by Mitsubishi plans to produce humanoid robots for its own factories
Mitsubishi, a company that has long watched competitors modernize their production, has decided not to fall behind. It has signed an agreement with a tech startup to create humanoid robots that will work in its factories. This is a bet on automation, which should help overcome the lag in various business areas.
The automaker will collaborate with the company Highlanders, which emerged from the University of Tokyo. The robots are planned to be used to address the labor shortage problem in Japan. This is part of a broader shift towards flexible manufacturing systems that can adapt to changes in demand.
Mitsubishi has already invested in Highlanders and does not rule out additional injections, although the amounts and size of the stake are not disclosed.
In-house production and first steps
Unlike BMW, which buys robots from third-party suppliers, Mitsubishi is developing them together with Highlanders and will assemble them at its own facilities. For this, it plans to use vacant space at the plant in Kyoto, where engines are currently produced. Mass production of the robots could begin as early as 2027.
The capacity of the Kyoto plant is planned at 1,000 humanoid robots per month. Initially, they will perform simple tasks: transporting parts and assembling engines. If the robots prove themselves well on the line, the company will consider selling them to other manufacturers.
Mitsubishi claims that its memorandum of cooperation with Highlanders is the first such agreement between an automotive brand and a humanoid robotics company regarding mass production. Other automakers are also developing similar projects, but for Mitsubishi, which lags behind competitors in many markets, this is an important step.
A look into the future
The company does not specify whether it plans to replace existing workers with robots. Instead, it emphasizes that it strives for a society where “people and robots work together.”
“Our collaboration with Highlanders is a challenge aimed at creating a new industrial foundation where people and robots work together,” said Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi. “At the same time, it gives Mitsubishi Motors a valuable opportunity to deepen our technological and business knowledge in the field of humanoid robotics. By using humanoid robots in our own production facilities and supporting the manufacturing of Highlanders’ products, we aim to leverage the results of this collaboration to drive our growth and increase corporate value.”
Kato added that the existing supply chain in the automotive industry could fuel the development of robotics. He pointed to the various tasks on the production line — from welding to logistics — as evidence of the “great potential” of this direction.
This move by Mitsubishi is part of a global trend where automakers are increasingly integrating robotization not only to improve efficiency but also to create new sources of revenue. If the project proves successful, the company will not only be able to modernize its own production but also become a supplier of robots to other industries, which is especially relevant amid a global labor shortage. The refusal to directly replace people in favor of cooperation may help avoid social tension and gain support from trade unions, which is critically important for the Japanese labor market.
