Shimizu Corp. is launching a full-scale effort to implement "Physical AI"—artificial intelligence designed to control machinery and robotics—directly on construction sites. The major Japanese contractor is currently conducting practical trials, including autonomous site patrols by humanoid robots carrying cameras, as well as painting operations performed by robotic arms that have learned by imitating human movements. The effectiveness of these technologies is actively being verified at locations including the construction site of Torch Tower—set to become Japan's tallest building—in front of the Nihonbashi exit of Tokyo Station.

"Physical AI" serves as an umbrella term for a suite of AI technologies that assess real-world conditions through cameras and sensors to optimally control robotic and mechanical systems.

As a core component of this technology, Shimizu Corp. is focusing on AI-powered robots capable of operating flexibly according to situational changes, much like human workers. Traditionally, robots deployed at construction sites could only perform pre-programmed sequences, rendering them task-specific machinery. Shimizu expects AI robots to function as versatile, general-purpose machines capable of handling multiple distinct operations.

At the Torch Tower construction site, a camera-equipped humanoid robot autonomously navigates pre-designated routes at a speed of 1 meter per second while sensing and interpreting real-time conditions. Moving forward, the company plans to analyze video captured by these robots using multimodal Large Language Models (LLMs) to achieve even higher efficiency during site patrols.

To support the full-scale rollout of Physical AI centered around AI robotics, Shimizu is establishing a site-specific "AI Ecosystem". By maintaining a continuous development cycle—encompassing site data collection, analysis, simulation, AI model training, and on-site implementation—the company aims to steadily broaden the operational scope of construction robotics.

Furthermore, this framework will archive and model the invaluable expertise of an aging workforce of master craftspeople to ensure seamless knowledge transfer. Shimizu is advancing this comprehensive suite of initiatives in technical collaboration with multiple corporate partners, including Sony Group.　(2026/07/09)