Industrial and humanoid robots, drones, and autonomous machines.
University of Tokyo's MEVIUS2 is a Spot-sized open-source quadruped robot built from sheet metal and e-commerce parts. With full hardware and software on GitHub, LiDAR and HDR camera perception, and reinforcement learning locomotion, it aims to democratize advanced robotics, at a fraction of Spot's $74,500 price tag.
FANUC, the world's largest industrial robot maker, partners with NVIDIA for Physical AI while deliberately avoiding humanoid robots. We break down its historic open-platform shift, the NVIDIA Isaac integration, and how it plans to compete against ABB, KUKA, and China's robot surge.
Space Entry Inc. launches 'Minna no Haro,' an autonomous space robot inspired by Gundam's iconic Haro, bound for the ISS Kibo module. Designed by legendary mecha designer Kunio Okawara and running Zephyr RTOS, the project achieves three world firsts and invites public participation through crowdfunding.
As drone warfare extends to the seas, Japan leads the world in autonomous ship technology. From the MEGURI 2040 project to combat-support USV development and lessons from Ukraine, explore the future of maritime security.
Japanese robotics startup Jinki Ittai unveils its Bilateral Arm — a collaborative robot that transmits force feedback to operators — at Japan IT Week 2026. Also on display: a transformable humanoid heavy machine designed by Macross anime creator Shoji Kawamori. Partnering with Advantech (42.5% global IPC share), the company pursues a distinctly Japanese approach to robotics: human-operated force control rather than full autonomy, setting it apart from Boston Dynamics and Tesla Optimus.
Omron announced it will sell its founding electronic components business — relays, sensors, and connectors dating back to 1933 — to U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group at an enterprise value of ¥81 billion ($540M). A deep dive into Omron's strategic pivot to industrial automation and healthcare, and what this means for Japan's electronics industry restructuring.
Four Japanese companies formed J-HRTI, a consortium to accelerate humanoid robot deployment in factories. With Japan's first private data collection center opening in July 2026, the initiative takes a unique approach focused on industrial data and real-world implementation amid fierce US-China competition.
Japan's top drone company Terra Drone has announced its full-scale entry into the defense equipment market, establishing U.S. subsidiary 'Terra Defense.' The move comes amid Japan's record defense spending, the SHIELD coastal defense initiative, and growing global demand for military drones post-Ukraine.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has formulated a roadmap for deploying AI-powered autonomous robots in security, waste management, and other labor-short sectors by 2030. While Japan commands ~70% of the industrial robot market, it lags behind the US and China in service robotics. The government now targets 30%+ global market share and $130 billion in the AI robot market by 2040. Here's what this national strategy means for Japan and the world.
Japanese startup DOT P unveiled PONKEY, a solenoid-powered instrument robot, at SXSW 2026 in Austin, Texas. Featuring 16 custom-designed keys that light up, produce sound, and physically pop out, PONKEY functions as a drum machine, digital synthesizer, and AI communication device. Backed by Tokyo's TOKYO SUTEAM program, it's set for public release in 2027.
Aizawa Concrete's F3DP is a gasoline-powered drone with a robotic arm and nozzle that extrudes concrete in flight. It is aimed at printing formwork for floating offshore wind platforms by the end of 2028. A machine born from Japan's construction math: 4.77 million workers, 36.6% of them over 55.