Hitachi, OpenAI, Google Cloud: Physical AI & Cybersecurity

Physical AI is a technology that connects AI-driven analysis and decision-making, derived from frontline data, to concrete actions, such as autonomous control and operation of various devices and equipment.

As its real-world deployments globally are being increasingly ramped up, Hitachi is rolling out its Forward Deployed Engineers (FDE) model, while expanding its partnerships with OpenAI and Google Cloud, to support physical AI integrations and cybersecurity. 

Toshiaki Tokunaga, Hitachi’s CEO, says: “Deploying AI is only the beginning. The real challenge is making it work safely, effectively and reliably in complex physical environments.”

Physical AI and Google Cloud

Hitachi will expand its alliance with Google Cloud to bolster FDE capabilities. The aim is to accelerate the real-world deployment of physical AI and cybersecurity solutions to protect against AI-generated threats.

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, says: “This partnership will better empower customers to implement AI agents and create value faster. 

“By integrating Google Cloud Security’s advanced solutions with Hitachi’s expertise in mission-critical domains, we will help enable our customers to innovate within a secure, trusted environment for the AI era.”

The teams will work closely with Hitachi’s Frontier AI Deployment Center to further enhance HMAX by Hitachi, which it describes as a next-generation suite of AI-powered solutions that helps drive social infrastructure innovation, by leveraging Gemini Enterprise. 

Gemini Enterprise complements physical AI systems that autonomously operate by capturing real-world conditions. Hitachi says the partnership will help solve frontline worker challenges through autonomous operations in complex environments.

Hitachi explains that leveraging the enhanced HMAX as a core platform, the two companies will help frontline workers through the autonomous execution of complex operations.

Partnering with OpenAI and cybersecurity

In the field of physical AI, where AI directly connects with the real world, more robust security than ever before is essential. 

To mitigate risks as physical AI is increasingly rolled out, Hitachi is partnering with OpenAI.

Working together, the two companies’ FDE teams will leverage OpenAI’s Codex to analyse the source code of mission-critical legacy systems and support safe migration through enhanced visibility into system design.

Tadao Nagasaki, President of OpenAI Japan, says: “Our work with Hitachi is an important step toward enabling the safer and more practical use of AI in Japan’s critical industries and social infrastructure. OpenAI is committed to developing and deploying safe and beneficial AI, guided by our mission to ensure that AI benefits everyone.”

Hitachi’s partnership with Google Cloud is also focussed on cybersecurity, using Google Cloud Security technologies and services, including Wiz for automated risk reduction and comprehensive visibility into cloud and AI risks.

Physical AI in manufacturing 

More than two-thirds of organisations (79%) are already engaging with physical AI and 27% already deploy or scale solutions, according to Capgemini Research Institute.

Plus, data from the International Federation of Robotics shows more than 500,000 industrial robots were installed in 2024. It estimates that by 2028, the 700,000 mark will be surpassed. 

Physical AI solutions are reaching commercial viability across business sectors including automakers, food and drink manufacturers and chip makers. 

Early adopters include FANUC, HD Hyundai, Honda, JLR, KION, Mercedes-Benz, MediaTek, PepsiCo, Samsung, SK hynix and TSMC, which all use NVIDIA’s industrial software and tools to accelerate industrial design, engineering and manufacturing.

Hitachi has also partnered with NVIDIA, having established the Hitachi AI Factory based on NVIDIA AI Factory reference architecture in 2025. 

What are Forward Deployed Engineers? 

FDEs are hands-on software specialists that embed directly with customers, providing end-to-end support. 

Their work can include everything from identifying management challenges, to early validation of value through building proof-of-concepts, to agile implementation to helping deploy projects into operations.

Toshiaki says: “As Physical AI gains momentum in sectors such as energy, rail and industry, there’s growing demand for FDEs to lead the implementation. Hitachi is meeting this demand.”