Mitsubishi is joining the rapidly growing ranks of robot builders, with plans to build up to 1,000 of its Highlanders humanoid robots per month at one of the automaker’s ICE engine plants in Kyoto – and if the plan comes together, the automaker could begin mass-producing its new worker-bots as early as next year.

While the normals probably think of Mitsubishi as primarily an also-ran automaker, the company is recognized as a global leader in the automation and controls space –and it’s into that space that the company is planning to inject thousands of new industrial robots.

The humanoids, co-developed by Mitsubishi and Highlanders, a new startup from the University of Tokyo, will explore the development of the humanoid robots for use at Mitsubishi’s manufacturing facilities first, even putting them to work making themselves at the company’s former Kyoto engine plant according to a memo of understanding (MOU) signed by the two companies last month.

“Our collaboration with Highlanders represents a challenge aimed at building a new industrial foundation in which humans and robots work together,” explains Takao Kato, chairman of the board and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors. “At the same time, it provides Mitsubishi Motors with a valuable opportunity to deepen our technological and business expertise in the field of humanoid robotics. By utilizing humanoid robots in our own manufacturing facilities and supporting the production of Highlanders products, we aim to leverage the outcomes of this collaboration to drive our growth and enhance corporate value.”