Japan targets 10 million robots by 2040 with $6 billion sovereign AI investment

Japan wants 10 million more robots by 2040, some providing medical care

Japan has updated its national robotics strategy with a goal to adopt 10 million robots by the year 2040, with some intended to provide medical care. Minister for the Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa yesterday announced the amended strategy, which envisions more robots working to provide medical care, or taking on roles in the food and beverage manufacturing sectors. To make it happen, Akazawa announced investments in models for AI-powered robots and other forms of physical AI. As is often the case in Japan, this effort will bring together a handful of industrial giants to share their expertise. That collaboration will take place within a new organization called "Noetra" that will be majority-owned by SoftBank, NEC, Sony Group, and Honda. Fujitsu and Rakuten are apparently pondering participation. The minister said Japan already has a lot of robotics expertise gained from using machines in healthcare for the elderly, disaster response, manufacturing, and even decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. He hopes to use that experience to turn Japan into a robotics powerhouse that serves domestic needs and creates world-leading products. One reason Japan is keen on robots is the combination of its ageing population and restrictive migration policies means it is hard to find workers. Robots therefore supplant humans in some roles - and often do so without much complaint because they're not taking jobs but instead are filling jobs humans aren't available or willing to perform. South Korea announced a similar plan to become a robotics powerhouse on Monday, so let battle be joined! Hopefully not giant robot battle - an aspect of robotics that's a notable feature of Japanese popular culture. ®

Japan plans sovereign AI model, 10 million AI robots

Japan plans to develop a homegrown artificial intelligence model and have 10 million AI-equipped robots operating in more than a dozen sectors by 2040, the government said. "This strategy sets a target of approximately 10 million robots to be deployed by 2040 and, with the addition of the restaurant, food manufacturing and medical sectors, will vigorously promote social implementation across a total of 18 fields," Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters. Japan plans to develop a homegrown artificial intelligence model and have 10 million AI-equipped robots operating in more than a dozen sectors by 2040, the government said. The country will reportedly invest around $6 billion in the homemade AI model, which will be developed by Noetra, a consortium of firms including SoftBank and Sony. Countries around the world are seeking to develop sovereign AI models to reduce a potentially dangerous over-reliance on technology from the United States and China. Media reports said that the government would provide up to one trillion yen ($6.1 billion) over the next five years, depending on the results of the initiative. The number of companies investing in Noetra is expected to increase to 44 including those in the automotive, electronics and other manufacturing sectors as well as finance and logistics, the Nikkei business daily reported. Noetra will focus in particular on physical AI, with the government also announcing on Tuesday a revised version of its AI robotics strategy. Instead of just interacting with users via software on a screen, physical AI is about the deployment of artificial intelligence in real-world settings -- such as self-driving cars, factory robots or even android butlers. Despite massive investments and big plans for AI robots, their application and performance in real-life settings remain limited. "This strategy sets a target of approximately 10 million robots to be deployed by 2040 and, with the addition of the restaurant, food manufacturing and medical sectors, will vigorously promote social implementation across a total of 18 fields," Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters. "We will build and grow data infrastructure for physical AI and robots that capitalise on Japan's strengths," he said. With its ageing and shrinking population, Japan is also hoping that robots can help plug gaps in the workforce. Last month Japan announced a 14-year growth strategy targeting public and private investment of 370 trillion yen ($2.3 trillion) in 17 sectors including physical AI, chips, quantum technology and nuclear fusion. Neighbouring South Korea this week announced record public-private investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars into AI data centres and chipmaking over several years.

Japan plans sovereign AI model and 10 million AI robots

Japan plans to develop a homegrown artificial intelligence model and have 10 million AI-equipped robots operating in more than a dozen sectors by 2040, the government said. The country will reportedly invest around $6 billion in the homemade AI model, which will be developed by Noetra, a consortium of firms including SoftBank and Sony. Countries around the world are seeking to develop sovereign AI models to reduce a potentially dangerous over-reliance on technology from the United States and China. Media reports said that the government would provide up to 1 trillion yen ($6.1 billion) over the next five years, depending on the results of the initiative. The number of companies investing in Noetra is expected to increase to 44 including those in the automotive, electronics and other manufacturing sectors as well as finance and logistics, the Nikkei business daily reported. Noetra will focus in particular on physical AI, with the government also announcing on Tuesday a revised version of its AI robotics strategy. Instead of just interacting with users via software on a screen, physical AI is about the deployment of artificial intelligence in real-world settings -- such as self-driving cars, factory robots or even android butlers. Despite massive investments and big plans for AI robots, their application and performance in real-life settings remain limited. "This strategy sets a target of approximately 10 million robots to be deployed by 2040 and, with the addition of the restaurant, food manufacturing and medical sectors, will vigorously promote social implementation across a total of 18 fields," industry minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters. "We will build and grow data infrastructure for physical AI and robots that capitalize on Japan's strengths," he said. With its aging and shrinking population, Japan is also hoping that robots can help plug gaps in the workforce. Last month Japan announced a 14-year growth strategy targeting public and private investment of ¥370 trillion ($2.3 trillion) in 17 sectors including physical AI, chips, quantum technology and nuclear fusion. Neighboring South Korea this week announced record public-private investments worth hundreds of billions of dollars into AI data centers and chipmaking over several years.