Yaskawa Electric is developing “physical AI,” in which AI makes its own decisions and operates robots, as a core business, and has opened a production line at its Fifth Plant that combines the technology with its long-cultivated expertise in motors. At the plant, AI robots assemble other robots and are also used to load raw materials and prepare food in the cafeteria.
The current state of a robot production line using “physical AI,” in which AI makes its own decisions and carries out tasks, is presented at a new plant at Yaskawa Electric’s headquarters in Kitakyushu. One example shows an AI robot receiving work instructions from a toolbox and autonomously beginning operations.
The report also describes the intensifying global race to develop the technology. Chinese technological capabilities were demonstrated at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, while it presents the view that the United States is ahead in research investment and Japan is lagging behind.
At Yaskawa Electric’s facilities, the report introduces technology using MOTOMAN NEXT to autonomously perform the screw-tightening process, suggesting that the number of times the robot stops could decline compared with conventional screw tightening.
For the raw-material loading process, 3D sensors recognize the contours of bags so they can be appropriately opened and their contents loaded. The report also covers the use of 2 AI robots in the employee cafeteria, including cooking tasks. In addition, Yaskawa Electric has announced a long-term plan to invest ¥250 billion over 4 years and target ¥600 billion in revenue and ¥100 billion in operating profit for fiscal 2029.