Innovative Corporate Training on Physical AI by Prox Industries and Toyota Boshoku

Prox Industries and Toyota Boshoku's Training on Physical AI

In an exciting initiative, Prox Industries, a startup emerging from the University of Tokyo's Matsuo Lab, conducted a corporate training session focusing on "Physical AI" for Toyota Boshoku. This memorable online event occurred on December 8, 2025, and saw participation from about 15 employees within the strategic planning department and the CVC group.

The concept of "Physical AI" expands the applications of generative AI into the physical world, particularly in areas like handling flexible materials and managing complex multi-step processes that were previously difficult to automate. Understanding these new technologies is essential for identifying the next generation of production techniques and investment opportunities in manufacturing.

Toyota Boshoku has been actively accelerating its technology scouting efforts in advanced domains through Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) activities. This training session was an integral part of that effort, aimed at empowering employees with insights into emerging technologies and their implications for production.

The training had several key goals: enhancing the foundational understanding of generative AI, providing insights into Physical AI technology, exploring its adaptability across Factory Automation (FA) territory, and discussing future technological prospects relating to these innovations. By focusing on both the realities of the field and future technological trends, the session aimed to bridge the gap between feasibility and investment decision-making.

Insights from Key Participants

Comment from Mr. Kakimoto, Strategic Promotion Office, Toyota Boshoku

"This training allowed us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends in AI and its potential applications in robotics. It provided significant motivation for our activities on the manufacturing floor. We aim to continue collaborating with startups possessing advanced technologies through our CVC initiatives, to innovate the next generation of manufacturing operations."

Comment from Mr. Yuji Kamei, CEO of Prox Industries

"Physical AI is a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing sector by pushing generative AI technology from the information space into the physical world. It holds significant promise for automating processes that have traditionally posed challenges, such as handling flexible materials and multi-step procedures. My hope is that this training enhances clarity regarding the maturity level and future roadmap of this technology, fostering opportunities for concrete investment and collaboration. We will persist in accurately capturing the rapid evolution of Physical AI and robustly promoting the implementation of advanced technologies based on academic insights in partnership with our corporate collaborators."