SB Intuitions’ VLA Foundation Model and Remote Support System for Manufacturing Automation Robots Selected for GENIAC, a Project Implemented by METI and NEDO
Aiming to Accelerate Robot Operations and Improve Task Completion Rates
September 9, 2026
SB Intuitions Corp.
SB Intuitions Corp. (“SB Intuitions”) announces that its proposed project, “Development of a Failure-Predictive High-Speed VLA Foundation Model and Remote Collaborative Operation System for Dual-Arm Robots Replacing Mass-Production Line Processes in Manufacturing” (“the Project”), has been selected through NEDO’s public call for the “Research and Development of Robot Foundation Models (GENIAC)” as part of the “Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructure for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems” implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
The Project focuses on accelerating a foundation model for robot motion through reinforcement learning, developing a system to predict task failures, and building a mechanism that enables remote human intervention and recovery based on the prediction results. SB Intuitions aims to accelerate robot operations and improve task completion rates through these initiatives.
Using approximately 10,000 hours of manufacturing-related data, SB Intuitions will develop a foundation model for robot motion and accelerate its operation through reinforcement learning. SB Intuitions will also develop dedicated models and algorithms for predicting task failures, as well as a system that enables remote intervention and recovery without requiring personnel to travel to the site when a failure is predicted.
Unlike conventional approaches that rely on collecting vast amounts of data to enable robots to handle unexpected situations (edge cases), the Project combines a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model with remote human intervention and recovery. This approach enables the overall system to respond to a wide range of situations while reducing the burden of data collection, which is expected to contribute to lower robot deployment costs in manufacturing and other environments.
SB Intuitions aims to develop a robotic system that achieves both high operational speed and high task completion rates, with the goal of commercial deployment in the manufacturing and logistics industries. SB Intuitions will also share the outcomes and knowledge gained through the Project to contribute to the development of robot motion foundation models in the field of robotics.
Comment from Yoshihisa Ijiri, President and CEO of SB Intuitions
“We are deeply honored that SB Intuitions has been selected as a participant in the GENIAC project. To date, SB Intuitions has been dedicated to the research and development of ‘Sarashina’ a homegrown generative AI. Following this selection, we will further intensify our efforts in developing robot foundation models and related systems, aiming to resolve the labor shortages and automation challenges facing Japanese manufacturing sites. In particular, we believe that failure prediction, remote intervention and recovery, and improved operational speed will be key technologies for enabling robots to operate more stably and efficiently while preventing operational downtime. Through this research and development, we aim to establish technologies that enable faster and more stable task execution by robots, thereby expanding the possibilities of robot utilization across various sites, including manufacturing and logistics.”
About GENIAC
“GENIAC (Generative AI Accelerator Challenge)” is a project promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) with the aim of strengthening Japan’s development capabilities and social implementation in generative AI. The project provides support for the provision of computing resources, assists in demonstration projects for data utilization, and facilitates collaboration with global tech companies for the development of foundation models, which serve as the core of generative AI, while also promoting the utilization of generative AI and application development.
Click here for the GENIAC Selection Results Announcement Page
About SB Intuitions Corp.
SB Intuitions, a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp., focuses on the research and development of the homegrown generative AI “Sarashina” series and related services, aiming to build Japan's leading large language models with top-tier Japanese language performance. Leveraging one of Japan's largest AI computing infrastructures and secure domestic data centers, the company develops a wide range of generative AI technologies, including language, vision-language, and speech models. Extending its R&D into robotics, SB Intuitions accelerates the social implementation of generative AI through open innovation in collaboration with academia.