Launching a "Humanoid Development Project" Utilizing Physical AI
– Towards a New Manufacturing Model Where Humans and Humanoids Collaborate in the Manufacturing Field –
March 31, 2026
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President and Representative Director: Hidetoshi Segi) has launched a "Humanoid Development Project" utilizing physical AI, under its "ROHTO Group Comprehensive Management Vision 2030 Connect for Well-being," with the aim of improving the well-being of employees and developing next-generation products, and will proceed with demonstrations.
Using the Ueno Techno Center, which implements Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) *1, as a demonstration site, we aim to establish manufacturing that can adapt to environmental changes through physical AI and data circulation, and in the future, we aim to introduce an optimal model in which humanoids collaborate with people on the manufacturing floor.
*1: CPS is a system that collects diverse data in the physical space (real space) using sensor networks, etc., and analyzes/transforms it into knowledge in cyberspace (virtual space) using large-scale data processing technologies, etc., and uses the information/value created there to revitalize industries and solve social problems.
Background
At our company, we are promoting the creation of an environment where every employee can work with enthusiasm, while responding to the changing manufacturing environment, including the increase in manufactured items and production volume, and the increasing complexity of the supply chain. As part of this effort, we have been optimizing our factories by implementing CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems) utilizing IoT and sensor technologies, centered around our Ueno Techno Center, which is based on the concept of a "smart factory that is friendly to people and the environment."
This project aims to achieve both reduced workload and increased productivity in manufacturing sites by promoting factory automation utilizing physical AI, which is only possible because of our existing CPS infrastructure. It also seeks to build a new manufacturing model that allows employees to shift to higher value-added tasks.
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Future outlook
Our company will gradually introduce physical AI within the following scope. Furthermore, we will leverage the CPS infrastructure we have built to date to accumulate technology while rapidly iterating on verification and improvement in an environment that links the physical and digital spaces, and verify safety and effectiveness.
- Automatic transport of lightweight objects
- Communication duties such as safety patrols and guidance.
- Monitoring during line switching
- Line support tasks such as packing boxes.
While conventional robots precisely repeat predefined actions, physical AI is evolving into a technology that interacts with the environment, taking change into account, and derives optimal behavior. Although the use of physical AI is accelerating overseas, in Japan, implementation examples are limited due to caution regarding safety and operational aspects.
Our company has established a system at the Ueno Technology Center to promote this project, and we will rapidly advance the demonstration while also considering collaboration with external cutting-edge technologies and expert personnel. Through this project, we aim to create a workplace that expands human potential, rather than simply replacing the roles of workers with physical AI, and as a company that believes in putting people at the center, we will strive to improve the well-being of our employees and realize sustainable manufacturing.
About Ueno Techno Center
The Ueno Techno Center, which began operations in 1999, produces Rohto Pharmaceutical's flagship product, eye drops such as "V ROHTO PREMIUM," as well as other over-the-counter medicines and skincare products such as Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. It also functions as a mother factory, serving as a base for quality control and logistics. In September 2022, the new C building of the factory began operations, and verification is underway to further utilize CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems).