KDDI and Avita Partner to Develop Humanoid Robots for Real-World Service Roles
Japanese telecom operator KDDI and technology company Avita announce partnership to develop humanoid robots for real-world service roles. Testing is planned to begin in commercial environments starting in autumn 2026.
Tokyo — Japanese telecom operator KDDI and technology company Avita have announced a partnership to develop humanoid robots for real-world service roles. This collaboration marks a significant step for Japan in the commercialization of humanoid robots.
According to the plan announced by both parties, testing will begin in commercial environments starting in autumn 2026. Initial test locations are expected to include KDDI's au retail stores and other customer-facing service facilities. This means consumers may soon see humanoid robots serving customers at mobile phone stores in Japan.
Avita is a technology company focused on robot research and development, holding multiple core technologies in the humanoid robot field. As one of Japan's major telecom operators, KDDI has an extensive physical store network and comprehensive customer service system. This partnership will fully leverage the strengths of both companies.
Humanoid robots are considered an important development direction for the future service industry. As technology maturity improves, robots can play an increasingly important role in retail, education, medical care, and other fields. As a country with a severely aging society, Japan has particularly urgent demand for service robots.
Industry analysts believe this collaboration will introduce new service models to Japan's service industry. Humanoid robots can not only alleviate labor shortages but also provide standardized service experiences.
Reference Sources: Robotics and Automation News