Automation

On the Floor

Two Japanese Heavyweights Collaborate for Physical AI

Japanese industrial conglomerate Hitachi is working with FANUC to accelerate the marriage of artificial intelligence with robotics.

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The marriage of robots with artificial intelligence is the core of physical AI, and it’s the leading edge of automation research. Two well-known Japanese corporations are teaming up to work this difficult problem. Industrial giant Hitachi is partnering  with industrial robot making heavyweight FANUC.

The partnership combines Hitachi’s HMAX Industry AI expertise with FANUC’s AI enabled industrial robots and control technology. The plan will use Hitachi group factories as “customer zero”, where AI will learn production activities. Specific applications will include picking parts of various shapes and performing changeovers when production items change. 

Written by

James Anderton

Jim Anderton is the Director of Content for ENGINEERING.com. Mr. Anderton was formerly editor of Canadian Metalworking Magazine and has contributed to a wide range of print and on-line publications, including Design Engineering, Canadian Plastics, Service Station and Garage Management, Autovision, and the National Post. He also brings prior industry experience in quality and part design for a Tier One automotive supplier.