Japan to Buy 27,500 NVIDIA Rubin Chips for Robot AI Model

According to reports, Japan plans to purchase 27,500 next-generation Rubin chips from NVIDIA to support the development of a domestically developed foundational AI model for robotics applications. The initiative aims to strengthen Japan’s AI capabilities and reduce reliance on overseas technologies.

The newly established Noetra company has received approximately 387.3 billion yen (around $2.4 billion) in government funding, which will continue through March next year. Noetra will oversee the project and build large-scale data centers to support AI model development. Dozens of companies, including SoftBank Group, Preferred Networks backed by Toyota Motor, and NEC, are participating in the establishment and operation of the initiative.

The project is part of Japan’s broader strategy to enhance technological independence and strengthen national security by developing advanced domestic AI infrastructure. According to Noetra President Hironobu Tamba, Japan’s strong position in industrial robotics could provide the foundation for an alternative AI ecosystem beyond existing U.S. and Chinese solutions.

Tamba stated that the company aims to create “a true third option” in AI development, providing a platform that can be adopted by both Japan and other countries. Noetra was established to integrate fragmented AI research and development efforts from multiple companies into a unified national initiative.

The joint venture plans to release its first AI model by March next year and update it regularly. In the long term, Noetra aims to develop a specialized AI model designed specifically for robotic applications, supporting the advancement of physical AI technologies.

Noetra will bring together engineers from SoftBank, Preferred Networks, NEC, Fujitsu, and other companies that have already developed their own AI models. By combining expertise across the semiconductor, AI, and robotics sectors, the project seeks to accelerate the development of Japan’s homegrown AI ecosystem.

The development of domestic physical AI models is a key component of Japan’s strategy to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and robotics. The Japanese government aims to capture more than 30% of the global robotics market, which is expected to reach approximately 60 trillion yen by 2040.