A consortium of five Japanese companies has launched what it describes as Japan’s first privately operated facility dedicated to collecting training data for humanoid robots. The J-HRTI Kanto Data Factory, located in Narashino, Chiba, currently houses 35 teleoperated humanoid robots and is designed to eventually accommodate up to 40 machines. 

The facility is operated by Japan Humanoid Robot Training & Implementation (J-HRTI), which was established in March by Yamazen, Tsumura, DMS (Digital Media Services), Fuyo General Lease and INSOL-HIGH. 

The companies are using the site to collect data that can help train humanoid robots to perform physical tasks in human-centered work environments. 

J-HRTI in a public statement said the data will be used to develop a foundation model for physical AI. The consortium also plans to make its training data and the costs involved in collecting it available to the wider industry. 

The consortium also plans to offer a service in which companies can install standardized data collection equipment at their own facilities. In return, participating companies would receive access to J-HRTI’s larger dataset.  

Addressing Japan's labor shortage 

The group plans to expand the data-factory model to 10 locations across Japan in fiscal 2027, combining larger regional facilities with smaller sites. Details on the locations and funding for the expansion have not yet been announced. 

Yamazen originally proposed the project as a way to address labor shortages in areas where conventional industrial automation is difficult to deploy. The companies believe humanoid robots could be trained for physical tasks in workplaces designed around human movement, creating new applications beyond traditional factory automation.