NEDO Launches Call for Proposals for the "NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing ~Robots for Everyone to Use in Local Manufacturing Sites~" Prize Program

NEDO announced today, June 30, the launch of a call for proposals for its new theme under the "NEDO Challenge" prize-based program: "NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing ~Robots for Everyone to Use in Local Manufacturing Sites~" (hereinafter referred to as "this project").

This initiative, designated as "Contest A," focuses on promoting the conceptualization and development of robot solutions applicable to the automation of surface defect inspection in the automotive manufacturing industry. This project broadly seeks proposals and development of robot solutions aimed at addressing the challenges faced by small and medium-sized manufacturers in local areas, where many labor-dependent tasks remain, thereby contributing to the resolution of labor shortages.

Figure 1: Logo Mark for This Project

1. Project Overview

Since fiscal year 2023, NEDO has been implementing this program, which aims to discover seeds for solving future societal issues and creating new industries by soliciting diverse seeds and solutions that contribute to solving technological and societal challenges through a prize-based R&D approach via contests. This approach seeks to foster opportunities for collaborative research and promote the practical application and commercialization of these seeds.

2. Call for Proposals for This Project

(1) Overview

This project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will conduct a contest with the theme of developing and utilizing robot technologies to address labor shortages in local regions.

Amidst deepening labor shortages in various processes such as processing, assembly, transportation, inspection, and packaging, many labor-dependent tasks persist in local small and medium-sized manufacturing industries. While the utilization of robot technologies for labor saving and automation is increasingly demanded, their adoption has been hindered by factors such as the burden of introduction costs, a shortage of technical personnel, the need to accommodate multi-product, small-volume production, and the operational and maintenance burden.

The automotive manufacturing industry, in particular, forms a broad supply chain, from automakers to upper-tier suppliers and local small and medium-sized manufacturers. Developing and introducing robot solutions starting from this industry and disseminating the results within the supply chain is considered an effective approach for expanding robot solutions to local small and medium-sized manufacturers as a whole. Especially in the parts inspection process, which is crucial for quality assurance, surface defect inspection, such as checking for scratches, dents, foreign matter, and color unevenness, is still performed manually, and automation is expected to maintain and improve productivity. Furthermore, robot solutions applicable to the automation of surface defect inspection address a common need across various manufacturing sectors, making it an area with potential for cross-sectoral application.

This project, starting from the challenges in local manufacturing sites, will promote the conceptualization and development of robot solutions applicable to the automation of surface defect inspection in the automotive manufacturing industry through "Contest A."

We anticipate proposals that tackle the challenge of labor shortages in local manufacturing sites and strive to realize robot solutions that are genuinely useful in practice. 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 will be held to support joint proposals.

Furthermore, we encourage proposals from a wide range of entities possessing motivation, conceptualization ability, and technical skills, regardless of whether they have prior implementation experience in the automotive manufacturing industry or in inspection processes.

In addition, from the perspective of promoting robot adoption across a broader range of manufacturing industries beyond automotive manufacturing, we are considering a "Contest B" in the future, which will focus on organizing and visualizing robot technologies and consolidating knowledge such as use cases and best practices for easy reference.

Figure 2: Overall Picture and Desired State of This Project

(2) About the Contest

[Contest A] Conceptualization and Development of Robot Solutions Applicable to the Automation of Surface Defect Inspection in the Automotive Manufacturing Industry

This contest will focus on the conceptualization and development of robot solutions applicable to the automation of surface defect inspection in the automotive manufacturing industry (including related parts manufacturing) within the inspection processes of small and medium-sized manufacturers. "Contest A" is planned to be conducted in two stages: conceptual proposal and development (Contest A1 and Contest A2).

Contest A1: Conceptual Proposal

We will solicit conceptual proposals for robot solutions that can be used to solve the challenges hindering the automation of current inspection processes for 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 materialize them into actual working robot solutions and compete on inspection performance under competition conditions set by the secretariat.

[Contest B] (Planned for future solicitation)

With the aim of promoting robot adoption in a wider range of manufacturing industries beyond automotive manufacturing, we plan to solicit knowledge such as use cases and best practices.

[Prize Money]

Contest A1: Conceptual 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 review status.

Contest A1: Conceptual Proposal

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

・1st Screening (Document Review): 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 defined in the "Contest A2" application guidelines to be issued later, based on the results of "Contest A1."

Additionally, a limited number of additional slots will be established for a supplementary recruitment, allowing participation in the actual development "Contest A2" even for those who were not awardees of "Contest A1."

Details for "Contest A2" will be announced later through public application guidelines.

Details regarding various aspects will be sequentially announced on the special website and Facebook as they are finalized.

During the application period, matching events and seminars will be held to introduce the 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 refining proposals and commercialization.

(3) Project Period

Fiscal Year 2026 - Fiscal Year 2027

(4) Application Period (Contest A1)

June 30, 2026 (Tuesday) 14:00 - October 16, 2026 (Friday) 13:00

3. Application Briefing Session

This session will be held in a hybrid format, with both on-site and online participation options. Those unable to attend on the day can view the archived stream later.

[Date and Time]

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

Please pre-register for the briefing session using the application form below.

[Application Form] https://mri-project.smktg.jp/public/application/add/26177

*Please check the special website for an overview of the briefing session and details of the call for proposals.

[NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing Special Website]

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

4. Application Method, etc.

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

[NEDO Challenge, Robot Solutions for Manufacturing Special Website]

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

Please note that all costs associated with the application will 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 through contests. Upon completion of the development period, prize money is paid to the top few entities that have achieved results exceeding the target level. In Japan, there are not yet many examples of this method being implemented, but prize money is stipulated in the Civil Code, and prize money will be disbursed based on the Civil Code under this program.

*2 This Program

Project Name: NEDO Prize-based Program

Project Period: Fiscal Year 2023 -

Project Overview: NEDO Prize-based Program https://www.nedo.go.jp/activities/ZZJP_100268.html