News
Unmanned lab opens with robots at work as researchers push AI, automation
2+ week, 1+ day ago (272+ words) May 10, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Tokyo-based university has opened a laboratory where robots are carrying out medical experiments once handled by human researchers as it aims to eventually automate nearly the entire research process. The facility at the Institute…...
AI robot takes on, beats elite human table tennis players
2+ week, 2+ day ago (369+ words) May 9, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A research team involving Sony Group Corp.'s artificial intelligence unit and others recently said it has developed an AI-powered robot capable of competing with and beating skilled human table tennis players. Although still unable…...
Japanese startup to launch Gundam-inspired Haro robot into space
2+ week, 4+ day ago (278+ words) May 6, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A Japanese startup plans to send a spherical robot inspired by Haro from the classic anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam" into space by next spring. Spearheaded by Space Entry Co. , based in Tsukuba, near Tokyo,…...
JAL, GMO to test using humanoid robots for airport ground operations
3+ week, 6+ day ago (254+ words) April 28, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan Airlines Co. and GMO Internet Group Inc. said Monday they will launch a demonstration experiment using humanoid robots to move passengers' luggage at Tokyo's Haneda airport in May, to verify their potential for achieving…...
Realistic robot modeled after ancient marine reptile swims at west Japan museum
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (252+ words) April 7, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) KAINAN, Wakayama -- A demonstration of a robot modeled after the newly discovered ancient mosasaur species "Wakayama Soryu" took place at the Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History here on April 5, surprising visitors with its smooth movements in…...
Bhutan monks turn to AI chatbot for Buddhist guidance
2+ mon, 1+ day ago (682+ words) March 24, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) THINPHU (Kyodo) -- High in the Himalayas, in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, monks are turning to an unlikely source for spiritual guidance: artificial intelligence. An AI-powered chatbot called Buddha Bot is being used to answer questions and…...
Japan student developing AI-equipped 'inconvenient robot' to encourage elderly outings
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (204+ words) March 6, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) OITA -- A graduate student here has been developing an "inconvenient robot" that is selfish and whose battery cannot be charged at home to encourage elderly people to go out more. The communication robot, equipped with artificial intelligence…...
KDDI to introduce humanoid robot in retail shops to serve customers
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (211+ words) March 2, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) BARCELONA, Spain (Kyodo) -- KDDI Corp. will introduce a humanoid robot controlled by physical artificial intelligence technology to serve customers at retail shops and elsewhere, the Japanese telecommunications operator said Monday. KDDI will showcase related exhibitions at the…...
Cyber sutras: Japan research team unveils humanoid robot capable of Buddhist dialogue
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (379+ words) February 28, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) KYOTO -- A Kyoto University professor and the artificial intelligence (AI) startup Teraverse have developed a "Buddharoid" humanoid robot equipped with generative AI capable of Buddhist dialogue. A research and development group led by Professor Seiji Kumagai from…...
Tokyo Fire Dept's New Year drills feature ladder stunts, 4-legged disaster robots - "
4+ mon, 2+ week ago (179+ words) January 7, 2026 (Mainichi Japan) TOKYO -- The Tokyo Fire Department held its annual New Year drills on Jan. 6 at Tokyo Big Sight in the capital's Koto Ward, with more than 2, 900 fire department personnel and members of volunteer fire brigades taking part. The…...