TOKYO, July 1, 2026 – Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (NRI; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) joined the AI Robot Association (AIRoA; Location: Tokyo) as a regular member in May 2026. By joining the association, NRI will accelerate its "Physical AX" (Social Transformation via Physical AI) initiatives through strategic co-creation with a diverse range of companies and organizations.

Driving Physical AX through AIRoA Membership

Under its "Medium-Term Management Plan 2026-2028," NRI has positioned "AX (AI Transformation)" at the absolute core of its growth strategy. One of the key social benefits envisioned in this plan is achieving "liberation from labor constraints through physical AI."
Physical AX is expected to play an increasingly important role in both strengthening industrial competitiveness and addressing pressing social challenges. Realizing its full potential, however, requires more than deploying AI or robotics independently. It demands an integrated approach that combines advanced technologies with deep operational expertise and real-world implementation.

AIRoA is a non-profit organization established in December 2024 to innovate robot development technologies by merging robotics with AI, thereby promoting the widespread adoption of robots in society. Following its inception, AIRoA has been expanding its full-scale operations since fiscal year 2025.

As a member of AIRoA, NRI will further strengthen and integrate the following core capabilities:

• 1.Digitizing Operational Knowledge (Transforming Frontline Expertise into Intellectual Assets):
  NRI will capture, structure, and standardize tacit knowledge embedded in operational environments, enabling organizations to preserve and leverage valuable expertise more effectively.
• 2.Deploying AX Platforms (Providing infrastructure that connects AI and physical systems):
  NRI will deliver robust infrastructure that seamlessly integrates and operates AI models, edge/IoT devices, and cloud environments to guarantee viable service delivery.
• 3.Expanding Cross-Industry DX Infrastructure (Implementing Ecosystems for Broader Social Optimization):
  Beyond improving individual organizations, NRI will promote society-wide optimization by designing and implementing ecosystems that connect industries, public institutions, and consumers.

[Reference] About AIRoA

Name	AI Robot Association（AIRoA）
Objective	By integrating robots and AI, the Association aims to revolutionize the technologies used in robot development and thereby promote the use of robots across society.
Main Activities	Advancement of AI Robot Development 1.Collecting, storing, managing, and publicly disclosing data necessary for foundational model development 2.Developing, operating, and publicly sharing foundational models and individual models 3.Facilitating a vibrant development Promotion of AI Robots in Society 1.Measuring and publicizing the efficiency gains achieved by AI robots 2.Assessing and publishing AI robot safety evaluations Other Activities, Any additional endeavors required to fulfill the Association’s objectives
URL	https://www.airoa.org/