← Back

Wire · operational-macro

Mitsubishi turns to humanoid robots

Published

16 July 2026

Topic

operational-macro

Sectors

RoboticsManufacturing Tech

Geography

Japan

Source

Read at goauto.com.au

Verified

Fusion42 · 16 July 2026 · Fusion42 review

Mitsubishi Motors partners with Tokyo-based robotics start-up Highlanders Inc to develop and mass-produce humanoid robots at its Kyoto engine plant, targeting 1000 units per month by late 2027 for automotive manufacturing roles including component handling and material transport. The deal addresses Mitsubishi's excess plant capacity and Japan's labour shortage whilst providing Highlanders with industrial-scale manufacturing capability.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Robotics and Manufacturing Tech.

◆ The Wire takeaway

If you supply components for automotive assembly or specialise in material handling, Mitsubishi just committed to buying 1000 humanoid robots per month from 2027 onwards - and every robot needs grippers, sensors, power systems, and safety hardware that large OEMs won't build themselves. That supply chain is now open.

Coverage

1 source · 16 Jul 2026

Related on Wire

Topics

RoboticsManufacturing Techhumanoid-robotsmanufacturinglabour-automationjapan-workforcerobotics-startups