Yaskawa Electric and SoftBank have signed an agreement to jointly develop AI-powered robots capable of operating in crowded public spaces, as Japan grapples with persistent workforce shortages driven by demographic decline.
The memorandum of understanding combines Yaskawa’s industrial robotics expertise with SoftBank’s AI-RAN telecommunications technology and edge computing capabilities. The companies intend to create robots that can perform multiple tasks simultaneously—a departure from conventional machines designed for single functions.
The collaboration has already produced an office-oriented prototype that integrates with building management systems using AI running on multi-access edge computing. This approach envisions a single robot taking on multiple roles, achieving what the companies describe as “multi-skilled functionality.”
Traditional automation has made limited inroads in environments like hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings where unpredictable human movement demands real-time decision-making. The Yaskawa-SoftBank system aims to address this gap by analyzing data from sensors, cameras, and external systems to issue instant instructions.
The first demonstration is scheduled for the 2025 International Robot Exhibition at Tokyo Big Sight from December 3-6.
SoftBank’s parent company recently agreed to acquire ABB’s industrial robot business for $5.4 billion, signaling broader ambitions in the automation sector beyond this partnership.
