Kawasaki signs Rome's Gemelli hospital as first European clinical partner for its hospital-robot bundle

Kawasaki Heavy Industries said in a press release on Sept 14 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Rome to explore joint development of next-generation healthcare solutions using medical robots and digital technology.

The MOU, signed in Rome on Sept 11 by Kawasaki chief executive Yasuhiko Hashimoto, runs through Kawasaki Innovation Centre Europe (KIC-EU), the Strasbourg R&D centre the company opened in March 2026, and is that centre's first partnership with a European healthcare institution.

The two sides will also study setting up a permanent joint development hub inside the hospital for proof-of-concept and validation work. Kawasaki said its first aim is a one-stop package for hospital operations built from group products: the hinotori surgical robot made by its affiliate Medicaroid, the Nyokkey semi-humanoid, the FORRO indoor delivery robot and the mapxus positioning service, combined with AI and remote technology.

No money or timetable was disclosed. The deal extends a healthcare push MEKAWIRE has tracked this year, from Kawasaki's physical-AI centre in San Jose in May to the Home LEO elder-care robot prototype it unveiled on Oct 6.