Humanoids Summit Tokyo 2026 Event Report

Humanoids Summit Inc. (Headquarters: California, USA) held "Humanoids Summit Tokyo 2026," an international conference specializing in humanoid robots and physical AI, at the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center for two days from May 28 (Thu) to May 29 (Fri), 2026.

This summit, the first of its kind in Asia following Silicon Valley and London, attracted over 2,000 attendees from more than 30 countries. Leading players in the humanoid industry, including corporations, research institutes, startups, investors, and policymakers, gathered to discuss the social implementation of humanoids and physical AI and to conduct live demonstrations.

Against the backdrop of societal challenges such as labor shortages and demographic changes, humanoid robots are shifting from research and experimental stages to deployment in real-world society. As discussions expand beyond research and development to include mass production, policy, investment, and the development of implementation environments, this summit provided a global stage in Tokyo for debates on the potential of next-generation industries.

Opening the first Asian Summit, depicting the future of humanoids from Tokyo

At the opening, Terence Bennett, Executive Director of the Bay Area Robotics Association (BARA), gave the opening address on behalf of Modar Al-Awi, Founder and Chairman of Humanoids Summit.

Bennett emphasized Japan's unique strengths, such as its excellent robotics talent, innovation capabilities, and leadership in industry, while also discussing the significance of holding the Humanoids Summit in Tokyo.

In the following keynote speech, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Director of the ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories at Osaka University, spoke on the theme of "Humanoids, Interaction, and Real-world Deployment." Through demonstrations using his Geminoid, he discussed the possibilities of human understanding and robot coexistence.

Global top players talk about the current state and future of humanoids

Throughout the two days, domestic and international leaders representing the AI, robotics, policy, and investment sectors took the stage.

On the first day, McKinsey & Company analyzed challenges for the commercialization of the humanoid market, while Disney Research introduced robot designs that connect emotionally with people, and Sanctuary AI presented the potential of general-purpose humanoids to compensate for labor shortages.

Japanese companies and organizations also presented: GMO AI & Robotics on the front lines of domestic deployment, Honda R&D on next-generation robot hand technology, and Toyota Motor Corporation on the future vision of humanoid research. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry also gave a lecture on Japan's AI and robotics policy.

On the second day, Google DeepMind delivered a keynote speech presenting the potential of next-generation robots through the integration of AI models and robotics. Furthermore, Boston Dynamics presented its national robotics strategy, Mentee Robotics discussed connecting simulations with real environments, and Unitree Robotics talked about scaling robots. In a fireside chat moderated by Bloomberg Television, experts from Cooley LLP joined the stage to discuss the safety of humanoid robots, challenges for social implementation, and the framework for regulation.

In the investor session, future investment trends and capital flows in the humanoid and physical AI sectors were discussed, fostering active exchanges of opinions not just on technology, but also on the overall growth potential of the industry.

Corporate exhibition booths showcased latest technologies and live demonstrations

Approximately 50 booths exhibited the latest research results, products, and services in the fields of humanoids, physical AI, and autonomous systems.

At the venue, various companies conducted live demonstrations, allowing attendees to experience moving humanoids and AI systems up close. Many use cases aiming for real-world application, beyond the R&D stage, were introduced.

In the exhibition area, active networking occurred among companies, research institutes, and investors, creating a space for interaction that leads to the creation of new partnerships and business opportunities.