Mitsubishi joins the automaker rush into factory humanoid robots

Mitsubishi has now joined a growing list of automakers around the world pushing to start making their own robots.

The Japanese automaker is teaming with Tokyo-based Highlanders Inc. to mass-produce humanoid robots, according to a Sunday report by The Mainichi.

Highlanders, a startup that spun out of the University of Tokyo in 2023, builds general-purpose humanoid and quadruped robots using domestically sourced parts.

“There is no company (in Japan) that can compete with global companies in the realm of physical AI,” said Highlanders CEO Hiroya Masuoka. “We want to take a step forward.”

Mitsubishi targets making 1,000 robots by 2027

Mitsubishi intends to leverage its manufacturing expertise in this alliance, with a target to hit a production capacity of 1,000 humanoids per month before the end of 2027, according to the report.

The company mentioned labor shortages as one reason behind the move. It also plans to deploy humanoid robots on an engine manufacturing line at its factory in Kyoto, Japan.

“In Japan, we are the ‘leadoff hitter’ in mass producing’ humanoid robots, said Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato.

The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the partnership earlier this month.

Highlanders agreed to work with Mitsubishi to develop robots for use in the automaker’s facilities. In turn, Mitsubishi Motors’ Kyoto Plant will be used to mass-produce Highlanders’ robots.

The announcement revealed Mitsubishi Motors already has a stake in Highlanders, and it plans to make additional investments in the future.

Meanwhile, the deal puts a Japanese automaker into a contest that already includes Hyundai, Tesla, BYD, Xiaomi, and XPeng, all of which have moved to put walking robots on their own assembly lines.

Automakers are investing heavily in humanoids

Xiaomi is already testing humanoid robots in its car production facility. On July 15th, Cryptopolitan reported that Xiaomi’s robots hit 98% success rate, just 1% below the performance level of human workers.

The tech giant plans to deploy “a large number” of humanoid robots in its factories over the next five years.

Another Chinese automaker, XPeng, plans to launch its humanoids globally by next year, as part of its plan to become a “physical AI company.”

South Korea’s Hyundai took the acquisition route. The Korean group agreed in July to buy SoftBank’s remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics for an estimated 500 billion won, or about $338 million, Cryptopolitan reported.

Having full control of the robotics firm, Hyundai intends to deploy Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot, Atlas, at its Metaplant America electric-vehicle complex in Georgia starting in 2028.