日本政府計劃向輝達（Nvidia）採購27,500顆新一代Rubin晶片，用於打造本土機器人基礎AI模型。新成立的Noetra公司獲得政府撥款3,873億日圓（約24億美元），將負責建設一座約140兆瓦的資料中心，預計於2028年6月上線。索尼、軟銀、豐田旗下Preferred Networks及NEC等數十家企業參與了Noetra的設立與運營。

Noetra的成立旨在整合日本國內分散的AI研發力量，降低對外國技術的依賴並強化國家安全。該公司由曾主導軟銀大型語言模型開發的丹波裕信擔任社長，計劃在明年三月前發布首個AI模型，並在數年內推出專為機器人應用設計的模型。日本政府的更大目標是到2040年佔據全球預估60兆日圓機器人市場的30%以上份額。

隨著全球開發能驅動精密機器人動作的AI模型競爭日趨白熱化，日本面臨一代產業工匠退休、技藝難以傳承的挑戰。輝達執行長黃仁勳表示，AI將使小型製造商能夠教導機器人學習新流程，把師傅的技藝傳承給下一代。經濟產業大臣赤澤亮正也強調，建構強大的AI生態系統對資源匱乏且易受災害影響的日本至關重要。

Japan plans to purchase 27,500 next-generation Rubin chips from Nvidia to develop a domestic foundational AI model for robotics. The newly established Noetra Corp., backed by ¥387.3 billion (approximately $2.4 billion) in government funding, will oversee the project and construct a roughly 140-megawatt data center expected to come online in June 2028. Dozens of major companies, including Sony, SoftBank, Preferred Networks, and NEC, are involved in setting up and operating Noetra.

Noetra was created to consolidate Japan's fragmented AI development efforts, reduce reliance on foreign technology, and strengthen national security. Led by President Hironobu Tamba, who previously spearheaded SoftBank's large language model, the venture aims to release an initial AI model by March of next year, with a robotics-specific model to follow within a few years. The Japanese government's broader ambition is to capture over 30% of the estimated ¥60 trillion global robotics market by 2040.

The global race to develop AI models capable of governing complex robotic movements is intensifying, while Japan faces the challenge of a retiring generation of industrial craftsmen whose skills risk being lost. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized that AI can empower small manufacturers to teach robots new processes and preserve master craftsmanship for future generations. Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa underscored that building a robust AI ecosystem is vital for resource-scarce and disaster-prone Japan.