THK CO., LTD. (Location: Minato, Tokyo; President: Takashi Teramachi; hereinafter referred to as “THK”) has contributed its high-speed, high-precision Linear Motor XY Axis Unit to a Sony AI* research project. The paper that outlined the results of this research was published in the international weekly journal of science, Nature (No. 8110) on April 23. 

* Sony AI is a division of Sony Research. 

In terms of how AI fares in the real world, it's no longer astonishing to see elite chess and shogi players outmatched by an AI system that has acquired the techniques, tactics, and strategies of human players through machine learning. However, conventional wisdom has long held that AI can’t keep up with humans in the realm of physical games and sports, which require complex interactions with real-world physics in a three-dimensional environment. This research project conducted by Sony AI sought to overcome that challenge, and THK provided the Linear Motor XY Axis Unit.

THK will continue to leverage the technology it has developed and its proven track record as a top manufacturer of machine components to contribute to the development of competitive AI technologies through its development expertise and core robot technology, which serve as pillars of the company's future growth strategy.

Sony AI Announces Breakthrough Research in Real-World Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (April 22, 2026)

You can learn more about this project on YouTube.
Project Ace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrGq8ltb-_E

Sony AI, a division of Sony Research, was founded as a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation on April 1, 2020, with the mission to "unleash human imagination and creativity with AI." Sony AI conducts research and development that combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence with Sony Group’s imaging and sensing technologies, robotics technologies, and entertainment assets such as games, music, and movies.

Note: This information was originally released in Japanese on April 23, 2026.