Nvidia to support Japan in developing domestic AI infrastructure
Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang said on Thursday (16/7) that his company will help Japan develop domestic artificial intelligence (AI) foundation models by providing AI chips as part of strengthened cooperation with the country’s technology industry.
The US chip giant will work with Noetra Corp., a Japanese government-backed company, to build an AI factory that will provide the computing foundation for developing multimodal foundation models for physical AI—technology enabling robots and other devices to operate autonomously, according to a Kyodo report on Thursday (16/7).
Noetra, established in January by a consortium of 44 Japanese companies including Sony Group Corp., SoftBank Corp., NEC Corp., and Honda Motor Co., began full operations on Thursday with government funding support of 1 trillion yen, approximately Rp110 trillion, over five years.
“Nvidia is honoured to provide computing systems for Japan’s first national AI infrastructure,” Huang said at an event hosted by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Tokyo.
The administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is promoting domestic AI development as one of 17 sectors deemed critical for economic growth and national security. The ministry is targeting the deployment of 10 million AI robots across Japan by 2040.
The ministry’s AI development initiative, named FRONTia, aims to combine Japan’s manufacturing strengths and field technology expertise with advanced AI research and development capabilities from both domestic and international partners, said Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa.
Japan will also collaborate with overseas research institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries on the project.
Toyota is using the site to test everyday life scenarios involving robotics, AI, and autonomous transport.
Nvidia will also cooperate on developing AI-based production robots under the expanded partnership. The two companies have previously worked together on advanced driver assistance technology and vehicle operating systems.
Fujitsu said it will collaborate with Fanuc Corp., Yaskawa Electric Corp., and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. to develop AI-based robots for the manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare sectors by leveraging Nvidia’s technology.
The five-company collaboration is designed to help address labour shortages and offset the declining number of skilled workers.
“I personally hope this collaboration can open a new chapter for robotics and smart manufacturing in Japan,” Huang said at a press conference in Tokyo.