# Japan's KDDI Launches Elyza Robotics With $190M Physical AI Investment

> KDDI launches Elyza Robotics with $190M plan to deploy 1,000+ robots by 2030.
- Title: Japan's KDDI Launches Elyza Robotics With $190M Physical AI…
- Summary: KDDI launches Elyza Robotics with $190M plan to deploy 1,000+ robots by 2030. Japan's KDDI and AI subsidiary Elyza launched Elyza Robotics to invest $190…
- Keywords: kddi, elyza robotics, japan, physical ai, robotics, fiscal 2030, 190m, technology, Japan's, Launches, Elyza, Physical
- Source: AI Insider — https://theaiinsider.tech/2026/10/27/japans-kddi-launches-elyza-robotics-with-190m-physical-ai-investment-plan
- Author: Greg Bock
- Published: 2026-10-27T10:44:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kddi, elyza robotics, japan, physical ai, robotics, fiscal 2030, 190m, ai, technology
## KDDI and Elyza Launch Elyza Robotics
Japan's KDDI and its AI subsidiary Elyza launched Elyza Robotics with plans to invest about $190 million in physical AI research and deploy more than 1,000 robots by fiscal 2030.
## Combining AI Expertise and Real-World Experience
The new company combines Elyza's foundation-model development expertise with KDDI's research and experience deploying technology in real-world operations.
## Physical AI Center of Excellence
Elyza Robotics began operations October 1 and will work on technology development and deployments in retail, logistics, manufacturing and services.
## Robot Foundation Models Development
Elyza Robotics will develop robot foundation models including vision-language models that combine image and language understanding and vision-language-action models that translate inputs into robot actions.
## Initial Robot Deployments in 2026
The company plans to begin proof-of-concept projects in 2026 using industrial robots, quadrupeds and humanoids from manufacturers in Japan and overseas.
## Physical AI Platform Development
Elyza Robotics plans to develop two supporting platforms: one for developing robot models and collecting field data, and another for operation through distributed AI inference and remote monitoring.
## KDDI's Physical AI Strategy
KDDI identified physical AI as a priority due to potential labor shortages in manufacturing, construction and services by 2040, according to Japanese government projections.
## Key takeaway

Japan's KDDI and AI subsidiary Elyza launched Elyza Robotics to invest $190 million in physical AI research and deploy over 1,000 robots by fiscal 2030.