Mitsubishi Motors to Mass Produce AI Humanoid Robots for Factory Automation

Mitsubishi Motors has announced plans to begin mass production of AI-powered humanoid robots during the first half of 2027, marking a major step into industrial robotics manufacturing. The robots, developed by Tokyo-based startup Highlanders Inc., will initially be deployed across Mitsubishi's manufacturing facilities before potentially being offered to external customers.

The company has invested in Highlanders and will utilize an unused engine production line at its Kyoto Plant to manufacture the humanoid robots. Designed to help address long-term labor shortages, the initiative combines Mitsubishi's automotive manufacturing expertise with advanced physical AI technology to scale production of next-generation industrial robots.

Takao Kato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors, stated:

"Humanoid robots have the potential to become an extremely effective solution for addressing future workforce shortages. By combining Mitsubishi Motors' manufacturing expertise with advanced robotics, we aim to improve productivity while creating a reliable domestic production platform for industrial humanoid robots."

Standing approximately 1.75 meters tall, the humanoid robot features bipedal locomotion, AI-powered environmental awareness, and five-fingered hands capable of grasping and transporting objects. The robot utilizes an NVIDIA graphics processing unit for AI computation, while most mechanical components are manufactured in Japan, supporting domestic robotics development and supply chains.

Hiroya Masuoka, Chief Executive Officer of Highlanders Inc., stated:

"Partnering with Mitsubishi Motors enables us to transition from prototype development to large-scale manufacturing. This collaboration represents an important milestone toward delivering domestically developed humanoid robots that can perform practical industrial work across manufacturing environments."

The Kyoto production line is expected to manufacture up to 1,000 robots per month, leveraging Mitsubishi's established quality control systems. Beyond internal deployment, the companies are evaluating commercial sales opportunities as demand for humanoid robots continues to grow across automotive manufacturing, logistics, and industrial automation sectors worldwide.