GMO AI & Robotics Acquires Various Robotics to Boost Japan’s Humanoid Robot Push

GMO AI & Robotics Trading Co., Ltd., part of the GMO Internet Group and a company driving AI and robotics into society, has acquired all shares of Various Robotics Inc., a developer of advanced robot solutions, as of Monday, December 15, 2025.

This move brings together some of Japan’s top robotics engineers and strengthens GMO AIR’s foothold in physical AI. The acquisition will allow the company to offer more advanced robot solutions aimed at tackling social challenges such as labor shortages and population decline while creating experiences that make people smile and feel moved.

GMO AIR operates under the slogan ‘AI and robots for everyone’ and functions as a general trading company for AI and robotics. It combines the GMO Internet Group’s wide range of products and services with the latest robotics technology. The industry has announced 2026 as the ‘Year of Humanoids,’ thereby indicating a significant effort to apply humanoid robots in various sectors other than just temporary staffing. They are now being used in factories, logistics, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and also in the government sector thus making technological advancement and practical usability more crucial than ever.

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Various Robotics is the partner with which the company has been collaborating to develop and market advanced robot solutions. By bringing Various Robotics fully into GMO AIR, which includes engineers experienced with humanoids, formula cars, and other robots, the company expects to create strong synergies to accelerate the social adoption of physical AI.

Looking ahead, Various Robotics will be renamed ‘GMO Various Robotics, Inc.’ and GMO AIR plans to expand in three key areas:

Accelerating humanoid robot adoption

The company will offer humanoid services that can be used practically across industries, helping address labor shortages.

Joint development of cutting-edge robot solutions

GMO AIR and Various Robotics will work together on AI control, manipulation, autonomous movement, and integration with elevators to create robots that directly address social issues.

Strengthening robotics talent and capabilities

By combining both companies’ engineering teams and leveraging Various Robotics’ experience, GMO AIR aims to form one of Japan’s top groups of physical AI engineers.

This acquisition marks a major step in GMO AIR’s vision of bringing robots closer to everyday life while solving pressing social challenges.