up to 90 minutes have been reported. Local public transportation, including regular buses and minibuses, is commonly used for commuting. However, inefficiencies in bus services— such as failure to adhere to schedules or routes—combined with congestion and the increasing ownership of private vehicles, have led to a decline in public transportation usage. As a result, it is reported that only 20% of commuters use public transportation, while 80% rely on private cars.

2. Logistics Challenges

Kota Kinabalu City serves as a major hub for trade, with its container ports and industrial zones functioning as critical nodes for international commerce. However, the increased movement of large vehicles contributes significantly to traffic congestion. This logistics-related congestion also impacts the efficiency of public transportation.

3. Tourism-Related Transportation Challenges

Public transportation to tourist destinations is underdeveloped. Moreover, traffic congestion has been reported to reduce the number of repeat visitors. According to one survey, 42% of foreign tourists found it difficult to use public transportation in Sabah. The main reasons cited include unclear information on bus routes, schedules, and stops.

Given these traffic challenges, there is a growing expectation for optimized routing technologies. By leveraging our smart mobility platform, Zenmov aims to improve public transportation and logistics through initiatives such as the visualization of traffic congestion, enhancement of public transportation services, traffic flow distribution via optimized routing, and support for transportation policy improvements.

- Product/Service Overview

SMOC (Smart Mobility Operation Cloud)

SMOC is a cloud platform that integrates traffic visualization, AI-powered demand forecasting and simulation, route and schedule optimization, real-time monitoring, and data analysis. It provides end-to-end support from route planning to field operations and performance evaluation. The platform consists of a passenger app, driver app, operator app, and cloud server, and is designed not only to improve the efficiency of public and commercial vehicles but also to support urban transportation development for smart cities. It can be applied to a wide range of areas such as car-sharing, delivery services, and maintenance inspections. SMOC also supports multi-mobility solutions integrated with electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and bicycles, as well as traffic information collection through smart poles and drones. Furthermore, the platform leverages digital twin technology to enable simulation-based evaluation and the development of new services.

SMOC: https://zenmov.com/smoc

SMOC Video: https://youtu.be/-48zKfAh5Fw?si=kY3z25Zx2idtmB3G

Edge AI Solutions: https://zenmov.com/edge-ai

- Research and Demonstration Plan

Period:　From October 2025 to September 2026

Content:

・Identify transportation challenges, needs for smart mobility solutions, and competitive

・Understand contexts of traffic congestion through on-site observation

・Conduct a small scale proof of concept with edge AI solutions and simulations by SMOC

■ Future Outlook

Through this project, Zenmov aims to advance its business expansion in Sabah State and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. In addition to scaling across Malaysia, Zenmov also plans to explore business opportunities across the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area),with a view toward regional growth and collaboration.

Company Overview

Zenmov Inc.

Address: Level 7, Arco Tower, 1-8-1 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Representative: Sumio Tanaka, President and CEO

Zenmov Inc. is a Japanese company that develops and provides IT solutions to realize smart mobility. Zenmov delivers software and consulting services that enable “demand forecasting and simulation” and “supply-side optimization” in cities, implementing projects across Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.

Contact :

Zenmov Inc.

Public Relations: Sasakawa

Email: pr@zenmov.com

Website: https://zenmov.com