The race to build practical humanoid robots is heating up, and Japan’s automotive industry is making another bold move. Mitsubishi Motors has announced plans to enter the fast-growing humanoid robotics sector, signaling that the future of manufacturing may soon include robotic coworkers working alongside humans on factory floors.
The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese robotics startup Highlanders Inc. to jointly develop humanoid robots for use in Mitsubishi’s manufacturing facilities. Beyond simply deploying these machines, Mitsubishi also plans to mass-produce Highlanders’ humanoid robots at its Kyoto plant, with production expected to begin in 2027. This move positions the automaker as both a robotics developer and manufacturer, expanding its role beyond traditional vehicle production.
Like many manufacturers worldwide, Mitsubishi faces increasing pressure from labor shortages, rising production costs, and the need for greater manufacturing efficiency. Humanoid robots offer a promising solution because they are designed to operate in environments originally built for people.
Unlike traditional industrial robots that are fixed in place and perform repetitive tasks, humanoid robots can walk, carry materials, operate tools, inspect equipment, and adapt to changing work environments. Their human-like form allows manufacturers to introduce automation without completely redesigning existing production lines.
Initially, Mitsubishi intends to use these robots within its own factories, where they could handle physically demanding or repetitive tasks while supporting human workers rather than replacing them.
Mitsubishi’s announcement comes as competition in humanoid robotics accelerates around the world. Companies including Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, and several Chinese robotics firms are investing heavily in machines capable of performing industrial, logistics, and service-sector work.
Japan has long been a leader in robotics, and the country’s aging population has increased the urgency of developing automation solutions that can sustain economic productivity. The government has also outlined ambitious plans to expand the deployment of humanoid robots across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, disaster response, and eldercare over the coming decades.
Mitsubishi’s partnership with Highlanders demonstrates that established manufacturers are no longer content to simply purchase robotic systems—they want to help build them.
For decades, Mitsubishi has been recognized for producing reliable vehicles and advanced manufacturing technologies. By entering the humanoid robotics market, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence, automation, and industrial manufacturing.
The collaboration is expected to combine Highlanders’ robotics expertise with Mitsubishi’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities. If successful, the partnership could accelerate commercial production of humanoid robots while lowering manufacturing costs through mass production.
This strategy mirrors trends seen across the automotive industry, where expertise in precision engineering, quality control, and large-scale assembly provides a natural foundation for building advanced robotic systems.
Artificial intelligence will also play a crucial role. Modern humanoid robots rely on AI for perception, navigation, object recognition, and decision-making, allowing them to perform tasks that extend beyond simple programmed movements.
Mitsubishi’s entry into humanoid robotics reflects a broader transformation taking place across global manufacturing. Automakers are evolving into technology companies, combining expertise in engineering, AI, and automation to build the factories of the future.
Whether Mitsubishi’s robots can meet these expectations by 2027 remains to be seen, but the company’s manufacturing experience could provide an important advantage.
If production begins as planned in 2027, Mitsubishi will become one of the latest major industrial companies to manufacture and deploy humanoid workers at scale. While human employees are unlikely to disappear from factories anytime soon, robotic colleagues may soon become a familiar sight on assembly lines around the world.
