Physical AI & robotics news
- · Research & technology
Ricoh develops physical AI technology that learns human movements from video
Ricoh announced Aug. 31, 2026, that it had developed physical AI technology that learns human movements from video and acquires action representations independent of a robot’s mechanical structure.
- · Partnerships & M&A
AeroNext joins Exa’s physical AI platform development as technical partner, supporting ship inspection automation
AeroNext announced on Sept. 1, 2026, that it would join as a technical partner in a project to develop a “physical AI platform” launched by Exa. Forcesteed Robotics will also collaborate, and AeroNext will provide drone airframe design and autonomous flight technology.
- · Research & technology
Toyota Unveils New Basketball Robot CUE7, Achieving Natural Dribbling Through Reinforcement Learning
Toyota Motor Corp. unveiled its new basketball robot, CUE7. Using a two-wheeled self-balancing design and reinforcement learning, it achieves dribbling movements similar to those of a human.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Mobileye to Acquire Humanoid Company Mentee Robotics for $900 Million
Mobileye announced a definitive agreement on Jan. 6, 2026, to acquire humanoid robotics company Mentee Robotics for about $900 million. The acquisition aims to make Mobileye a Physical AI leader in both autonomous driving and humanoid robotics. Field demonstrations are planned for 2026, with mass production scheduled for 2028.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, NEC to Form Strategic Defense Partnership, Collaborate on Unmanned Assets and AI
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NEC signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept. 2, 2026, toward a strategic partnership in the defense sector. The companies aim to work together in areas including operational planning and command and control, and unmanned assets, to strengthen Japan’s defense industrial base and establish data and AI sovereignty. They will provide products and services for the development of new command and control systems.
- · Industry
Coverage of China's Robot Games
NIKKEI COMEMO covered the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games, held in China.
- · Deployment & production
S&B Foods and Otafuku Sauce test autonomous truck-rail freight combination
T2 and three other companies will begin a trial on Sept. 8 combining autonomous trucks and freight rail.
- · Policy & regulation
METI Official Speaks at AI Leaders Conference
Takuya Watanabe of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry spoke at the AI Leaders Conference 2026 Autumn on September 2, 2026.
- · Product launches
Jizai Begins Presales of Desktop AI Robot Palmimo DevKit
Jizai Inc. announced that it has begun presales of Palmimo DevKit, a desktop development kit for its customizable, general-purpose AI robot Palmimo.
- · Product launches
AGIRobots Announces Exhibition Appearance
AGIRobots said it will exhibit at the Manufacturing World Osaka 2026 “Manufacturing × Physical AI Exhibition,” scheduled for Oct. 7-9, 2026, at INTEX Osaka.
- · Industry
SoftBank Robotics Announces Logistics Automation Seminar
SoftBank Robotics announced an online seminar on improving logistics center efficiency through physical AI. The seminar is aimed at businesses and will introduce the latest developments in logistics center automation. Detailed dates and program information are not available in public sources.
- · Deployment & production
Moss Burger Introduces Remote-Controlled OriHime Robot for Customer Service
The Nikkei reported that Mos Food Services is using remote-controlled robots for customer service.
- · Product launches
LINX to exhibit at International Logistics Exhibition 2026, showcase new transport robots
LINX Corp. will exhibit at the 17th International Logistics Exhibition 2026, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from Sept. 8 to 11, 2026.
- · Product launches
Mitsubishi Motors Unveils New Pajero, Reviving Flagship After 7 Years
Mitsubishi Motors unveiled the new Pajero on Sept. 2. The return of its flagship model after 7 years is aimed at strengthening the brand.
- · Product launches
Pudu Robotics Unveils Three Commercial Robotic Lawn Mowers
Pudu Robotics has unveiled its PUDU GT Series of commercial robotic lawn mowers, according to a report.
- · Industry
Nikkei xTECH Reports Physical AI as an Opportunity for Japan
Nikkei xTECH, published by Nikkei Inc., ran an article on August 30, 2026, describing physical AI as an opportunity for Japan.
- · Product launches
WOGO Announces Launch of ‘Hacadly 2D Drawing,’ AI Software That Automatically Generates 2D Drawings From 3D Models
WOGO announced on August 31, 2026, the launch of Hacadly 2D Drawing, AI software that automatically generates 2D drawings from 3D models. The software supports SOLIDWORKS and iCAD and can create one drawing in a few minutes. It also accommodates company-specific drafting rules.
- · Product launches
New Lexus NX updates hybrid system; PHEV EV range reaches 140 km
Toyota Motor Corp. announced the new Lexus NX on Sept. 1. It revamped the hybrid system and will offer three electrified models. The PHEV has an EV driving range of 140 km.
- · Industry
China's Humanoid Robots See Sales Surge With Government Support, Nikkei Business Reports
Nikkei Business reported on Sept. 2, 2026, that sales of China's humanoid robots are surging with government support.
- · Product launches
Zhejiang University Startup Develops Panda-Shaped Robot, Nikkei Reports
Nikkei reported that a Zhejiang University startup developed a panda-shaped robot to encourage children to go to bed and wash their hands. Details are unclear.
- · Product launches
ManmaruAI Launches ‘AI Robot Workforce Service’ Using Low-Cost Robots
ManmaruAI Inc. announced the launch of its “AI Robot Workforce Service” for manufacturing and logistics facilities and office buildings. The service covers picking, sorting, packing, transport, patrols, photography and inspections, using robots developed in-house at low cost.
- · Industry
Nikkei Reports on Buyers of Chinese Humanoid Robots
Nikkei published an article about who is buying Chinese humanoid robots. Buyers and the settings in which the robots are actually used should be considered separately. Specific details, including the scale of adoption and applications, should be confirmed in the original article.
- · Research & technology
Sankei Shimbun reports development of wolf-like mobile robot
Sankei Shimbun reported on a mobile robot modeled on a wolf.
- · Product launches
Plus Automation Proposes Simplifying Warehouse Operations Through Coordination Among Multiple Robots
Plus Automation Co., Ltd. announced an initiative to make warehouse operations more accessible and simpler by coordinating multiple robots. Specific products and technical details were not disclosed. This article considers the initiative’s position in the logistics robotics market based on the reports.
- · Industry
Ory Laboratory to Run Fiscal 2026 OriHime Internship Program
Ory Laboratory will launch the Fiscal 2026 OriHime Internship Program in October 2026, using its OriHime avatar robot. The company says the program aims to expand employment opportunities through remote operation.
- · Industry
Humanoid competition emerges as a field of focus
36Kr reported that, amid the AI wave, embodied AI has become a major area of competition in the global technology industry, with humanoid robots at its center.
- · Industry
Germany’s Wilo Establishes Japanese Subsidiary, Targets Data Center Market
German pump manufacturer Wilo is making a full-scale entry into Japan and targeting the data center market. It has established Wilo Japan as its Japanese subsidiary.
- · Partnerships & M&A
Exa launches ship maintenance automation as it builds physical AI platform
Exa said it is stepping up development of a physical AI platform aimed at reducing hazardous work and addressing labor shortages, starting with automation of ship maintenance and inspection.
- · Product launches
Mitsubishi Electric to Exhibit at CEATEC 2026
Mitsubishi Electric announced that it will exhibit as the Mitsubishi Electric Group at CEATEC 2026, which will be held at Makuhari Messe from Oct. 13 to 16.
- · Industry
Report on Humanoid Robots Featured
OFweek Robotics featured a report by Roland Berger.