NEDO Prize-Winning Program / "NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing ~Robots for Everyone to Use in Local Manufacturing Sites~" Now Accepting Applications

Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. will begin accepting applications as the secretariat for "NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing ~Robots for Everyone to Use in Local Manufacturing Sites~" (hereinafter referred to as "This Project"), one of the "NEDO Prize-Winning Programs" (hereinafter referred to as "This Program") implemented by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NEDO).

This time, under "Contest A," the theme is to promote the proposal and development of robot solutions that can be utilized for the automation of surface defect inspection in the automotive manufacturing industry. This project broadly seeks proposals and development of robot solutions that will help solve labor shortages and address the challenges faced by small and medium-sized manufacturers in local areas where many manual tasks remain.

Figure 1: Logo Mark for This Project

1. Overview of This Program

NEDO has launched "NEDO Challenge" (※2), a program that aims to discover seeds for solving future social issues and creating new industries by soliciting diverse seeds and solutions that contribute to solving technological and social challenges through a prize-based R&D approach in a contest format (※1). The program seeks to foster opportunities for joint research, promote the practical application and commercialization of seeds, and accelerate their development.

For application details, please refer to the following website:

https://www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/CD1_100435.html

2. About the Application for This Project

(1) Overview

This project will conduct a contest with the theme of developing and utilizing robot technologies that contribute to solving labor shortages in local areas.

In local small and medium-sized manufacturing industries, labor shortages are becoming increasingly severe in various processes such as processing, assembly, transportation, inspection, and packaging. However, many tasks still rely on manual labor. On the other hand, while the utilization of robot technology for labor saving and automation is in demand, its adoption has not progressed sufficiently due to reasons such as the burden of introduction costs, shortage of technical personnel, the need to handle diverse product types and small-volume production, and the burden of operation and maintenance.

The automotive manufacturing industry, in particular, is an industry that forms a broad supply chain, from automobile manufacturers to upper-tier suppliers and local small and medium-sized manufacturers. Promoting the development and introduction of robot solutions starting from this automotive manufacturing industry and disseminating the results within the supply chain is considered effective for expanding robot solutions to all local small and medium-sized manufacturers. Especially in the parts inspection process, which is essential for quality assurance, surface defect inspection such as checking for scratches, dents, adhesion, and color unevenness is performed by humans, and improvements in productivity through automation are expected. Furthermore, robot solutions that can be utilized for the automation of surface defect inspection address a common need across various manufacturing sectors and are expected to be applicable to other fields.

In this project, starting with the challenges of local manufacturing sites, "Contest A" will promote the proposal and development of robot solutions that can be utilized for the automation of surface defect inspection in the automotive manufacturing industry.

We expect proposals that address the challenge of labor shortages in local manufacturing sites and aim to realize robot solutions that are truly useful in the field. We also welcome joint proposals from applicants and potential user manufacturers, taking into account actual site issues, inspection objects, inspection conditions, and required inspection accuracy and speed. Matching events and seminars to support joint proposals will also be held.

Furthermore, we expect proposals from a wide range of entities with motivation, conceptual ability, and technical skills, regardless of whether they have experience in the automotive manufacturing industry or in inspection processes.

In addition, from the perspective of promoting robot adoption not only in the automotive manufacturing industry but also in a wider range of manufacturing industries, we will consider "Contest B" in the future, which aims to organize and visualize robot technologies and share knowledge such as use cases and best practices in an easily accessible format.

Figure 2: Overall Picture and Desired Outcome of This Project

(2) Details of the Application

[Contest A] Proposal and Development of Robot Solutions for Automating Surface Defect Inspection in the Automotive Manufacturing Industry

This contest will focus on the proposal and development of robot solutions that can be utilized for the automation of surface defect inspection in the automotive manufacturing industry (including related parts manufacturing) among the inspection processes of small and medium-sized manufacturers. "Contest A" will be conducted in two stages: proposal and development (Contest A1 and Contest A2).

Contest A1: Proposal

We will solicit proposals for robot solutions that can solve the challenges hindering the automation of current inspection processes, targeting surface defect inspection of parts related to the automotive manufacturing industry.

Contest A2: Development

Based on the solution concepts proposed in "Contest A1," we will develop actual working robot solutions and compete on inspection performance under competition conditions set by the secretariat.

[Contest B] (Scheduled for future application)

We plan to solicit knowledge such as use cases and best practices from a broader range of manufacturing industries, not limited to the automotive manufacturing industry.

[Prize Money]

Contest A1: Proposal

1st Place: 10 million yen, 2nd Place: 7.5 million yen, 3rd Place: 7.5 million yen, 4th Place: 7.5 million yen, 5th Place: 5 million yen, 6th Place: 5 million yen, 7th Place: 5 million yen, 8th Place: 5 million yen (one winner each)

(Total: 52.5 million yen)

Contest A2: Development

1st Place: 80 million yen, 2nd Place: 50 million yen, 3rd Place: 30 million yen (one winner each)

(Total: 160 million yen (planned))

Please note that the prize money for "Contest A2" may change depending on future developments.

[Future Schedule]

Contest A1: Proposal

・Application Period: June 30, 2026 (Tue) 14:00 - October 16, 2026 (Fri) 13:00

・1st Screening (Document Screening): October 2026 - January 2027 (planned)

・Presentation Screening and Awards Ceremony: January 2027 (planned)

・Prize Money Disbursement: April 2027 onwards (planned)

*Prize money will be disbursed upon application (entry) for "Contest A2." Please refer to the application guidelines for detailed conditions.

Contest A2: Development

"Contest A1" will serve as a stage gate for "Contest A2," which is scheduled to be held in fiscal year 2027. Specific inspection objects, inspection items, competition conditions, screening methods, application requirements, etc., will be determined in the "Contest A2" application guidelines to be issued later, based on the results of "Contest A1."

In addition, a limited number of additional applications will be accepted for "Contest A2" for those who did not win in "Contest A1" but wish to participate in the actual development.

Details for "Contest A2" will be announced later with the release of the application guidelines.

Details will be announced sequentially on the special website and Facebook as they are decided.

During the application period, matching events and seminars will be held to introduce the on-site needs of the automotive manufacturing industry and the challenges of robot adoption for prospective applicants with robot solutions. Opportunities will also be provided for experts to consult on the concretization of proposals and commercialization.

3. Application Briefing Session

This session will be held in a hybrid format, with both on-site and online participation. Those who cannot attend on the day can watch the archived stream later.

[Date and Time]

July 21, 2026 (Tue) 13:30 - 14:30

To participate in the application briefing session, please register in advance using the following application form.

[Application Form]

https://mri-project.smktg.jp/public/application/add/26177

*Please check the special website for an overview of the application briefing session and details of the application content.

[NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing Special Website]

https://www.challenge-rr.nedo.go.jp/

4. How to Apply

Please check the special website below, download the necessary application documents, fill in the required information, and submit them within the reception period according to the instructions on the special website.

[NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing Special Website]

https://www.challenge-rr.nedo.go.jp/

All costs associated with the application shall be borne by the applicant.

[Notes]

※1 Prize-based R&D approach

In foreign countries, governments and foundations set R&D goals and solicit numerous applicants, who compete with various ideas and approaches in a contest format. Upon completion of the development period, prize money is awarded to the top few who have achieved results above the target level. In Japan, there are not many examples of this method being implemented yet, but prize money is stipulated in the Civil Code, and prize money will be disbursed based on the Civil Code in this program.

※2 This Program

Program Name: NEDO Prize-Winning Program

Program Period: Fiscal Year 2023 -

Program Overview: NEDO Prize-Winning Program

https://www.nedo.go.jp/activities/ZZJP_100268.html