Eureka Robotics (Headquarters: Singapore; CEO: Pham Quang Cuong; hereinafter “Eureka”) today announced that Subaru Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Atsushi Osaki; hereinafter “Subaru”) has adopted the Eureka AI Vision System as the robotic vision solution for picking operations in its next-generation factory initiative.
The system features “Masterless Picking,” a technology capable of recognizing and picking previously unseen parts without any prior image registration, annotation, or training. This makes it particularly suitable for automating processes that handle a large variety of parts.
The initiative began pilot deployment at Subaru's Oizumi factory in April 2026. Following evaluation and validation, the companies aim to introduce the system into mass-production lines within the current fiscal year, with future expansion planned for Subaru’s next-generation manufacturing facilities.
Background: Challenges of Conventional AI Picking Systems
As part of its company-wide efforts to address labor shortages, Subaru has been actively promoting automation and labor-saving initiatives across manufacturing processes.
While picking operations are considered highly suitable for automation, conventional AI-based picking systems typically require advance image registration of target parts, as well as annotation and retraining whenever new product types are added or changed.
As a result, production environments that handle a large variety of parts, frequently switch product models, or anticipate future increases in product variations face significant barriers due to the enormous engineering and operational workload required for implementation and maintenance.
Eureka’s Approach: Masterless Picking
The Eureka AI Vision System provides Masterless Picking functionality, enabling robotic picking without requiring any user-side part registration or annotation.
In the automotive industry, vehicle models are typically refreshed every two years, resulting in frequent changes to the components used in production. Conventional AI picking systems require extensive image registration and retraining each time even minor component changes occur. While human operators can adapt flexibly to product changes, such changes have traditionally posed a major obstacle for robotic automation.
The Eureka AI Vision System fundamentally eliminates the burden of retraining through its breakthrough approach.
Key Features of Masterless Picking
● No prior image registration required — immediate adaptation to new parts
● No annotation work required — eliminates manual teaching of shapes and features to AI
● No retraining required when adding or changing product types — ideal for high-mix manufacturing and frequently changing production lines
By removing the need for extensive preparation and maintenance, the system significantly reduces one of the largest bottlenecks in automating picking operations.
Why Eureka Was Selected
Subaru has been advancing automation and labor-saving initiatives to address growing labor shortages. Although picking operations offer high automation potential, the large number of product variations had previously made implementation extremely labor-intensive.
The Eureka AI Vision System was selected for Subaru’s next-generation factory initiative based on the following strengths:
● Designed specifically for diverse and previously unseen workpieces
● Dramatically reduced setup time through training-free operation
● Flexible scalability to support future increases in product variations
Taku Miyairi, Executive Officer, Senior General Manager Monozukuri Div. Gunma Plant at Subaru, commented:
“As labor shortages continue to intensify, reducing manpower requirements and automating manufacturing processes have become urgent priorities. Picking operations are relatively easy to automate because they involve repetitive tasks, but conventional systems required advance image registration and annotation, creating a major operational burden in environments handling many product types.
We see Eureka’s Masterless Picking technology as a breakthrough that fundamentally solves these challenges. We also highly value Eureka’s responsiveness, flexibility, and strong commitment as a startup partner, working closely with us from concept through realization.
Starting from deployment at our Oizumi factory, we hope to accelerate automation expansion to additional sites in the future.”
Hironori Ishimaru, Managing Director of Eureka Robotics K.K. (Eureka Robotics’ Japanese subsidiary) stated:
“Masterless Picking was originally envisioned primarily for logistics applications, where prior part registration was practically impossible. Through this collaboration, we confirmed that the technology can also deliver significant value in manufacturing environments.
We are deeply encouraged that Subaru recognized the potential of our advanced technology ahead of others and chose to adopt it.
Under our slogan, ‘Physical AI that delivers,’ we will continue working as one team to solve difficult real-world automation challenges.”
Future Outlook
Pilot deployment of the system began at Subaru’s Oizumi factory in April 2026. Following validation, the system is scheduled for introduction into actual production lines. Looking ahead, the companies aim to expand deployment into Subaru’s future next-generation factory initiatives.