Nvidia announces new AI model, expands Japanese partnerships

Nvidia expands AI push in Japan with new model, major industrial partnerships

Nvidia has expanded its presence in Japan by unveiling its latest artificial intelligence model, Cosmos 3 Edge, while announcing a series of strategic partnerships with some of the country’s largest industrial companies. The announcements came during CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to Japan and reflect the chipmaker’s growing focus on advancing robotics, manufacturing, healthcare, and physical AI technologies across the country.

The new Cosmos 3 Edge model, described by Nvidia as a “world model,” is designed to help robots and intelligent systems understand and interact with real-world environments more effectively. Unlike traditional large language models, the new AI platform can process a broader range of physical inputs, allowing machines to navigate complex environments and perform industrial tasks with greater accuracy.

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As part of its expansion strategy, Nvidia announced collaborations with leading Japanese companies including Fujitsu, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fanuc, and Yaskawa Electric. The partnerships aim to accelerate the development of AI-powered robotics, factory automation, and intelligent manufacturing systems as industries increasingly adopt advanced artificial intelligence technologies.

Speaking during the visit, CEO Jensen Huang said Japan is uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of industrial innovation. He noted that the country’s long history of manufacturing excellence provides a strong foundation for the widespread adoption of physical AI, describing the opportunity as a transformative moment for Japan’s industrial sector.

Japan is also making significant investments in AI infrastructure through Noetra Corp., which plans to purchase 27,500 Nvidia Rubin AI chips to develop domestic foundation models for robotics and automation. The government-backed initiative includes the construction of a large-scale AI data center scheduled to begin in 2027, with operations expected to start in 2028. The project is supported by major Japanese companies, including Sony, SoftBank, and Preferred Networks.

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Beyond manufacturing, Nvidia is strengthening its presence in Japan’s healthcare sector. Pharmaceutical companies such as Astellas Pharma, Daiichi Sankyo, and Ono Pharmaceutical are using Nvidia’s AI-powered biology platform to accelerate drug discovery, medical research, and healthcare innovation. The company believes agentic AI will play a growing role in transforming both life sciences and industrial operations.

Industry analysts say the latest announcements underscore Nvidia’s strategy to expand beyond AI chips by building a broader ecosystem spanning robotics, enterprise computing, and healthcare. As Japan increases investments in artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductor technologies, the partnerships are expected to strengthen the country’s competitiveness while creating new opportunities for AI-driven innovation across multiple industries.