Mitsubishi Motors, Highlanders Ink MOU To Mass-Produce Humanoid Robots At Kyoto Plant
Mitsubishi Motors and University of Tokyo startup Highlanders will jointly develop humanoid robots for Mitsubishi's factories and mass-produce Highlanders' N humanoid at Mitsubishi's Kyoto Plant from 2027, in the first automaker-humanoid mass-production alliance in Japan.
Key Takeaways
Mitsubishi Motors and University of Tokyo startup Highlanders signed an MOU on July 9, 2026 to jointly develop humanoid robots and mass-produce the Highlanders N humanoid — the first automaker-humanoid mass-production alliance in Japan.
Production of the Highlanders N will start in early 2027 in unused buildings at Mitsubishi's Kyoto Plant, targeting roughly 1,000 units per month by the second half of 2027.
Mitsubishi will first deploy Highlanders' humanoids in its own factories to gather operational data, while contributing mass-production engineering, quality assurance, durability and safety design expertise.
The human-sized Highlanders N walks and performs manual tasks such as transporting parts and assembling engines, targeting Japan's mounting labour shortage.
Mitsubishi has already taken an equity stake in Highlanders and signalled further investment, as rivals like Hyundai (Boston Dynamics Atlas), China's humanoid makers and Paris startup UMA accelerate the humanoid race.
Kaan Tınmaz
Tokyo, July 9, 2026 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and University of Tokyo-born humanoid robotics startup Highlanders, Inc. have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new industrial foundation "where humans and robots work together," covering joint humanoid development, deployment inside Mitsubishi's plants and mass production of Highlanders' humanoid platform at Mitsubishi's Kyoto Plant. The deal is the first collaboration of its kind between a Japanese automaker and a humanoid robotics developer that includes mass production.
Two-Track Partnership
Under the MOU, Mitsubishi Motors will first deploy Highlanders' humanoid robots inside its own manufacturing facilities to accumulate operational data and know-how in humanoid robotics. In parallel, Mitsubishi will apply its mass-production engineering, quality assurance, durability, safety design and integrated mechatronics expertise to build Highlanders' Highlanders N humanoid at unused buildings inside its Kyoto Plant. The companies aim to begin production in early 2027 and are targeting a monthly output of roughly 1,000 units by the second half of 2027.
Why Automakers Want Humanoids
Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato described the deal as a way to "deepen our technological and business expertise in the field of humanoid robotics" while addressing Japan's mounting labour shortage. Highlanders CEO Hiroya Masuoka said mass production at Mitsubishi is a "significant step" toward domestically manufactured humanoid robots and Highlanders' broader physical-AI ambitions. The N humanoid is roughly human-sized, walks and performs manual tasks such as transporting parts and assembling engines — the workloads Mitsubishi plans to move onto the platform first. Mitsubishi has already taken an equity position in Highlanders and signalled additional investment.
When will Mitsubishi Motors start mass-producing Highlanders' humanoid robots?
Production of the Highlanders N humanoid is set to begin in early 2027 at Mitsubishi's Kyoto Plant, with a target of about 1,000 units per month by the second half of 2027.
What tasks will the Highlanders N humanoid perform in Mitsubishi's factories?
The roughly human-sized robot walks and handles manual work such as transporting parts and assembling engines, which are the first workloads Mitsubishi plans to move onto the platform.
Why is this Mitsubishi-Highlanders deal significant?
It is the first collaboration between a Japanese automaker and a humanoid robotics developer that includes mass production, aimed at building an industrial foundation where humans and robots work together and addressing Japan's labour shortage.
Who is Highlanders and what is its relationship with Mitsubishi Motors?
Highlanders, Inc. is a University of Tokyo-born humanoid robotics startup led by CEO Hiroya Masuoka. Mitsubishi Motors has already taken an equity position in the company and has signalled additional investment.
