TOKYO, Japan, Sep 1, 2026 – Qualcomm has announced plans for an investment initiative in Japan’s robotics ecosystem, anchored by the Qualcomm Japan Robotics Center. The initiative covers robotics, physical AI and industrial automation, and aligns with Japan’s policy priorities on labor shortages, industrial competitiveness and the adoption of AI and robotics across industries.
Qualcomm will work with organizations including AI Robot Association, AMATAMA Co., APTO Inc., FANUC CORPORATION, Fixstars Corporation, Fujitsu Limited, KAWADA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., KDDI Corporation, MinebeaMitsumi Inc., NEC Corporation, NTT DOCOMO, INC., Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd., Preferred Networks Inc., Robotics Inc., Sony Corporation and TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION. The University of Tokyo’s Fukui Lab will support research and talent development.
“Japan has long been a global leader in robotics and industrial innovation,” said Nakul Duggal, EVP and group GM, automotive, industrial and embedded IoT, and robotics, Qualcomm. “Through this investment initiative and the establishment of the Qualcomm Japan Robotics Center, we are intending to create a foundation for deeper collaboration across industry, academia, and startups. Together, we aim to help accelerate the development, deployment, and global scale-up of next-generation Physical AI and intelligent robotics solutions.”
“Qualcomm Technologies has a long-standing commitment to collaboration with Japan’s industrial community,” said Yasumasa Nakayama, vice president and president, Qualcomm Japan. “Through the Qualcomm Japan Robotics Center, we look forward to deepening that collaboration, accelerating system-level innovation with our Japanese partners, and sharing the results of that work with the world.”
Qualcomm’s investment framework is built on four pillars:
- The Qualcomm Japan Robotics Center is a hub for collaborative research, development and ecosystem engagement.
- The ecosystem scaling program gives startups, developers, researchers and industry leaders access to Qualcomm products, technical expertise, enablement resources and collaborative innovation opportunities.
- The global go-to-market accelerator connects Japanese robotics innovators with global customers, partners and deployment opportunities to help them scale beyond domestic markets.
- The lighthouse initiative supports deployment of flagship physical AI projects across Japan.
Source: Qualcomm
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., is an American semiconductor and wireless technology company headquartered in San Diego, CA. Established in 1985, the company specializes in designing and supplying integrated circuits and system software for wireless telecommunications. Its product portfolio includes Snapdragon processors, modems, and platforms utilized in smartphones, automotive systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and industrial equipment. Qualcomm operates primarily through two segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), which focuses on semiconductor products, and Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), which manages its patent portfolio. The company serves a global clientele across various industries, including mobile, automotive, computing, and industrial sectors, leveraging its expertise in 5G, AI and low-power computing to drive innovation and connectivity worldwide.
