NSK, a Japanese bearing and component maker, partnered with humanoid startup Atom to supply drive units for homegrown robots.
The two will also gather data for physical AI—technology that lets machines self-operate.
NSK aims for ¥100 billion in robotics revenue by fiscal 2037.
What happened
NSK announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tokyo-based startup Atom to collaborate on developing and implementing Japanese-made humanoid robots. NSK will supply actuators (drive units) for the robots, with both companies aiming to improve actuator performance and achieve mass production while collecting data for physical AI (AI that autonomously controls robots and machines).
Why it matters
NSK has positioned robotics as a medium- to long-term growth area and established a robot business division in March. The partnership supports NSK's goal of generating ¥100 billion in robotics sales (including bearings and actuators) by fiscal year 2037, and helps build a domestic, vertically integrated development and deployment framework for Japan's robotics industry.
What to watch
NSK also signed an MOU with Taiwan's Delta Electronics in May for robotics collaboration, signaling multiple partnerships as the company pursues its ¥100 billion robotics revenue target by fiscal 2037.
Ask the AI about this article →
NSK's partnership with Atom reflects the company's broader strategic shift into robotics. In March, NSK established a dedicated robot business division, signaling serious capital commitment. The May MOU with Taiwan's Delta Electronics showed NSK was already exploring international partnerships in the space, and the Atom deal now locks in a domestic collaboration that lets NSK control the supply of critical components (actuators) for a Japanese humanoid platform.
The emphasis on data collection for physical AI is notable: by embedding its actuators into Atom's robots and gathering operational data, NSK positions itself to learn how its components perform in real-world deployment, accelerating product refinement and mass production capability. This domestic, end-to-end development model—from component design to robot implementation—appears designed to keep Japan's robotics value chain intact and build competitive advantage in a field where Chinese and US competitors are already active.
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