Japan unveils first humanoid robot ambulance for maintenance and repair

GMO AIR, a subsidiary of Japan's GMO Internet Group, has launched the country's first ambulance specifically designed to service humanoid robots. The vehicle is equipped with specialized stretchers, spare parts, and tools for on-site repairs. It can transport damaged robots to a lab in Tokyo's Shibuya for further analysis if needed. The initiative was inspired by the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Championship in August, where a robot from the company's partner, URS Robotics, suffered damage during a race and was repaired within 10 minutes using spare parts. GMO AIR's senior researcher, Takahiro Takahashi, noted that approximately 30%-40% of humanoid robots experience component failures within three months of use. During stress tests, nearly all robots encountered malfunctions. This has prompted the company to develop a comprehensive maintenance system to support the integration of humanoid robots into society. The collaboration with URS Robotics also marks the entry of G1 humanoid robots into the Japanese market.