Kawasaki Heavy Industries is moving toward a full-scale shift to its robotics business and plans to invest ¥550 billion over the next 4 years. The company plans to deploy physical AI across all worksites, including shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has newly indicated a policy of concentrating investment in its robotics business, with plans to invest ¥550 billion over the next 4 years. In addition to improving productivity in its core businesses, the company aims to expand external sales and promote the digitalization of all manufacturing worksites through physical AI using robots.
At a briefing held at a robotics development facility overlooking Haneda Airport, the humanoid robot “Kaleido” demonstrated carrying containers and sorting their contents. A four-legged shipbuilding robot was also demonstrated welding while climbing an iron wall, highlighting its potential to supplement the shortage of skilled workers and improve productivity. The company also unveiled a dog-shaped robot for the first time.
For funding, the company will move in July to raise approximately ¥200 billion in total through bonds with stock acquisition rights and a public offering. Its target for the hydrogen business has been reduced to ¥200 billion by 2030, from a plan to expand it to approximately ¥400 billion. At the same time, the company plans to accelerate robotics investment and aims to increase revenue from Sakaide Plant to more than ¥200 billion, approximately 3 times the current level.
As a core element of its growth strategy, the company decided in May 2026 to collaborate with NVIDIA on the use of on-site data. Consolidated net income for the fiscal year ending March 2027 is expected to rise 6% year on year to ¥115 billion, while the company plans to raise its business profit margin to more than 10% in the fiscal year ending March 2031, targeting profitability at least equal to that of rivals Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and IHI.