Panasonic plans to start making humanoid robots for factories and warehouses by 2029
In short
Panasonic Holdings plans to begin producing humanoid robots by 2029, for use on production lines and in warehouses, the company’s AI director Akira Sakakibara said in an interview with Nikkei. Work is already under way at the company’s AI & Robotics Research Lab on AI models and other required technology, but Panasonic says it has no results to show yet. Battery safety is described as a key factor, and the company faces strong competition from Chinese makers of humanoid machines.
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Panasonic Holdings plans to begin producing humanoid robots by 2029, to be used on production lines and in warehouses. The plan was described by the company’s AI director, Akira Sakakibara, in an interview with Nikkei, as reported by Vedomosti, and was also carried by TASS and the tech outlet iXBT. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Panasonic has already begun research and development of AI models and other technologies required to build humanoid robots. Vedomosti said the project is handled by the company’s AI & Robotics Research Lab. Sakakibara said the company has nothing to present as a result so far: “Пока нет ничего, что мы могли бы представить в качестве результата”. Both iXBT and Vedomosti said the robot’s concrete specifications and the project’s detailed timing have not been disclosed. [ 2 , 3 ]
In comments reported by iXBT and Vedomosti, battery safety is presented as one of the important factors. iXBT said Panasonic expects to reduce the risk of fire associated with the batteries used in such devices. Vedomosti said Panasonic intends to draw on its accumulated experience in battery production and development. [ 2 , 3 ]
The Japanese manufacturer faces serious competition from Chinese companies that have moved noticeably ahead in developing and producing humanoid machines, iXBT reported. Vedomosti said Panasonic officially lists physical AI and robotics as one of the directions of its technology strategy. [ 2 , 3 ]
Vedomosti placed the announcement alongside Russian efforts in the same field, recalling that on 16 July KAMAZ said it planned to enter the anthropomorphic robot market in late 2026 or 2027 and is testing its own prototypes. It also recalled its April report that an anthropomorphic robot called Arcus could be tested for delivering goods to apartments in Moscow before the end of 2026, with the cost of such a device estimated at about 1.8 million roubles. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The plan places a major Japanese electronics and battery manufacturer in the emerging humanoid robot market, where Chinese companies are described as significantly advanced. Panasonic’s stated focus on battery safety points to where it sees an advantage, drawing on its existing battery business. Russian outlets also place the move alongside domestic robot efforts at KAMAZ and a Moscow delivery-robot test, indicating the topic is being followed as an industrial race.
Key facts
- Panasonic Holdings plans to start producing humanoid robots by 2029, according to the company’s AI director, Akira Sakakibara. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The robots are intended to work on production lines and in warehouses. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Panasonic has begun research and development of AI models and other technologies needed for humanoid robots, handled by its AI & Robotics Research Lab. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Sakakibara said there is nothing the company can present as a result of the development so far. [ 3 ]
- Battery safety, including reducing the risk of fire from batteries used in such devices, is named as an important factor and a task for Panasonic. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Panasonic faces strong competition from Chinese companies that have advanced in developing and producing humanoid machines, iXBT reported. [ 2 ]
- Panasonic officially lists physical AI and robotics as one of the directions of its technology strategy. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti recalled that Russia’s KAMAZ said on 16 July it planned to enter the anthropomorphic robot market in late 2026 or 2027. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Panasonic Holdings plans to start producing humanoid robots by 2029. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The planned robots are intended for production lines and warehouses. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Akira Sakakibara is Panasonic’s AI director and announced the plan; he said the company has no results to present yet. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Panasonic is already researching and developing AI models and other technologies for humanoid robots, including at its AI & Robotics Research Lab. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Safety of batteries, including fire risk, is cited as an important factor in building the robots. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The specific characteristics, specifications and detailed schedule of the robot project. Both iXBT and Vedomosti state that Panasonic has not disclosed these details.
- The scale, location and investment of any planned production. No document gives these figures; only a 2029 target year is mentioned.
- How Panasonic’s project compares commercially with Chinese humanoid robot makers. iXBT states only that Panasonic faces serious competition from Chinese companies; no figures are given.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Panasonic intends to build humanoid robots for production, with output possibly starting by 2029. [ 1 ]
- iXBT reports the plan, noting undisclosed specifications, Chinese competition and battery fire-safety work. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the plan, citing an interview with Akira Sakakibara in Nikkei. [ 3 ]
- KAMAZ said it planned to enter the anthropomorphic robot market in late 2026 or 2027, according to Vedomosti’s account. [ 3 ]