Panasonic Energy opens new battery R&D hub in Kadoma, Japan

Panasonic Energy has launched its new lithium-ion battery research and development hub, the Energy Innovation Square, in Kadoma, Japan. The facility integrates various stages of development—from material research and cell design to prototyping—into a single location.

Approximately 500 employees specializing in product planning, technology development, and analysis will operate at the site. By consolidating processes that were previously spread across multiple locations, the company aims to reduce development lead times by at least 15 percent and seeks to double development efficiency by fiscal year 2030 compared to 2023 levels.

The center will utilize a new digital infrastructure to combine simulation data with practical test results, enhancing design precision through statistical analysis. Technologies developed here are intended for global application, including Panasonic's manufacturing sites in Nevada and Kansas. The facility will focus on diverse market needs, including high-capacity batteries for electric vehicles, high-output batteries for AI data centers, and solutions for drones, robotaxis, and humanoid robots.