Fujitsu, Nvidia and Japan’s major robot makers aim to create AI robots that safely coexist with humans for the labour shortage in the manufacturing, health-care sectors.
Japan’s robot giant Fujitsu has partnered with Nvidia and three of the nation’s largest industrial robotics makers, aiming to accelerate progress in physical AI – the technology to help robots intelligently and safely work with people in factories, hospitals and their homes, The Economic Times said. Fanuc Corp, Yaskawa Electric Corp and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are joining with Nvidia’s artificial intelligence platform in a bid to use the country’s robotics leadership and its advanced technologies.
The agreement was announced on Monday in Tokyo by Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and his Fujitsu counterpart Takahito Tokita.
Physical AI is basically a smart robot that can autonomously perform physical tasks by understanding the environment and can make its own decisions and carry out commands outside its predefined programming.
The officials told the media that physical AI will provide an edge for Japan in tackling its looming demographic crisis, which will see a shrinking labour force. Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang quoted Japan’s strength in manufacturing as one reason it is apt for physical AI. “Japan’s excellence is a philosophy, a way of life. Made in Japan means the highest quality and highest precision.”
“Kaizen, the concept of continuous improvement so revered in Japan, also offers unique benefits in advanced robotics development,” said Huang. The companies have yet to announce any timeframe for the deployment of their physical AI systems or the formation of any joint ventures, The Economic Times reported that early collaboration is likely to commence later this year.
Japan has increased investment in artificial intelligence in a bid to boost its global competitiveness, with the Japanese government recently unveiling plans to invest over US$2.3 trillion of public and private capital in AI, semiconductors, and data centres over the next two decades, whilst Nvidia continues to ink pacts with Japanese tech and industry.
