Physical AI & robotics news
- · Product launches
Kawasaki Heavy Industries completes prototype of Home LEO social robot, plans market launch in fiscal 2028
Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced Oct. 6 that it had built a prototype of Home LEO, a social robot for the health care sector. The robot uses physical AI to perceive its surroundings, make decisions and act autonomously, with the aim of supporting older adults living at home. The company plans to launch it in fiscal 2028 and outlined a concept linking medical care, nursing care and home life.
- · Funding
Minerva Humanoids Raises About $10 Million to Develop Humanoid Robots for Hazardous Work
Minerva Humanoids raised about $10 million in pre-seed funding and emerged from stealth. The round was led by General Catalyst and co-led by Long Journey Ventures and Credo Ventures, with several other investors participating. The company will launch its first paid pilot, centered on its semi-autonomous humanoid robot “Roger,” for hazardous industrial work.
- · Industry
Briefing in Shanghai on GDPS and International Embodied Intelligence Skills Competition
A media briefing for the 2026 Global Developer Pioneers Summit and International Embodied Intelligence Skills Competition was held Sept. 29 at Zhangjiang Moli Community in Shanghai.
- · Research & technology
UCLA and Other Researchers Unveil 185-Milligram Flying Robot
In a study published Sept. 30 in the U.S. journal Science Robotics, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the University of California, Davis, demonstrated an 185-milligram, all-polymer micro flying robot.
- · Industry
Nikkei xTECH Publishes Article on Physical AI
Nikkei xTECH published an article titled “Physical AI: Japan’s Homegrown Robots at a Critical Juncture.”
- · Partnerships & M&A
Hitachi and FANUC Partner on Physical AI, Aim for Practical Use Next Fiscal Year, NHK Reports
NHK reported on Oct. 7 that Hitachi, Ltd. and FANUC have partnered in the physical AI field and aim to put the technology into practical use next fiscal year. The report described the partnership as part of a series of collaborations among major companies in a field where AI autonomously makes decisions and operates robots and other equipment. NHK provided limited details on the partnership’s terms and development plans; readers should consult the original report for more information.
- · Product launches
Kawasaki Heavy Industries unveils shipbuilding robot for first time, plans practical deployment in 2028
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled for the first time a shipbuilding robot under development. The robot moves along a ship’s side on four legs and is designed for welding and painting. The company plans to conduct a demonstration next year at its Sakaide Works in Kagawa Prefecture, with practical deployment planned for 2028.
- · Research & technology
Aigen trains solar-powered agricultural robots for new crops in less than a week
Robotics and Automation News reported that Aigen has developed a simulation and world-model system to adapt to new crops.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Panasonic Holdings to partner with startups on physical AI; new facility planned for FY2027
Nikkei reported that Panasonic Holdings will partner with startups and others on physical AI. The company plans to establish a new facility in FY2027. The company was previously reported to have plans to develop humanoid robots by 2029, making the continuation of related investment a focus.
- · Industry
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Reportedly Shifting to Robotics, Bringing Physical AI Into All Businesses
The Nikkei reported Oct. 6 that Kawasaki Heavy Industries plans to “transform into a robotics company” and incorporate physical AI into all of its businesses. The report is the primary source; it gives no specific technical details or implementation conditions. As we have previously reported, the company has also been moving to broaden its business focus around robotics and physical AI.
- · Policy & regulation
AWL Selected for Go-Tech Program
AWL Inc. announced that it was selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Small and Medium Enterprise Agency’s Go-Tech program.
- · Deployment & production
GMO Internet Group Fully Opens R&D Facility Dedicated to Humanoid Robots, the “GMO Humanoid Lab Shibuya Showroom”
The main point is that the company has established a Shibuya site focused on humanoid development and testing, rather than merely an exhibition facility. Taken together with moves involving sales, maintenance and competition support described in related articles by this newspaper, the company’s efforts appear to be moving toward building a system that also covers post-deployment operations.
- · Product launches
RoboParty Unveils RP1 at IROS 2026
RoboParty announced that it unveiled its humanoid robot, the RP1 (ROBOTO 01), at IROS 2026.
- · Funding
Charm Care to Invest ¥300 Million in Donut Robotics
Robotics and automation news site roboticsandautomationnews.com reported that Charm Care Corporation will invest ¥300 million in Donut Robotics.
- · Deployment & production
Quantum Systems to Produce Interceptor Drones in Ukraine; German Government to Fund Tens of Thousands
The German government will fund tens of thousands of Quantum Systems interceptor drones under its winter 2026/2027 military aid package. They are expected to be manufactured in Ukraine, placing the center of mass for production capacity there. ARX Robotics and Roboneers have expanded their relationship into a strategic partnership that includes integrating and jointly developing unmanned ground systems. Cooperation linking German industrial capital with Ukraine’s field experience is advancing in both the air and on the ground. However, production volumes, the ramp-up schedule and the allocation of individual systems remain unclear. The focus is not only on the scale of support but also on implementing a sustained supply.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Sony Semiconductor Solutions and FANUC Announce Collaboration
Sony Semiconductor Solutions and FANUC announced that they signed a strategic partnership in September 2026 to bring physical AI technologies into practical use.
- · Research & technology
Hitachi develops guardrail technology for safe operation of physical AI in social infrastructure
Hitachi announced that it has developed guardrail technology to safely operate physical AI for social infrastructure.
- · Industry
Nikkei XTECH Reports on Physical AI and Prospects for Japan’s Robotics Industry
Nikkei XTECH published an article titled “Physical AI: Prospects for Japan’s Robotics Industry.” The source is an interview, column or editorial, and is not accompanied by an official primary-source announcement. Readers will need to consult the original article for details.
- · Product launches
Kawasaki Heavy to Sell Rideable Four-Legged Mobility Vehicle, Using NVIDIA Platform, Nikkei Reports
The Nikkei reported on October 4, 2026, that Kawasaki Heavy Industries plans to use an NVIDIA platform as it moves toward selling a rideable four-legged mobility vehicle. The report is the main source and describes the combination of a sales concept and a technology platform. Detailed specifications and sales terms need to be checked against the original article.
- · Industry
KDDI and RLWRLD showcase physical AI collaboration
ITmedia published an article introducing KDDI and RLWRLD’s efforts in physical AI.
- · Deployment & production
WeRide Names Japan as Potential Market for Robotaxis
WeRide has included Japan among its potential next markets, alongside Australia, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
- · Industry
Nikkei Reports on Cucumber-Harvesting Robot From Yaskawa Electric and JA
Nikkei published an article about a cucumber-harvesting robot involving Yaskawa Electric and JA. The central issue is how to address the challenge of “only 10% correct” when determining the right time to harvest. See the original article for details.
- · Industry
Sankei News Reports on Autonomous Bus Used in Demonstration Operation
Sankei News reported on an autonomous bus used in a demonstration operation. The published information provides few details about the vehicle’s specifications or operating conditions. The significance of the demonstration should be assessed by referring to the original source.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Kawasaki Heavy Industries to Develop Autonomous Humanoid Robots, Reportedly Adopting Noetora Physical AI
Kawasaki Heavy Industries will adopt Noetora's physical AI to develop autonomous humanoid robots, the Nikkei reported Oct. 3. The report is the primary source, and the development target is humanoid robots. See the original article for details.
- · Product launches
Songyan Power, AgiBot and Unitree Robotics Unveil Embodied Intelligence Models in Succession
In early September, Songyan Power, AgiBot and Unitree Robotics announced embodied intelligence models, leaderobot.com reported.
- · Deployment & production
Companies Using T2’s Autonomous Trucking Service Expand to 23
Five major logistics companies have joined T2’s commercial autonomous truck operations between the Kanto and Kansai regions. The number of companies using the service has grown more than fourfold in one year to 23.
- · Research & technology
Turing says autonomous-driving model learned to flash hazard lights to say “thank you”
Turing said on X that its autonomous-driving model can now flash its hazard lights to say “thank you.” The company’s director and COO posted a similar message and shared a video of a demonstration vehicle driving. The report framed the development as evidence that the model had learned behavior aligned with Japanese driving customs, in addition to driving control.
- · Deployment & production
Agibot Reportedly Leads Humanoid Robot Shipments in First Half of 2026 With More Than 8,600 Units
Agibot reportedly shipped more than 8,600 humanoid robots in the first half of 2026, leading the world, according to IDC data.
- · Product launches
Astribot debuts T1 in North America
Robotics and automation publication roboticsandautomationnews.com reported that Astribot introduced its T1 humanoid robot in North America for the first time.
- · Product launches
Panasonic Holdings aims to develop humanoid robots by 2029, The Nikkei reports
The Nikkei reported that Panasonic Holdings plans to advance development of humanoid robots by 2029.