AI Japan AI startup trains Chinese humanoid robots in Japanese-style hospitality

Japanese AI startup Zeals is introducing Chinese-made humanoid robots for use in places like hospitals, taking what it calls a "born in China, raised in Japan" approach amid domestic robot development that has fallen behind.


The company began demonstration tests last month using the G1 robot developed by Unitree Robotics in China. Zeals sets the tasks and designs how the robot moves and responds. At the University of Tsukuba Hospital in Ibaraki prefecture, a G1 unit on after-hours patrol was able to answer questions in Japanese and guide patients to locations such as the blood lab without assistance. The hospital setting, built for human movement, allowed the humanoid robot to operate with minimal adjustment.

Zeal's CEO, Masahiro Shimizu, said that adding elements of Japanese-style service, attention to detail, and a certain demeanour could also make the robots more appealing overseas. A hackathon using the G1 was held at a facility in Kanagawa prefecture on 27–28 March. Twenty-three people took part, including university students and others with no programming experience, using AI tools to operate the robot.

In Japan, a G1 can be purchased for around 5 million yen ($31,000). Demand is strong from startups looking to accumulate knowledge required to operate robots as quickly as possible. While some companies outside China like Tesla, Toyota Motor and Kawasaki Heavy Industries are developing humanoid robots, none are commercially available. Some in the U.S. have voiced concerns about the rapid expansion of Chinese robots. Last month, lawmakers introduced a bill to Congress that would ban the procurement and use of Chinese robots, raising concerns about data leaks and risks to national security. While the Japanese government is rushing to foster the development of domestic models, there are no rules regarding the use of foreign-made robots.

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