Welcome, Shimizu’s Robot!
Shimizu’s Robot is an early stage humanoid designed for construction site inspection and operational support. Developed by Shimizu Corporation in Japan, it stands 155 centimetres tall, reaches a maximum speed of 5 kilometres per hour, and has a two hour runtime per charge. The robot has five fingers on each hand and is rated safe for use around people. Its overall Humanoid.Guide Skill Score of 2 places it in the preliminary stage of humanoid development, with navigation and manipulation each rated at tier 1. The machine has been tested at the Tokiwabashi Project, where Torch Tower is under construction. It patrols a predefined route while carrying a camera to capture site footage, supporting inspection activities in complex working environments. Multimodal AI helps it analyse visual information and respond to changing on site conditions. Ethernet and WiFi connectivity support integration with site systems, while its black humanoid form is intended for practical deployment in construction environments.
The robot combines basic whole body mobility with early manipulation capability for practical workplace tasks. Its navigation rating reflects a foundation for moving through work areas on assigned routes, while its manipulation rating indicates an initial level of physical interaction capability. Sorting goods is its listed capability, making it relevant to material handling workflows where items need to be organised, separated, or directed to specific locations. This can support construction logistics, storage areas, and other environments where repetitive sorting takes time away from skilled workers. Its camera based inspection role also complements sorting work by helping teams maintain visibility across active sites. With a human sized form, two hands, and a focus on operation near workers, Shimizu’s Robot represents a physical AI platform intended to bring automated support into demanding industrial settings.
Shimizu’s Robot is available as a prototype, with pricing listed at 88,000 USD through inquiry. Shimizu Corporation is one of Japan’s largest construction companies and is developing the platform in response to persistent labour shortages affecting the country’s building industry. Its real world testing at Tokiwabashi connects humanoid robotics development directly to a major construction project rather than limiting evaluation to laboratory conditions. The company is also pursuing a separate robotic arm system that learns painting work by observing human workers, signalling a broader strategy around embodied automation for construction. Shimizu’s Robot highlights the growing importance of humanoid systems in industries where sites change frequently and skilled labour is scarce. Its current early score reflects an initial deployment phase, while its field testing establishes a practical foundation for future construction focused robot development.
