Mitsubishi Motors has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Highlanders, a robotics startup originating from the University of Tokyo, for the esbalishment of a “new industrial foundation where humans and robots work together.” This partnership will see the development of humanoid robots for use in the Japanese automaker’s factories.
In Mitsubishi’s press release announcing its cooperation with Highlanders, it acknowledges emerging challenges in the industry such as shortages in manpower and increasing manufacturing complexity. To that point, Highlanders’ work in humanoid robotics is meant to address these issues, creating “a society where humans and robots collaborate seamlessly.”
The partnership will see both parties benefit from cooperation. Mitsubishi’s assembly line will be supported by Highlander’s robots, providing valuable data, know-how, and expertise from real-world conditions. In turn, Mitsubishi will support the startup Highlander with its mass-production capabilities. The two are currently studying the feasibility of using Mitsubishi’s idle facilities in Kyoto for this effort, aiming to kick off production in early 2027.
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Of late, other car manufacturers like BYD, Tesla, and Hyundai have been looking into the speculative field of humanoid robots for use in both manufacturing and showroom applications. BYD, in particular, has defined “dark factories”—plants capable of manufacturing and assembling vehicles with minimal human input—as the endgame for this technology.
Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato commented: “Our collaboration with Highlanders represents a challenge aimed at building a new industrial foundation in which humans and robots work together. At the same time, it provides Mitsubishi Motors with a valuable opportunity to deepen our technological and business expertise in the field of humanoid robotics.”
