Mitsubishi Motors has partnered with Japanese startup Highlanders to develop humanoid robots for its factories. The automaker aims to address labor shortages and modernize its production lines.
The robots will be assembled at Mitsubishi's Kyoto engine plant, with production potentially starting as early as 2027.
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The company plans to produce 1,000 units per month.
Initially, the robots will handle welding, logistics, and engine assembly tasks. They are equipped with AI and will begin with jobs like ferrying components and assembling engines.
Mitsubishi has already invested in Highlanders, though the amount and stake size remain undisclosed. The company says more funding could follow.
Unlike BMW, which buys robots from external suppliers, Mitsubishi co-developed these robots with Highlanders and will produce them in-house.
Empty buildings at the Kyoto plant will be repurposed for assembly.
Collaboration and Future Plans
Mitsubishi claims its memorandum of understanding with Highlanders is the first such collaboration between a car brand and a humanoid robotics firm for mass production.
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Other automakers are pursuing similar efforts, but this marks a significant step for Mitsubishi, which trails competitors in many markets.
The company has not stated whether it plans to replace human workers. Instead, it emphasizes a vision where “humans and robots work together.”
“Our collaboration with Highlanders represents a challenge aimed at building a new industrial foundation in which humans and robots work together,” said Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato.
He added that the auto industry's supply chain could support robot development, citing tasks from welding to logistics as evidence of potential.
If the robots perform well on the line, Mitsubishi may consider selling them to other manufacturers.
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The move is part of a broader shift toward flexible manufacturing systems that can adapt to demand.
