This article examines the latest developments in Japan's robotics industry centered on physical AI through 3 paths to success and the strategies of leading companies. It also covers company-specific developments and examples of solutions to operational challenges in the field.
Physical AI is attracting attention as a technology that uses sensors to capture information from the real world and enable robots and vehicles to operate autonomously. Japan's industrial robot manufacturers are accelerating technology development, while major IT vendors are also looking for opportunities to expand their businesses.
One view of the path to success for physical AI in Japan is that there is an opportunity to prevent traditional automation domains from being encroached upon, and the value of systems integrators in the robotics sector is expected to increase rather than decline.
Leading robot manufacturers FANUC and Yaskawa Electric are pursuing strategies to expand their businesses by incorporating cutting-edge external AI technologies and expanding into the humanoid robotics sector, respectively.
Hitachi, Ltd. and NEC are advancing domain-specific physical AI that draws on their domain knowledge to address operational challenges in the field, including reducing railway maintenance costs.
SoftBank Group has proposed a layered architecture for AI development that combines intelligence and speed by leveraging communications technology, laying the groundwork for the AI industry. Meanwhile, some observers say Japanese companies are lagging behind the United States and China in humanoid robots.