The move will combine SoftBank’s AI-RAN communication technology with Yaskawa’s AI-powered robotics, in a bid to make robots safer, more flexible, and more capable in real-world settings where they must operate side-by-side with people.
According to the company, by integrating robotics and AI, with advanced communication systems, the pair aims to expand the kinds of tasks robots can handle, with their first joint project focusing on developing office-oriented use cases for Physical AI robots.
This comes as Japan’s labour shortages and growing workplace demands are increasing the need for automation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation has claimed, with everyday officers, hospitals and schools still being difficult for robots to navigate.
As a result, SoftBank and Yaskawa claim their partnership aims to solve these challenges using Japan-developed technology.
The move follow SoftBank buying ABB’s robotics business, in a deal worth $5.4 billion deal, as the investment company’s founder and CEO Masayoshi Son seeks to venture into the robotics sector.
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