Press Releases 2026
SoftBank Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Begin Collaboration in Edge Data Center
Domain Using "AITRAS"
Companies launch field trial of edge AI application using AITRAS in an on-premise environment at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Yokohama Hardtech Hub
March 2, 2026
SoftBank Corp.
SoftBank Corp. (President & CEO: Junichi Miyakawa, "SoftBank") and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. ("MHI") launched a collaboration to explore new applications for edge AI in the edge data center domain by leveraging SoftBank's AI-RAN product, "AITRAS." As the first initiative under this collaboration, the two companies will conduct a field trial of an edge AI application using AITRAS at MHI's Yokohama Hardtech Hub ("YHH"). The field trial will take place in MHI's Edge Data Center installed within the YHH premises. Through this initiative, the companies will verify the effectiveness of high-speed AI inference delivered via secure and stable communications in an on-premises environment isolated from external networks.
SoftBank and MHI aim to create new value and use cases through AI-RAN while promoting the development and social implementation of next-generation AI infrastructure.
Background
In recent years, "AI Transformation"—the use of AI to advance the operation and maintenance of facilities—has been accelerating across various industries, including the energy and industrial machinery sectors. AI utilization in these fields requires an environment that balances communication stability with data security. Specifically, there is a growing demand for systems that can complete AI inference locally at customer sites (on-premises) without relying on the cloud.
Overview of field trial
To address these challenges, SoftBank and MHI will, as the first phase of their collaboration, build an AI-RAN environment powered by SoftBank's AITRAS within MHI's Edge Data Center located on the premises of MHI's YHH. The two companies will conduct a field trial by operating MHI's "Defect Detection & Repair AI Application for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Products" on this environment.
During the field trial, the "Defect Detection & Repair AI Application for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Products" will instantly analyze images of defective MHI products sent by field workers via smartphones. The trial will verify the application's ability to identify defective areas and determine appropriate repair methods.
Value of field trial
Through this field trial, the following three values will be verified:
1. Real-time analysis through edge AI processing
By completing AI processing within an on-premises environment isolated from external networks—independent of cloud connectivity—the system significantly reduces data transmission and analysis latency while ensuring stable communications.
2. Realization of high-level security and closed-network operations
The environment enables secure AI inference without transmitting confidential product data outside the network.
3. Improved efficiency and standardization of repair operations
By identifying defective areas through AI, the system reduces operational burdens that have traditionally depended on the expertise of skilled technicians.
Future outlook
By leveraging the respective strengths of both companies—SoftBank's technologies and expertise in AI-RAN and MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing), and MHI's data center facility and engineering technologies—the companies aim to build a scalable and highly reliable edge AI platform that can continue to adapt to the evolution of AI. Furthermore, both companies will promote initiatives to create new solutions that accelerate AI Transformation at customer sites.
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- About the SoftBank Research Institute of Advanced Technology
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Guided by its mission to implement new technologies into society, SoftBank Corp.'s Research Institute of Advanced Technology promotes R&D and business creation for advanced technologies that support next-generation social infrastructure, including AI-RAN and Beyond 5G/6G, as well as telecommunications, AI, computing, quantum technologies, and technologies in the space and energy sectors. Through industry-academia collaboration and joint research with universities, research institutions and partner companies in Japan and abroad, the SoftBank Research Institute of Advanced Technology is contributing to the creation of global businesses and a sustainable society. For more details, please visit the official website.