AWS Japan Backs 51 Physical AI Projects as Startups Lead the Cohort
Startups make up about half of the 51 selected companies, and AWS Japan president Akihiko Shirahata calls them the main engine for putting physical AI into practical use, positioning the program as the next step in AWS's generative AI support in Japan.
Reporting from 1 source: ASCII.jp.
AWS Japan held the results presentation for its Physical AI Development Support Program on August 31, 2026. Of the 51 companies selected, 14 presented their progress, and about half of the cohort are startups. Highlanders showed its humanoid N and quadruped HLQ PRO, while ZEALS displayed the compact humanoid D1. The program, launched in January 2026, provides specialist technical support, AWS credits totaling $6 million, community building, and manufacturing matching.
AWS Japan has run generative AI support programs since 2023, backing more than 350 companies and organizations. The Physical AI Development Support Program, which started in January 2026, is the next step. It offers specialist technical support, AWS credits worth about $6 million, community building, and matching with manufacturers.
Of the 51 selected companies, about half are startups. At the August 31 results event, Highlanders showed its humanoid N and quadruped HLQ PRO, and ZEALS displayed the compact humanoid D1. Daifuku and Takenaka Corporation, both with long on-site data histories, also took part.
President Akihiko Shirahata framed the program around three elements: speed, on-site capability, and cloud, which he called essential rather than optional for physical AI development.
- Highlanders: showed the humanoid N and quadruped HLQ PRO
- ZEALS: displayed the compact humanoid D1
- Daifuku: participated with long on-site data history
- Takenaka Corporation: participated with long on-site data history
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.