KDDI and Avita Partner to Develop Humanoid Robots for Real-World Service Roles

KDDI and Avita have announced a strategic partnership to develop humanoid robots powered by Physical AI. The collaboration, announced on March 2, 2026, focuses on systems for service environments including retail, healthcare, entertainment and cultural venues. Avita will contribute expertise in avatar creation, conversational AI and remote operation technologies. KDDI will provide communications infrastructure and data systems to support real time operation. The companies say the goal is to combine AI software with humanoid hardware so the machines can interact naturally with people in service roles. The partners previously worked together on remote customer service using digital avatars. Those systems operated at Lawson convenience stores and au Style and au retail shops. The new project expands the approach to physical robots that can move freely and communicate through gestures and facial expressions. The effort is motivated by labor shortages in Japan linked to a declining birthrate and aging population. Industrial robots used in manufacturing are less suited to customer facing roles that require flexibility and nonverbal communication. Operations such as greeting customers or responding to gestures have been difficult to automate. A concept humanoid model was displayed at MWC Barcelona, held from March 2 to March 5. The design draws on work by Avita CEO Hiroshi Ishiguro. It features a compact structure resembling the physique of an average Japanese person, silicone skin for warm expressions and pneumatic actuation for smooth movements. KDDI and Avita plan to begin commercial trials in autumn 2026 at real customer facing facilities, with possible use at au stores. The partnership also launches Avita's new humanoid and Physical AI business unit, which will handle development, sale and operation of the robots.