J-POWER is advancing the implementation of "Physical AI," in which robots equipped with cameras and sensors grasp site conditions to make autonomous decisions and operate. As part of its Phase III (FY2026–2027) DX promotion, the company positions AI as a "partner" for its employees, aiming to advance the sophistication of maintenance and inspection for critical infrastructure.
PartnershipsData CentersJ-POWER
J-POWER steps into Physical AI, promoting automation of facility inspections via drones and robots
This article is a translation. Read the Japanese original
Specific initiatives include autonomous drone filming for power line inspections, "Unsafe Behavior Detection AI" that identifies hazardous actions from video footage, and the utilization of quadrupedal robots. Additionally, as operational support for thermal power plants, the company is working on an initiative to incorporate field expertise into specialized LLMs (Large Language Models) to assist with operational decisions and emergency response.
Regarding facility maintenance, the company is promoting a shift toward "Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM)," which determines maintenance timing based on sensor and inspection data. In line with this, they are also working on the development of a "Power Facility Inspection Robot Management Platform" to centrally manage multiple robots.
As an AI training foundation, the company is also proceeding with the construction of its own proprietary data center to handle critical data. The AI data center, being developed in collaboration with Hitachi, aims to utilize renewable energy and effectively leverage fluctuations in power generation caused by weather conditions.
Sources
- 「デジタルの言葉が聞こえない」と言われた電源開発が、DX開始4年でフィジカルAIに挑むまで （ITmedia AI+、2026-09-29）