KDDI targets autumn launch for humanoid robots

Japanese operator KDDI has expanded its partnership with digital avatar maker Avita, a move that lays the groundwork for the development of humanoid robots.

Nick Wood, Freelance writer

March 4, 2026

3 Min Read

Under the agreement, KDDI will supply the cloud and comms infrastructure to support remote control and AI workload processing, while Avita will be responsible for designing and constructing the robots.

If all goes well, KDDI reckons they will be ready for commercial trials by the autumn, and depending how that goes, they will be considered for use in the telco's retail outlets. February marked a significant shift in Avita's strategy with the acquisition of robot maker A-Lab, followed swiftly by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with another robot maker called Booster Robotics.

These deals heralded Avita's expansion into the realm of humanoid robots and physical AI, and judging by this week's announcement at MWC, KDDI is keen to come along for the ride. by Mary Lennighan

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