Japan to test humanoid robots with AI for military service
Japan is exploring the use of humanoid robots with physical artificial intelligence for defense purposes, citing a severe shortage of recruits for the country’s Self-Defense Forces.
Japan is exploring the use of humanoid robots with physical artificial intelligence for defense purposes, citing a severe shortage of recruits for the country’s Self-Defense Forces.
As Japan Today reports, citing sources in the Japanese government, the technology will be used exclusively in non-combat scenarios. The robots are planned to be used for patrolling military bases, logistical support, as well as for reconnaissance and rescue operations.
The research will be led by Japan’s Procurement, Technology and Logistics Agency. The agency plans to hold a competition among private companies and universities, where developers can demonstrate the capabilities of their robotic systems. Thanks to physical AI, such robots will be able to analyze data from cameras and sensors and adapt to perform tasks in real environments.
At the same time, Japan is currently rejecting the idea of using humanoids in direct combat due to the lack of clear international norms and the risks of AI errors when recognizing allies or civilians.
“We do not expect humanoid robots equipped with weapons to be used for combat operations,” said a senior official from the ruling party’s security committee.
However, the Ministry of Defense notes that artificial intelligence "can become an effective tool to replace or supplement operations performed by a limited number of personnel."
Recall that in March, the first humanoid robots Phantom MK-1 from the American company Foundation were brought to Ukraine to test their effectiveness in reconnaissance, logistics, and other tasks in combat conditions. And in July , the Brave1 defense cluster launched a grant competition for the development of humanoid robots for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
Although the humanoid machine industry is currently experiencing a rapid boom in the US and China, the Ukrainian program has an exclusively applied focus. “Unlike the global civilian segment, the Ukrainian program is focused exclusively on defense needs and military application scenarios,” said Brave1 head Andriy Hrytsenyuk.
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China is actively preparing humanoid robots for use in combat conditions — Reuters
China is actively preparing humanoid robots for use in combat conditions — Reuters
Brave1 launches a grant competition for the development of humanoid robots for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Brave1 launches a grant competition for the development of humanoid robots for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukraine received Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots for testing to evaluate their work on the front
Ukraine received Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots for testing to evaluate their work on the front
