Highlanders
Tokyo-based startup spun out of the University of Tokyo. The HL Human aims for domestic Japanese humanoid mass production by 2026, backed by a strategic Mitsubishi Motors investment and a vision of "eliminating labor with robots."
From University of Tokyo to Mitsubishi-backed mass production — Japan's most ambitious humanoid startup.
Highlanders Inc. (株式会社Highlanders) is a Tokyo-based startup founded in May 2023 as a University of Tokyo spin-out, building humanoid and quadruped robots for high-risk industrial applications. While many APAC humanoid companies emerged from existing industrial conglomerates, Highlanders is one of Japan's clearest examples of a research-to-market venture: led by CEO Hiroya Masuoka (代表取締役 増岡宏哉) with co-founder/CTO Shoma Uehara (上原昇馬) and a 31-person team and operations from Tokyo's Toshima ward through a development site in Tokorozawa, Saitama.
The HL Human prototype was first unveiled June 30, 2025. The 140 cm humanoid features 19 degrees of freedom (4 per arm plus legs and torso), 3D stereo cameras combined with LiDAR for SLAM and obstacle avoidance, a five-finger hand capable of gripping up to 3 kg, and a 48V power bus with Wi-Fi connectivity. Its standout differentiator: integration with Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, allowing operators to issue natural-language commands that the robot can interpret and execute autonomously.
On May 28, 2026, Highlanders announced a strategic investment from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation alongside a partnership to develop humanoid applications in automotive manufacturing. The company is now actively building a domestic Japanese supply chain for motors, reducers, batteries, and sensors. Mass-production targets are 2026; full specifications and pricing for the next-generation humanoid are scheduled for disclosure summer 2026. Highlanders' vision — "to eliminate labor with robots" — frames it as Japan's flagship indigenous humanoid bet.
Humanoid Robot Models
Highlanders' flagship humanoid robot. 140 cm tall with 19 DOF (4 per arm + legs/torso), five-finger hand capable of 3 kg grip, 3D stereo + LiDAR perception, VLA natural-language interface, 3 km/h autonomous walking. Mass production targeted for 2026.
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