Kawasaki Heavy Industries has opened a new physical AI development center in Silicon Valley, deepening collaboration between Japanese and American firms across artificial intelligence, semiconductors and robotics. The facility, called the Kawasaki Physical AI Center San Jose, was inaugurated with an opening ceremony on May 21, 2026.
The center will develop real-world applications for physical AI through partnerships with several major technology companies, including Nvidia, whose physical AI push spans a wide ecosystem of robotics partners, alongside Analog Devices, Microsoft and Fujitsu.
Healthcare and elder care come first
Kawasaki says the San Jose center will initially prioritize healthcare and elder care, sectors squeezed by labor shortages and aging populations in many countries. President and CEO Yasuhiko Hashimoto said the company intends to build a "hospital one-stop solution" that covers the entire in-hospital experience, from arrival, examination and diagnosis through to surgery and post-operative care, by integrating physical AI with robotics.
"What we aim for is NOT to replace people, but to deliver physical AI that supports human judgment and action, safely and efficiently," Hashimoto said.
What Kawasaki means by physical AI
Kawasaki defines physical AI as artificial intelligence that can autonomously perceive, reason and act within real-world environments through machines and robotic systems. The company argues that advancing such systems demands large volumes of operational "real world" data drawn from industrial settings, an area where its decades of robotics experience could prove valuable.
The center plans to combine physical AI with several existing Kawasaki platforms, including the Nyokkey autonomous service robot, the Forro indoor delivery robot, the hinotori surgical robot system and the Corleo robotic multi-legged vehicle. The approach echoes a broader industry shift toward smarter, more flexible systems, similar to the thinking behind new AI systems aimed at streamlining automation engineering workflows.
Divided roles among partners
Under the collaboration agreements, Nvidia will work with Kawasaki on AI and robotics integration, while Analog Devices contributes sensing and voice-recognition technologies. Microsoft will support cloud and AI platform infrastructure, and Fujitsu will focus on integrating AI with healthcare operations and robotic systems.
Kawasaki said the San Jose hub will also coordinate with its development operations in Japan and Europe to accelerate practical deployment of physical AI across industries including healthcare, mobility, logistics and service applications. The launch reflects a wider Japanese effort to scale AI-driven robotics, building on initiatives such as Japan's AI and robotics program for the ship repair industry.
The move positions physical AI as the next major phase of automation, extending well beyond traditional industrial robotics into service and care environments where demand is rising fastest.
Reporting based on coverage from Robotics & Automation News and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.