Mitsubishi Motors explores humanoid robot production

Mitsubishi Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese robotics startup Highlanders to jointly develop humanoid robots for use in its manufacturing operations and explore mass production of the robots at its Kyoto plant.

The partnership aims to establish what the companies describe as “a new industrial foundation where humans and robots work together”, as Japan’s manufacturing sector grapples with labour shortages and increasingly complex production requirements.

As the first stage of the collaboration, Mitsubishi Motors plans to deploy Highlanders’ humanoid robots in its manufacturing facilities to gather operational data, develop expertise in humanoid robotics and assess future development and production opportunities.

At the same time, the automaker will examine the feasibility of manufacturing Highlanders’ robots at its Kyoto plant, using currently unused buildings, with production potentially starting in early 2027.

Mitsubishi says it will contribute its expertise in mass production engineering, quality assurance, durability and safety design, mechatronics control technologies and factory operations to the project.

The companies say the agreement marks the first collaboration between an automotive manufacturer and a humanoid robotics developer to explore large-scale production of humanoid robots.

Mitsubishi Motors has already invested in Highlanders and says it plans to make further investments in the startup.

Chief executive Takao Kato says the partnership is an opportunity to build expertise in a rapidly developing field.

“Our collaboration with Highlanders represents a challenge aimed at building a new industrial foundation in which humans and robots work together,” Kato says.

“At the same time, it provides Mitsubishi Motors with a valuable opportunity to deepen our technological and business expertise in the field of humanoid robotics.

“By utilising humanoid robots in our own manufacturing facilities and supporting the production of Highlanders products, we aim to leverage the outcomes of this collaboration to drive our growth and enhance corporate value.”

Highlanders chief executive Hiroya Masuoka says combining the company’s robotics technology with Mitsubishi’s manufacturing experience is expected to accelerate development of domestically produced humanoid robots.

“We believe that achieving mass production of domestically developed humanoid robots through this partnership with Mitsubishi Motors, which brings decades of manufacturing expertise, represents a significant step toward achieving this goal,” Masuoka says.

The Tokyo-based startup was established in 2023 and develops humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as robotics simulation technologies.