EL7.AI
StocksMedium•10 July 2026•
1 min read

Mitsubishi Motors Enters Physical AI Race with Humanoid Robot Deal

Key Facts

1Mitsubishi Motors signed an MOU with startup Highlanders to mass-produce humanoid robots at its Kyoto plant.
2Production is expected to begin in early 2027 with a monthly capacity of approximately 1,000 units.
3Mitsubishi Motors shares surged as much as 17% in Tokyo following the partnership announcement.

In a move reflecting the shift among major manufacturers toward integrating advanced technology into production lines, Mitsubishi Motors has announced a strategic pivot into the physical AI sector. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with startup Highlanders to mass-produce humanoid robots at its Kyoto plant. Production is expected to begin in early 2027 with a capacity of 1,000 units per month, causing Mitsubishi's shares to surge 17% in Tokyo following the announcement.

This shift comes as industry giants like Tesla and Hyundai race to develop robotic solutions to address manufacturing complexity and labor shortages. Per market data, this move places Mitsubishi in direct competition with firms like Figure AI, which raised $675 million in funding earlier this year (according to Bloomberg), reinforcing the value of the industrial robotics sector that experts expect to grow rapidly.

Looking ahead, investors are monitoring Mitsubishi's ability to convert this prototype phase into sustainable cash flows by 2027.