Kawasaki Establishes First Overseas R&D Innovation Centre “Kawasaki Innovation Centre Europe SAS”

Tokyo, February 26, 2026 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today the establishment of its new company, “Kawasaki Innovation Centre Europe SAS”, as its first overseas R&D innovation Centre in Strasbourg, France. This Centre will commence operations on March 1, 2026.

This Centre is located at IRCAD (Institut de Recherche contre les Cancers de l’Appareil Digestif) in Strasbourg, France. IRCAD is an internationally renowned centre that integrates surgical education, research, and technological development. Founded by Professor Jacques Marescaux in 1994 - himself a global pioneer in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and the surgeon who realized the Lindbergh Operation (the first transatlantic remote surgery).

By establishing a presence at this internationally renowned centre, Kawasaki will capture the needs of stakeholders including medical and nursing care professionals, connect with individuals and companies possessing cutting-edge technology and extensive knowledge, and actively promote co-creation and collaboration to drive business development in the healthcare field.

Initially, this Centre will focus on creating one-stop solutions by combining Kawasaki Group products—including the surgical robot system (hinotori™), autonomous service robot (Nyokkey), indoor delivery robot (FORRO), and indoor/outdoor positioning information solution (mapxus Driven by Kawasaki™)—with AI and remote technologies. Through these efforts, Kawasaki will address challenges such as supporting efficient hospital management.

Under its healthcare business vision “Co-creating the Future of Healthcare,” Kawasaki will operate this Centre as a “place of co-creation” where diverse people and companies meet, gather, think together, and verify while creating new value toward the creation of new solutions and optimal designs for medical and nursing care sites. Through this initiative, Kawasaki will contribute to the advancement of global healthcare.