Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) has developed what it describes as the industry’s first machining system to enable seamless collaboration between humanoid robots and computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools through physical AI. The system is designed to automate tasks traditionally performed by machine-tool operators, including equipment setup, cleaning, finished-product handling, inspection and troubleshooting, helping manufacturers address labour shortages and improve production efficiency.
Manufacturing companies are increasingly seeking automation solutions as labour shortages intensify and the need for greater productivity grows. However, automating tasks that depend on human physical capabilities has remained challenging. Conventional industrial robots often require production lines to be substantially modified before they can perform activities such as positioning workpieces inside machine tools or cleaning equipment. These changes can involve significant capital investment, creating demand for more flexible automation technologies.
Humanoid robots offer the potential to perform a wider range of operator tasks without extensive production-line modifications. Their integration with CNC machine tools, however, has traditionally required dedicated communication functions and control sequences for individual robots, adding complexity to implementation.
Mitsubishi Electric’s new system addresses this challenge through three integrated components. An AI machining task planner interprets operators’ natural-language instructions, generates the required tasks and coordinates their allocation between the CNC machine tool and humanoid robot. A CNC machine tool equipped with physical AI exchanges operational information in natural language and collaborates with the robot during machining. The third component is a general-purpose humanoid robot capable of carrying out physical tasks.
Both the AI machining task planner and the physical AI integrated into the CNC machine tool use technology developed through Mitsubishi Electric’s proprietary Maisart™ artificial intelligence platform. By coordinating the components within a unified system, the technology eliminates the need for complex, robot-specific integration and enables machining operations and management to proceed with minimal operator intervention.
The development is intended to support manufacturers in their transition towards smart factories, where equipment, robotics and intelligent software work together to streamline production. By automating routine and physically demanding activities, the system could help reduce dependence on manual labour while enabling more consistent and efficient manufacturing operations.
Mitsubishi Electric plans to demonstrate the system at the 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2026), scheduled to take place at Tokyo Big Sight from October 26, 2026. The demonstration will showcase how physical AI can coordinate humanoid robots and CNC machine tools to advance the development of fully autonomous, unmanned factories.
