JAPAN: Shiseido Company Limited has introduced a pilot program of deploying industrial humanoid robots on the assembly lines of makeup products at its Kakegawa factory—a first for a cosmetic manufacturer. One human worker and two humanoid robots work together to assemble various parts of varied shapes and materials, delivering finished products.


While humanoid robots cover the procedures that are hard to be automated with conventional machines and existing industrial robots, the human worker focuses on inspection of minor defects such as scratches, assuring the quality of products.


Through these measures, companies can develop a new manufacturing style in which human capabilities are fully engaged on-site, including cases when one on-site worker is in charge of management, inspection and assessment across multiple production lines.


In order to respond to this situation, Shiseido has applied for a project led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry called “FY2016 Demonstration Project for the Introduction of Robots,” and has developed, demonstrated and introduced a new manufacturing system with “collaboration of humans and robots” in a partnership with Glory Ltd., a leader in robot system development.