Tokyo Robotics
Tokyo Robotics is a Tokyo robotics company founded in January 2015 by Yoshihiro Sakamoto, its chief executive, and Yuki Matsuo, both alumni of the same Waseda University laboratory. Sakamoto has more than 20 years of robotics research experience and a PhD from Waseda in indoor localisation. The company specialises in humanoid and industrial robots with advanced torque sensing and impedance control, which lets them work safely and adaptively for manufacturing, logistics and service. Its main product is Torobo, a 1.66 m humanoid with seven-axis dual arms, torque sensing and ROS compatibility, which it began demonstrating around 2017 and which developed into a more recognisable humanoid the following year. Tokyo Robotics has raised about US$1.76 million, and it exhibited Torobo2 and the Torobo Puppet at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026. Torobo is used mainly by research institutions and companies developing robot applications, and pricing has not been published.
💡Notable Achievement: Torobo is equipped with torque sensors in all arm and waist joints, enabling high-performance impedance and force control for safe interaction with objects and environments in industrial settings.
What Does Tokyo Robotics Do?
Tokyo Robotics builds torque-controlled robots such as Torobo, an upper-body humanoid on an omnidirectional base for AI and manipulation research.
“Force-controlled humanoid for advanced manipulation research.”
Torque Sensing
Sensors in all arm and waist joints.
Impedance & Force Control
Safe contact with objects.
ROS / MoveIt Stack
Standard research tooling.
What Can Tokyo Robotics Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Precision force-control tasks with impedance control.
Torque-Controlled Arms
15-bit torque sensors in each joint.
Force-Control Tasks
Hammering, sawing and table wiping.
Omnidirectional Base
Four-axis omnidirectional base.
Deep Predictive Learning
Learns behaviour via ROS.
Tokyo Robotics Robots & Robot Hands
Showing 1 Humanoid Robots of 2 total models
Torobo
Manufactured by Tokyo Robotics
Torobo is a torque-controlled upper-body humanoid robot designed for advanced AI and robotics manipulation research, mounted on a 4-axis omnidirectional wheeled mobile base. Standing 166 cm tall and weighing 160 kg (standard configuration with base, battery, and compute; earlier prototypes weighed approx. 120 kg), it is equipped with dual 7-axis arms, a 3-axis waist, and a 3-axis neck, providing 24 active degrees of freedom. High-precision torque sensors in all arm and waist joints enable compliant impedance control, force limiting, and sensitive collision detection for safe human collaboration and delicate contact tasks like hammering, sawing, and wiping. Torobo executes ROS-based trajectory planning and MuJoCo simulation, integrating modular depth sensors and omnidirectional wheeled navigation for structured research, industrial automation, and assistive healthcare environments.
Tokyo Robotics Software & AI Ecosystem
Developer platforms, fleet management portals, autonomy intelligence, and enterprise integrations
ROS & MoveIt
Trajectory Planning
ROS with MoveIt trajectory planning and RViz.
Deep Predictive Learning
Skill Learning
Learned behaviours.
Tokyo Robotics Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Tokyo Robotics founded
Yoshihiro Sakamoto and Yuki Matsuo, alumni of a Waseda University lab, found Tokyo Robotics in Tokyo.
Source: aparobot.com
Torobo2 and Torobo Puppet at SusHi Tech Tokyo
Tokyo Robotics exhibits Torobo2 and the Torobo Puppet at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026.
Source: mikekalil.com
Tokyo Robotics Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Tokyo Robotics Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓High-quality force and torque control.
- ✓Standard ROS and MoveIt tooling.
- ✓Manufacturing, logistics and R&D reach.
Core Strategic Focus
Research labs and industrial R&D.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Very high price, US$500k–1M.
- •160 kg weight.
Tokyo Robotics vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Tokyo Robotics
- Wheeled Upper-Body Humanoid
- Pollen Robotics Reachy 2
- Open research humanoid upper body
- PAL Robotics Talos
- Torque-controlled research humanoid
- Toyota Toyota T-HR3
- Torque-controlled humanoid
- Westwood Robotics Themis V2
- Torque-controlled humanoid
Primary Use
- Tokyo Robotics
- Precision manipulation, force-control tasks
- Pollen Robotics Reachy 2
- Academic research
- PAL Robotics Talos
- Industrial tool operation, locomotion research
- Toyota Toyota T-HR3
- Remote telepresence medical care
- Westwood Robotics Themis V2
- Warehouse logistics, assembly lines
Weight
- Tokyo Robotics
- 160 kg
- Pollen Robotics Reachy 2
- 50 kg
- PAL Robotics Talos
- 95 kg
- Toyota Toyota T-HR3
- 75 kg
- Westwood Robotics Themis V2
- 32–36 kg
Battery Runtime
- Tokyo Robotics
- 3 h
- Pollen Robotics Reachy 2
- 8 h
- PAL Robotics Talos
- 1.5 h
- Toyota Toyota T-HR3
- 2.5–3.5 h
- Westwood Robotics Themis V2
- 4 h
| Strategic Dimension | Tokyo Robotics(Current) | Pollen Robotics Reachy 2 | PAL Robotics Talos | Toyota Toyota T-HR3 | Westwood Robotics Themis V2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Wheeled Upper-Body Humanoid | Open research humanoid upper body | Torque-controlled research humanoid | Torque-controlled humanoid | Torque-controlled humanoid |
| Primary Use | Precision manipulation, force-control tasks | Academic research | Industrial tool operation, locomotion research | Remote telepresence medical care | Warehouse logistics, assembly lines |
| Weight | 160 kg | 50 kg | 95 kg | 75 kg | 32–36 kg |
| Battery Runtime | 3 h | 8 h | 1.5 h | 2.5–3.5 h | 4 h |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Tokyo Robotics Headquarters
HQTokyo, Japan
Articles & Industry News
Showing 1 recent article and news updates about Tokyo Robotics
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Tokyo Robotics
What is Tokyo Robotics?
Tokyo Robotics is a Tokyo company, founded in 2015, that builds humanoid and industrial robots with torque sensing and impedance control, best known for the Torobo humanoid.
Who founded Tokyo Robotics?
Tokyo Robotics was co-founded in 2015 by Yoshihiro Sakamoto, its chief executive, and Yuki Matsuo, both alumni of a Waseda University laboratory.
What is the Torobo robot?
Torobo is Tokyo Robotics' 1.66 m humanoid with seven-axis dual arms, torque sensing and ROS compatibility, used mainly by research institutions and companies developing robot applications.
What is torque sensing and impedance control?
Torque sensing lets a robot feel forces at its joints, and impedance control lets it respond softly to them, so Torobo can work safely and adaptively next to people.
How much has Tokyo Robotics raised?
Tokyo Robotics has raised about US$1.76 million in funding, according to company profile data, and focuses on practical, deployable robots.
What is Torobo used for?
Tokyo Robotics targets manufacturing, logistics and service sectors, and Torobo is used by researchers and companies developing robot software and applications.
Where is Tokyo Robotics based?
Tokyo Robotics is based in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan, where it designs and builds its Torobo humanoid and industrial robots with torque sensing and impedance control.
How much does Torobo cost?
Tokyo Robotics has not published a price for Torobo. Customers such as research institutions request quotes directly from the company.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Tokyo Robotics datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.