XNOVA Wins GENIAC Selection to Build Power Tool AI Model Tool-VLA
The selection pushes construction-site robotics from inspection into execution, targeting the power-tool work that still depends on human physical skill.
Reporting from 1 source: ASCII.jp.
XNOVA, a Kyoto-based physical AI and robotics startup, was selected by NEDO for the GENIAC national project to develop Tool-VLA, an AI foundation model specialized in operating power tools. The company acts as representative organization, with Hilti supporting tool technology and major construction firms backing demonstration. The roughly one-year effort runs from fiscal 2026 into 2027, aiming to give robots the ability to perform construction work.
Construction sites already run robots for patrol, monitoring, and transport, but the work that actually builds things still depends on human hands. XNOVA's Tool-VLA is a Vision-Language-Action foundation model built to close that gap. The company will first establish the model on a dual-arm robot handling tools, then mount it on the four-legged patrol robots it already deploys, turning machines that inspect sites into machines that work on them.
Hilti provides tool technology and construction workflow expertise, and major construction firms will support demonstration. CEO Takashi Yatori said the project moves site automation from the watching stage to the making stage. The roughly one-year effort runs from fiscal 2026 into 2027.
- Screw fastening: target operation for Tool-VLA
- Pilot hole drilling: target operation for Tool-VLA
- Tightening: target operation for Tool-VLA
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.