Mitsubishi Motors
Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors signed a July 2026 MOU with Highlanders to mass-produce humanoid robots at its Kyoto Plant from early 2027.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer founded on April 22, 1970, and headquartered at 1-21, Shibaura 3-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo. As of mid-2026 the company reported 27,695 consolidated employees and 13,498 non-consolidated employees, with capital of JPY 284,382 million on a non-consolidated basis. Mitsubishi Motors is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, with Nissan holding a 34% equity stake in the company since October 2016. The company has historically ranked among Japan's largest automakers and manufactures, assembles, or sells vehicles in more than 160 countries; it has been publicly traded since 1988 and has a long motorsport record, including twelve outright wins at the Dakar Rally and the manufacturers' title in the 1998 World Rally Championship.
On July 9, 2026, Mitsubishi Motors announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with humanoid robotics developer Highlanders to establish what the companies describe as a new industrial foundation for humans and robots working together in manufacturing. Under the MOU, Highlanders' humanoid robots are targeted to begin mass production in early 2027 at Mitsubishi Motors' Kyoto Plant, using currently unused buildings on that site as the dedicated production facility. The partnership has two stated objectives: Mitsubishi Motors intends to deploy Highlanders' humanoid robots within its own manufacturing operations to gather operational data and build internal expertise on human-robot collaboration, while simultaneously supporting Highlanders' mass production ramp by making available Mitsubishi Motors' established automotive manufacturing capabilities and facilities. According to the companies, this arrangement represents the first collaboration of its kind between an automotive manufacturer and a humanoid robotics developer that involves mass production, addressing labor shortages and operational challenges facing Japanese manufacturing. Mitsubishi Motors had already made an equity investment in Highlanders prior to the MOU and has indicated plans for further investment in the company.
Mitsubishi Motors can be reached at its Tokyo headquarters by phone at 03-3456-1111 (domestic) or +81 3-3456-1111 (international). All company and financial figures above are drawn from Mitsubishi Motors' official corporate website, including its Corporate Profile page and its July 9, 2026 newsroom press release describing the Highlanders MOU.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
HL Human
- Launch Year: 2027
Humanoid robot co-developed with University of Tokyo startup Highlanders under a July 2026 MOU, featuring a 19-DOF electrically actuated body; planned for mass production at Mitsubishi Motors' Kyoto plant from 2027 at up to 1,000 units/month.
Contact Mitsubishi Motors
WEBSITE
https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/PHONE
+81 3-3456-1111HEADQUARTERS
Japan
Company Facts
Founded
1970
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
employees 10000+
Primary Region
Asia-Pacific
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
Public
Funding Total
-
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Humanoid Robots AI Manufacturing Automation Robotics Automotive Industry
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