"Every Bolt Has a Voice" — Inside the Vision of TOKBO, the IoT Start-up Reinventing Infrastructure Monitoring

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 has just concluded, once again establishing as a key stage for global innovation. Among the standout participants this year was TOKBO, an Italian deep tech startup that is transforming how we think about infrastructure monitoring. Their mission? To elevate the bolt—one of the most overlooked components in engineering—to a central role in structural safety and predictive maintenance.

TOKBO’s cutting-edge IoT monitoring solution turns traditional bolted joints into intelligent sentinels capable of communicating real-time data on structural integrity. By combining sensor technology with AI-driven analytics, TOKBO enables infrastructure owners and operators to detect issues before they become critical, extending the lifespan of structures and improving safety across sectors.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Ivan Moroni, CEO, and Matteo Villa, CTO—the minds behind TOKBO’s creation, development, and core vision. With our support, they participated in SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 to explore new opportunities and expand their presence in the Japanese market. In our interview, they shared insights into their technology, the challenges they’ve overcome, and their vision for a smarter, safer future in infrastructure.

Your technology is centered around bolted joints—one of the simplest, yet most essential, components in a structure. How exactly does TOKBO turn a bolt into a smart monitoring device?

Close-up of Tokbo’s advanced bolt technology

Matteo: TOKBO provides a 360-degree monitoring service that focuses attention on bolted joints, or rather on the simplest and least noticed structural component: the bolt.

We can sensorize any type of bolted joint, with an applicability that goes from M12 and lengths up to 2000 mm. . Our sensors are easily installed at strategic or critical points in the structure. Through ultrasound technology and specific electronic components, TOKBO stands out for its ability to monitor not only the clamping force, but also temperature, vibration, acceleration and inclination. The system acquires and monitors parameters in real time at adjustable intervals, sending the data to the TOKBO cloud platform for analysis and visualization. The platform provides customizable diagnostics and activates automatic alerts via email and SMS when predefined thresholds are exceeded, signaling the need for inspection and maintenance. 

But our service doesn’t end here: a team of specialized technicians supports the customer in reading and understanding the data. Through open collaboration with the client that begins with the inspection of the structure and continues throughout its entire life cycle, our aim is to extend the useful life of the infrastructure or industrial structure and to avoid potentially critical situations.

What makes your "Intelligent Talking Bolt Network" a game-changer for predictive maintenance?

Matteo: We are able to enable predictive maintenance and support safety compliance thanks to our innovative proprietary technology, based on artificial intelligence algorithms: through predictive models, we are able to calculate the possible onset of damage before it occurs. In this way, it is possible to schedule targeted and timely maintenance interventions. This has obvious repercussions not only in terms of efficiency and cost reduction, but also and especially in increasing the safety of the users of the facility we monitor.

Integrating deep tech into something as mechanical as a bolt sounds like a tall order. What were the biggest hurdles in this journey?

Matteo Villa, Chief Technology Officer at Tokbo

Matteo: Our consolidated experience within the Agrati Group, a leading multinational in fastening solutions for the automotive sector, had already guided us toward the key idea behind the TOKBO solution: exploiting the unique characteristics of bolts, including their conductivity and elastic response to tightening, for something more than simply fastening a joint—namely becoming a sentinel capable of communicating the health status of that joint.

Developing a solution capable of fulfilling this task in a simple, effective, and reliable manner, however, was much more complex. From the development of micro-electronic components, to the decision to transmit data via CAN bus in order to avoid data pollution from external interference, to the choice of powering the system with electricity (or a mild-wireless solution in case of difficult access to the electrical grid) in order to extend its operation potentially indefinitely, we encountered many challenges, and overcame them all. This was possible thanks to an intensive study and design phase, and thanks to the knowledge and creative mindset of those involved in the project. But we are not stopping there: new solutions are being evaluated and tested for continuous and unstoppable improvement.

Where has TOKBO already made a tangible difference?

Ivan: With more than 50 installations, from railways to subways, cableways, and bridges, as well as from oil & gas valves to cranes, TOKBO has reached a significant experience in the structural monitoring field, representing a qualified partner for predictive maintenance.

Installation of Tokbo on a structural bridge pillar

One interesting example is the cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Salerno for the FREEDAM and DREAMERS Project (for which we earned, together with the university, the Best Design Award at XXIX CTA Congress). The goal was to design connections capable of resisting without damage at seismic events and apply them to what would later become the first building with FREEDAM anti-seismic technology. Our sensors were chosen for the project and played a key role in two important phases of the project. Firstly, in laboratory testing, detecting critical issues in the bolts and identifying new operating conditions using machine learning algorithms. Secondly, in the application phase of the project, managing tightening control and installing sensors for continuous structural monitoring.

Tokbo’s sensor system installed on railway bridge infrastructure

Another illuminating use case is the installation on a railway bridge over a canal. TOKBO’s system detected a loosening phenomenon (reduction in joint strength) due to a change in water level. This was essential to schedule a maintenance intervention by the infrastructure manager. 

Tokbo setup at a key Italian subway location

Last but not least, our installation on the track switches of an important Italian subway, on which the customer had encountered anomalous breakages. In this case, TOKBO was able to monitor not only the track status, but it also detected an anomaly in the rolling stock.

What stood out to you about SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025? What made the experience valuable?

Ivan Moroni, CEO of Tokbo

Ivan: First of all, we recognize the event's geographical centrality as a strength, being held in the capital of the world's fourth largest economy, Japan, known for its strong economic framework and its strong focus on research and innovation.

What’s more, we appreciated the opportunity that the event gives start-ups like us to showcase their innovation and exchange ideas with each other, in a cooperative spirit aimed at improving the urban environment in terms of innovation and sustainability.

For us, SusHi Tech represented a valuable opportunity to bring our cutting-edge monitoring solution to Japan, where there is a high level of awareness of seismic phenomena and innovation. We were also able to establish links with local contacts relevant to the development of future collaborations.

What kind of interest did you receive at the event?

Ivan: Our booth visitors showed particular interest in the power that a single bolt, through sensorization, can obtain, playing a renewed role as a sentinel that transmits important data for understanding the health of the structure it monitors. Our interesting use cases, especially in the railway and anti-seismic field, have attracted a great deal of interest and sparked discussions about various potential applications in Japan.

Looking ahead, what’s next for TOKBO?

Ivan: Our ultimate challenge is to bring our new approach to security wherever it is needed. The TOKBO team is working hard to expand our target market and geographical coverage.

On the market side, while land transport (railway and subway networks, as well as road and highway ones) is consolidating, our strategy is to develop segments related to cable transport, industrial application, wind power... without setting any limits.

On the geographical side, in addition to our strong presence in Italy, we have recently entered the Korean market, where we are working to gain a foothold. At the same time, we are developing our presence in China and Japan, and reaching the other side of the world in South America, where we intend to expand our monitoring system.

Last but not least—how do IoT, AI, and smart monitoring connect to the future of sustainable, high-tech cities?

Ivan: We can confidently say that IoT, AI and smart monitoring are already playing a pivotal role in advancing structural monitoring for the smart cities of tomorrow. With applications ranging from transport networks to construction, from the sea to the mountains, the TOKBO Monitoring System is a striking example of how combining engineering expertise with cutting-edge monitoring technology can transform collected data into real operational value, supporting urban progress in terms of sustainability and innovation.

Matteo: TOKBO never stops exploring new solutions and new possible applications to demonstrate that every bolted joint can be sensorized, and every sensor can lead to a better understanding of the environment around us. The consequences are manifold, such as in terms of safety, efficiency optimization, resources conservation and extended service life of structures. These aspects are what lead to greater economic and environmental sustainability.

Pioneering the Next Chapter in Structural Monitoring

As our conversation with Ivan and Matteo made clear, TOKBO is more than just a product—it’s a philosophy grounded in the belief that even the smallest components can hold powerful potential when paired with technology and vision.

 TOKBO’s journey from fastening solutions to intelligent monitoring systems represents a new frontier in how we build, maintain, and safeguard the structures that support our daily lives.

With growing applications across transportation, energy, and seismic safety, TOKBO is poised to play a key role in shaping the smart cities of tomorrow. And with strong partnerships and a global outlook—including a firm foothold in the Japanese market—this is just the beginning.

If you’re interested in learning more about TOKBO’s intelligent monitoring systems or exploring potential collaborations, don’t hesitate to reach out and discover how their technology can help future-proof your infrastructure.