Physical AI & robotics news
- · Partnerships & M&A
Waymo, GO and Nihon Kotsu announce driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027, targeting 100 vehicles
Waymo, GO and Nihon Kotsu have formally announced plans to operate a fleet of about 100 Level 4 driverless taxis in Tokyo during 2027. The companies plan to accept ride requests through the GO app and the Waymo app. They said the launch date will be set after the necessary permits and approvals are obtained. The companies have been conducting test runs in seven Tokyo wards since 2025. Both operational planning for commercialization and the customer booking experience will be key issues.
- · Product launches
China Mobile Releases Open-Source Platform for Humanoid Control
Forbes reported that China Mobile has released open-source software designed to make humanoid robots move more smoothly.
- · Deployment & production
Nikkei Business reports on Komatsu’s “nearly unmanned” factory, with work time cut 90%
Nikkei Business Digital reported on Komatsu’s efforts in factory operations. The article says the effort includes a 90% reduction in work time. The original report should be consulted for details.
- · Deployment & production
YUASA Reports Humanoid Robot Trial in Auto Parts Processing, Eyes Sales to SMEs
YUASA is conducting a trial using humanoid robots in auto parts processing and exploring a rollout for small and midsize companies, The Nikkei reported. Public information provides few details about the processes covered by the trial or the operating conditions. The key question is how humanoid robots can be integrated into processing work on factory floors.
- · Deployment & production
Tesla's Optimus factory faces reliance on auto parts suppliers, Yahoo Finance reports
Yahoo Finance reported on September 24 that building a parts supply chain for Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, poses challenges for the factory plan. The focus is on the plan's reliance on auto parts suppliers and the significant adjustments needed to replace or repurpose their components. The central issue is not the factory plan itself, but whether a supply chain can be established for mass production.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Nikkei Business Reports Collaboration Among Yaskawa, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and FANUC
Nikkei Business’ online edition reported on Sept. 24, 2026, that Yaskawa Electric, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and FANUC are working together. The focus is on securing and organizing data used in robotics. The development is seen as a factor that could shape the prospects for domestic AI models.
- · Industry
Nikkei Business Digital reports on challenges facing Chinese-made humanoid robots and Japan’s response
Nikkei Business Digital discussed the state of Chinese-made humanoid robots and Japan’s response. The issues were said to involve practical challenges such as smooth movement and precision. The article framed Japan as looking to “muscles” for an opportunity.
- · Research & technology
PFN and ACSL Reach Stage for Autonomous Flight-Route Generation Demo Under NEDO K Program
Preferred Networks and ACSL announced that they have reached a stage where they can demonstrate automatic flight-route generation under NEDO’s K Program project, “Research and Development of Autonomous and Distributed Control Technologies for Small Unmanned Aircraft.” The research has been underway since October 2025. In Phase 2, running from fiscal 2025 through fiscal 2027, the companies will develop an initial aircraft and technologies including flight-plan generation and obstacle avoidance. The focus is on using AI to automate part of route design, which has depended on operators, and on how to implement the technology in applications such as disaster response and infrastructure inspections.
- · Product launches
ANYbotics Announces Autonomous Door-Passage Capability for ANYmal
ANYbotics reportedly announced, together with dormakaba and LEGIC Identsystems AG, a capability that enables its inspection robot ANYmal to pass through doors autonomously.
- · Product launches
LexxPluss to Hold Three Online Live Demos of LexxMoMa R1 in October
LexxPluss announced it will hold three online live demos of its industrial humanoid, LexxMoMa R1, in October.
- · Deployment & production
Ambi Robotics solves packaging sorting challenge in 10 hours
Automated Warehouse Online reported that Ambi Robotics used AI agents to solve a production issue involving packaging placement in about 10 hours.
- · Product launches
Aurora Outlines Driverless Operations for Second-Generation Trucks and Expansion Plans at Investor Day 2026
At Investor Day 2026 on September 23, 2026, Aurora said its second-generation trucks are driving driverless on public roads every day.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Qualcomm Agrees to Acquire PickNik; MoveIt to Remain Open Source
Qualcomm Technologies Inc. has agreed to acquire PickNik Inc. The deal includes robotics software and MoveIt, an open-source manipulation framework. The companies said they will work to integrate the Qualcomm Dragonwing platform with MoveIt, creating a workflow that links AI models with planning, manipulation and real-time control. PickNik said it will preserve MoveIt’s openness, indicating that it plans to maintain its open-source approach after the acquisition.
What Is Figure AI? A Look at Helix 2.5 and Demonstrations in Factories and Homes
Figure AI is a company testing humanoid robot control policies on physical robots and discussing them in the context of household tasks and factory integration. Articles published by this newspaper cover home trials of Helix 2.5 and reports of robots being connected to production lines at Tesla, BMW and Mercedes. For readers seeking a straightforward answer, Figure AI is best understood as a company working to move humanoid robots from research toward practical use.
- · Policy & regulation
China’s regulators effectively halt approvals for humanoid robot IPOs
Reuters reported that China’s securities regulators are effectively halting approvals for initial public offerings by humanoid robotics companies.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Waymo reportedly exploring autonomous-driving technology deal with Toyota
The possibility of Waymo providing its autonomous-driving technology to automakers has been raised. The focus was on a potential deal with Toyota, and the report mentioned licensing as an option. The backdrop is the view that a business centered on robotaxis alone may have limited growth potential and profitability. However, no specific terms or timing for providing the technology to Toyota were given.
- · Policy & regulation
Government Set to Launch Full-Scale Research on Defense Uses for Humanoid Robots; FY2027 Budget Request Includes Unpriced Item
The government is considering launching full-scale research into the use of humanoid robots in defense. The plan envisions using AI-equipped autonomous “physical AI” for support missions such as base security and transporting supplies. The Ministry of Defense included the research in its FY2027 budget request as an item without a specified amount.
- · Research & technology
Forbes Publishes Article on AI for Autonomous Trucks
Forbes reported on AI for autonomous trucks that is said to be able to drive on highways without prior training.
- · Policy & regulation
Government considers humanoid robots for defense, including AI-powered base security and transport
The government is considering using humanoid robots in the defense sector. The robots would be equipped with AI and are envisioned for use in base security and transport. The aim is to reduce staffing needs, but the conditions for actual deployment and safety checks will be key issues. See the original source for details.
- · Product launches
Google Is Open-Sourcing Software for Robots, Forbes Reports
Forbes reported that Google is open-sourcing software for robots. Sundar Pichai reportedly called the software “Android for robots.” The report described the move as part of a strategy to drive demand for high-value AI components.
- · Funding
May Mobility to Go Public on Nasdaq Through SPAC Merger
May Mobility announced a merger agreement with ACP Holdings Acquisition Corp. and said it plans to list on Nasdaq.
- · Deployment & production
Boston Dynamics Opens RMAC
Boston Dynamics announced on the 21st that it had opened the Robotics Metaplant Application Center (RMAC), where Atlas will be trained and demonstrated, inside Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.
- · Deployment & production
Report: Toyota Plans to Deploy Humanoids in Factories
Toyota Motor plans to begin deploying humanoid robots at production sites worldwide in 2028, according to reports. The planned deployment could reach up to 400,000 units, with the robots expected to work alongside people in the company’s factories. The plan reportedly also includes ELEY, a robot developed in-house by Toyota.
- · Deployment & production
UBTECH’s 10,000-Unit-Class Humanoid Robot Factory in Liuzhou Starts Production, With Plans for One Robot Every 10 Minutes
UBTECH held a production launch ceremony on September 12 for its industrial humanoid robot factory in Liuzhou, designed for more than 10,000 units a year. The production line is designed to turn out one robot every 10 minutes. The factory is built around a dedicated digital manufacturing platform developed with Siemens to refine material handling, assembly and precision control for mass production.
- · Industry
Tesla Holds Cybercab Public Tour in Tokyo and Other Cities
jidounten-lab.com reported that Tesla Japan held events in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in September 2026 where visitors could see a Cybercab in person. The vehicle is designed for autonomous operation and seats two, with no steering wheel or pedals. It is equipped with eight external cameras, the report said. The article also said deployments began in Austin, Texas, in September 2026.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Government, DMG MORI and Komatsu to Join Forces on Data Collection for Physical AI, The Nikkei Reports
The government and major machinery makers, including DMG MORI and Komatsu, are moving toward a collaboration to collect training data for physical AI, The Nikkei reported. The plan calls for assigning common IDs to machines in factories and gathering manufacturing data across company boundaries. The article also cited the government’s goal of growing Japan’s domestic AI robotics industry to more than 30% of the global market and a scale of ¥20 trillion by 2040.
- · Research & technology
Forbes Reports on MIT Optical Project Research to Improve Robot Dexterity
Forbes reported that an MIT optical project is working to improve robot dexterity.
- · Research & technology
York University publishes convergent binocular depth estimation research in Science Robotics
A research team at York University in Canada published a method in Science Robotics that uses disparity information from converging binocular vision to estimate depth.
- · Product launches
Tesla Unveils Cybercab in Japan for the First Time
Tesla is displaying the Cybercab, a vehicle developed for autonomous taxis, in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in succession.
- · Product launches
Figure Unveils Helix 2.5
Figure announced that it has released Helix 2.5, a humanoid control policy.