GMO AI & Robotics Proposes Humanoid Robot Rental to Address Labor Shortages

GMO AI & Robotics is expanding its humanoid robot rental business, offering optimal robot implementation solutions to companies facing labor shortages.

Sat May 23 2026

Expansion of Humanoid Robot Rental Business

GMO AI & Robotics Commercial Co. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President Tomohiro Uchida) is expanding its rental business for humanoid (human-shaped) robots purchased both domestically and internationally. With rapid advancements in AI and robotics technology, there is a growing demand for robot implementation in workplaces such as factories. The company focuses on connecting robot manufacturers with businesses struggling with labor shortages, offering optimal implementation solutions based on the performance of various robots.

24/7 Operation and On-Site Applicability

President Uchida explained that "humanoid robots offer the ultimate automation, capable of operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be rapidly deployed through program replication." Established in June 2024, GMO AI & Robotics Commercial Co. not only handles robot transportation but also employs GMO engineers for on-site robot implementation. A key advantage of humanoid robots is their ability to be directly integrated into human environments. Demand is strong, and while initial uses were often single-event rentals for exhibitions, multiple long-term rental projects for actual business applications began to emerge in late 2025. Many of these projects involve factories producing small-batch, high-variety products, where research and development for basic tasks like 'grasping objects' are progressing. Since May, the company has also started a demonstration experiment with JAL Ground Service, part of the JAL Group, to explore the use of humanoid robots at airports.

Establishment of Physical AI R&D Hub

GMO AI & Robotics Commercial Co. recognizes that improving hand operation precision and other hardware advancements are crucial for humanoid robots to replace humans. Thus, the company is also focusing on technology development. In April, it partially opened a Physical AI research and development hub at its Tokyo Shibuya headquarters. President Uchida stated, "Data learning is essential for realizing a world where robots autonomously judge and act," indicating plans to advance software development to build models specialized for various industries and tasks.

*Source: ニュースイッチ by 日刊工業新聞社 (2026-05-23)*

Tags: #robot #ai #physical-ai #japan-economy #industrial-automation