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Newsletter N°87 - March 2026
🤖 Robots: Mitsubishi Electric Invests in Humanoid Robots to Power the Next Generation of Smart Factories
Mitsubishi Electric announced on March 13, 2026, that it has made a strategic investment in Lumos Robotics Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., a Chinese startup developing humanoid robots.The partnership aims to accelerate Mitsubishi Electric’s vision of fully automated “human-free” factories, where humanoid robots work alongside automated equipment on the production floor.
A Strategic Partnership Between Industry and Robotics Innovation
Through its Chinese subsidiary, Mitsubishi Electric (China) Co., Ltd., the company will combine its advanced Factory Automation (FA) technologies with Lumos Robotics’ expertise in AI-driven humanoid robot design and development. The two firms have signed a cooperation agreement and begun demonstration experiments in Mitsubishi Electric’s manufacturing bases in China, where humanoid robots from Lumos are already being tested for real-world industrial applications.
Where and Why the Robots Are Being Used
The robots will be deployed in Mitsubishi Electric’s FA component manufacturing plants in China.
These sites produce:
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Industrial robots and mechanical assembly systems
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Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
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Sensors and machine-vision equipment
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Automation software and control systems
Like many manufacturers in Asia, Mitsubishi Electric faces labor shortages and an aging workforce. By introducing humanoid robots capable of performing complex manual tasks, the company hopes to maintain productivity and flexibility in its factories—while reducing reliance on human labor.
The Robot:
LUS2Lumos Robotics, founded in 2024 in Shenzhen, has developed a humanoid robot called LUS2, standing approximately 160 cm tall.
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This model is designed specifically for factory environments and combines:
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Artificial intelligence for recognition, motion planning, and control
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Vision and motion sensors for spatial awareness and balance
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Modular mechanical design, allowing customization for various factory tasks
The LUS2 is not a consumer robot? it’s intended for industrial operations such as:
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Small-component assembly
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Handling diverse or delicate materials
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On-site logistics and parts movement
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Visual inspection and quality control using AI
