Insider Brief
- Atom and NSK signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and test humanoid robot components and AI systems in Japan, with the goal of strengthening domestic production.
- The companies will test NSK-developed actuators on Atom humanoid robots and use the results to improve performance and address mass-production requirements.
- Atom and NSK will also use NSK manufacturing sites to collect real-world physical AI data intended to improve Atom’s models and develop robots for more advanced manufacturing tasks.
Atom and NSK have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and test components and AI systems in Japan to bolster domestic production of humanoid robots
The partnership will combine Atom’s robotics and AI technology with NSK’s precision-component development and mass-production capabilities, according to Atom. The companies said they intend to build a more integrated development and production system in Japan while also collecting real-world data needed to improve physical AI models. The two companies did not provide a timetable for commercial deployment or mass production of a completed humanoid robot.
Atom indicated that Japan currently has a limited number of companies attempting to build a large-scale domestic humanoid robotics industry, creating challenges around supply stability and manufacturing capacity.
“The integration of physical AI and hardware is essential for the implementation of humanoid robots, Atom president and CEO Shunsuke Aoki said in the announcement. “However, achieving a high-quality fusion of the two is extremely difficult, and successful examples are limited globally. NSK Ltd. is a world leader in precision components. By combining their outstanding hardware technology with our physical AI platform model development capabilities, we can realize the highest quality humanoid robots made in Japan.”
What Does the Atom and NSK Agreement Cover?
One part of the agreement will focus on actuators, the components that drive a robot’s joints and movement. NSK-developed actuators will be installed on Atom humanoid robots for testing, with data from those evaluations used to improve performance and address issues related to mass production.
The companies will also use NSK manufacturing sites to collect physical AI data with Atom humanoid robots. Atom said information gathered from production environments will be used to improve its physical AI platform model and develop robots capable of handling more advanced manufacturing tasks.
NSK’s representative executive officer, president and CEO Akihito Ichii said the company is working to support Japan’s robotics industry by supplying precision components and helping build a domestic humanoid sector capable of competing globally.
“Realizing a society where robots work alongside humans requires the integration of superior AI and robust hardware to support it,” Ichii said. “We will continue to pursue the reliability and durability required by the field, ensuring that our precision components support the movements of Atom’s humanoid robots.”
In June, Atom announced it had raised 3 billion yen, or nearly $19 million, in seed funding to develop AI-powered humanoid robots for manufacturing, logistics and transportation. The round was co-led by ANRI, Beyond Next Ventures and JAFCO Group, with the funding earmarked for hiring, development infrastructure, commercialization and work toward future mass production.
Image credit: Atom
