Omron Corporation (Headquarters: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City; President and CEO: Junta Tsujinaga) announces its investment in Noetra Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hirohito Tanba, hereinafter 'Noetra'), which has been selected by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization of Japan (NEDO) for its 'Multimodal Foundation Model Development Project for AI Robots and Physical AI.' Omron will participate in Noetra’s research and development project titled 'Research and Development of Physical AI Foundation Technologies for Real-World Native Applications' (hereinafter 'this project').

※1 For details on the selection results of the public solicitation: https://www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/CD3_100431.html

Background and Objectives

The use of generative AI is expanding rapidly, intensifying global competition in AI development. It has become a critical challenge for Japan to secure and strengthen its generative AI development capabilities and build competitive AI foundation models domestically. In particular, in industrial fields such as manufacturing, where robots and equipment operate in the physical world, the importance of technological infrastructure capable of handling diverse data—such as images, video, audio, and sensor data—is increasing. The realization of Physical AI is expected to enhance productivity and improve energy efficiency in industries like manufacturing. There is a growing need for a domestic multimodal AI foundation model that can securely utilize on-site data and remain trustworthy and usable in the long term.

Under these circumstances, to strengthen industrial competitiveness and ensure data and technological sovereignty, core companies of Noetra—Sony Group Corporation, SoftBank Corp., NEC Corporation, and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.—are officially launching joint research and development of a domestic multimodal foundation model to serve as the basis for AI robots and Physical AI, together with various partners committed to the development and utilization of domestic AI. For more details, please visit Noetra’s website: https://www.noetra.co.jp/

Purpose of Participation

Omron positions its participation in this project as a strategic investment, aiming to deepen its understanding of AI foundation model development trends and strengthen its future business competitiveness.

Omron possesses diverse and high-quality primary data (on-site data) in its control equipment, healthcare, and social systems businesses. The company considers AI foundation models to be a crucial technological foundation for expanding data services based on this data. For example, in its social systems business, Omron has supported Japan’s social infrastructure—such as railways, transportation, and renewable energy—based on on-site operations. Japan’s social infrastructure is supported by unique operational cultures, safety philosophies, and disaster response mechanisms, making data utilization that reflects these characteristics essential. Therefore, Omron believes that establishing a domestic multimodal AI foundation model capable of securely utilizing industrial data within Japan holds significant importance for its business.

Future Outlook

Going forward, Omron will combine its high-quality primary data and operational expertise in manufacturing, healthcare, and social systems with Noetra’s foundation model to build a proprietary AI utilization platform capable of predictive detection and autonomous operation, advancing the development of new solutions. Simultaneously, Omron will contribute to strengthening Japan’s AI competitiveness and work toward social advancement and sustainable corporate value growth.

＜Related Links＞

Official Launch of Domestic Multimodal Foundation Model Development: https://www.noetra.co.jp/pressrelease20260716

Noetra Corporation Website: https://www.noetra.co.jp/

＜About Omron Corporation＞

Omron Corporation is a leading automation company, centered on its proprietary 'Sensing & Control + Think' technology. The company operates businesses in control equipment, healthcare, social systems, electronic components, and data services leveraging diverse data collected through these operations. Founded in 1933, Omron now employs approximately 26,000 people worldwide and provides products and services in over 130 countries, contributing to the creation of a better society. For more details, please visit: https://www.omron.com/jp/ja/

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Partnership