Kawasaki Heavy Industries is proceeding with investment of approximately ¥100 billion in total at Sakaide Plant, will begin demonstration testing of a four-legged shipbuilding robot in 2027 and aims for commercial deployment in fiscal 2028.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has indicated a policy of investing approximately ¥100 billion over the next 10 years, centered on Sakaide Plant in Sakaide. The investment includes the introduction of shipbuilding robots and equipment upgrades, with demonstration testing scheduled to begin in 2027 and commercial deployment targeted for fiscal 2028.
The newly introduced shipbuilding robot can walk on four legs and is equipped with AI to perform welding and inspections at heights. It is expected to improve operating efficiency and production capacity at Sakaide Plant.
The company has already announced a ¥45 billion investment plan at Sakaide Plant, including major crane upgrades. Including the introduction of AI-enabled robots, total investment over the next 10 years is expected to reach approximately ¥100 billion.
Sakaide Plant currently generates annual sales in the several-hundred-billion-yen range. Over the longer term, the company intends to strengthen its merchant shipbuilding capacity and increase sales to more than ¥200 billion by 2035.