Nikkei Reports Subaru Testing Bridgestone’s Rubber-Based Stretchable Robotic Hand

The Nikkei reported on September 11, 2026, that Subaru is testing a stretchable robotic hand made of rubber by Bridgestone. The excerpt does not specify the process being tested, the number of units or the test period, though it confirms the involvement of Bridgestone and Subaru.

If Bridgestone’s materials and component technology is used in a robot hand, the case raises the question of how the company can apply its rubber expertise in businesses beyond tires. For Subaru, the significance depends on whether the test is close to replacing work in actual operations or remains at the evaluation stage.

The case is best viewed as an effort to apply Bridgestone’s materials technology to a robot’s end-effector rather than to the robot itself. The success of robot deployment often depends not only on the arm and its controls but also on end-effector specifications, such as how well it conforms to objects being gripped, whether it avoids damage on contact and how often it must be replaced. The use of rubber and a stretch mechanism presumes a flexibility unlike that of rigid mechanical parts, and appears to reflect a different design philosophy from conventional industrial grippers. However, the excerpt from the Nikkei report does not say what task was tested or under what load conditions, so the scope of potential practical use should still be viewed as limited. A related article from this newspaper, Wayve, Uber and Nissan announce robotaxi partnership, plan Tokyo demonstration in second half of 2026 (2026-03-12), focused on autonomous-driving software and operational demonstrations. This case differs in that it concerns improving an end mechanism that makes contact with the physical world, rather than the upstream aspects of a mobility service. In other words, even within the same “physical AI” context, perception and decision-making, on the one hand, and grasping and contact, on the other, are distinct areas of competition. In the latter, materials, wear, resilience and replaceability are likely to become differentiators. Public information does not confirm pricing or mass-production plans, and it is unclear whether the product is intended for external sales, so readers should consult the original source for details. The fact that the Nikkei reported the news on 2026-09-11 indicates that the technology has reached a stage where it could be covered in a public article, but does not in itself mean it is being commercialized. Compared with large software projects such as robotaxi partnerships, component-led implementation is more likely to be tailored to individual applications, and customer evaluation requirements may be stringent. The three points to watch are: 1) which process is using the hand in testing; 2) whether evaluation metrics, such as durability and replacement frequency, are disclosed; and 3) whether it is extended to companies other than Subaru.

In Japan, there is demand at automotive and industrial machinery worksites for end-effectors that are less likely to damage objects being gripped, potentially creating an opening for materials companies such as Bridgestone. However, with no information on mass production or standardization, the technology may remain limited to testing in individual projects.