Mitsubishi to develop humanoid robots to assist in car manufacturing

Mitsubishi has signed a cooperation agreement with a technology start-up to develop humanoid robots to assist in building cars at its factories. The company is partnering with Highlanders, a start-up originating from the University of Tokyo, to build robots designed to tackle Japan’s labour shortage. Mitsubishi aims to begin mass production of the robots at its Kyoto plant as early as next year. “We aim to build a new industrial foundation where humans and robots work together,” said Mitsubishi Motors CEO Kato Takao. Mitsubishi has invested in Highlanders but has not disclosed the investment amount or its shareholding in the start-up. Rather than purchasing machines from external suppliers, as BMW has done in the United States, Mitsubishi intends to develop the robots jointly with Highlanders and assemble them itself. The company plans to utilise vacant buildings at its Kyoto plant for the development and assembly of the robots, targeting a production capacity of up to 1,000 units per month. The AI-equipped robots will initially be used for tasks such as transporting components and assembling engines. If they perform well, the company will consider selling the robots to other manufacturers. “Our collaboration with Highlanders is a challenge aimed at building a new industrial foundation where humans and robots work together,” Kato Takao said. He added that the collaboration provides Mitsubishi Motors with a valuable opportunity to deepen its technological and business expertise in the field of humanoid robotics. By utilising humanoid robots in its own manufacturing facilities and supporting the production of Highlanders’ products, the company aims to leverage the results of this collaboration to drive its growth and enhance corporate value. He noted that the existing supply chain in the automotive industry can support the development of robots, pointing to various tasks on the production line, from welding to logistics, as evidence of the “great potential” available in the future.