DIC Group Announces Humanoid Robot CMF Design Concept Model — The DIC Group and partners PPG CAIC and AGIBOT will unveil the new concept at Design Shanghai 2026 —
- Exhibition & Event
- News Release
Tokyo, Japan—DIC Corporation and wholly owned subsidiary Sun Chemical Corporation today announced a new color, material and finish (CMF) design concept for humanoid robots created in collaboration with the PPG China Application Innovation Center (PPG CAIC), a subsidiary of prominent U.S. coatings manufacturer PPG Industries, Inc. in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and PRC-based humanoid robot manufacturer AGIBOT Innovation (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd. The partners will unveil this new concept as part of the Beyond Craft component of Design Shanghai 2026, Asia’s leading international design event, which will be held from March 19 to 22, 2026, in Shanghai.
Under the theme of “Asia in Color, Future in Motion,” the partners will display humanoid robots featuring colors and materials originating in Asia and presented in the Asia Color Trend Book 2026–27, published by DIC Color Design, Inc., which focuses on color trends in Asia.
For this exhibition, the DIC Group formulated color schemes, drawing on color trends in Asia and creating new colors by capitalizing on its pigment technologies, while PPG CAIC was responsible for film formation and imparting tactile qualities, for which it leveraged its coating technologies. The humanoid robots are provided by AGIBOT. This collaboration facilitated the creation of a CMF design by bringing together the unique capabilities of the partners in the formulation of concepts, development of materials and products, and provision of experiences. The Group will continue to propose applications for the new CMF design in diverse fields, including mobility solutions, construction, household appliances, cosmetics, and luxury fashion brands.
Design Shanghai showcases outstanding global design brands and products and serves as a valuable forum for Asia’s most influential architects, designers and creators in multiple fields to interact. Beyond Craft, launched in 2024, is a special section of the show that focuses on the aesthetics of traditional craftsmanship, highlighting colors, materials, and artisanship.
Dates: March 19–22, 2026
Design Shanghai 2026 official website: https://www.designshanghai.com/
Theme: “Asia in Color, Future in Motion”
① Asia Color Trend Book 2026–27
The latest edition of DIC Color Design’s Asia Color Trend Book, together with trend color and material samples produced using new pigments.
② PPG Trend Material Box 2026
Trend colors and materials proposed by PPG Industries, the world’s premier coatings manufacturer.
③ Robot Interaction Area
AGIBOT A2 humanoid robots featuring a concept model CMF design developed using Asian trend colors.
The companies propose an interface for the society of the future, for a time when humans and robots coexist, that not only delivers functionality but also inspires a feeling of security. Pigments today are no longer simply colorants but have evolved into materials that create emotional value using light reflection, depth, transparency and tactile sensation, among others. The CMF design concept created for the humanoid robots displayed imbues the robots with a lifelike presence thanks to surfaces that are warm to the touch and an Asian aesthetic that] combine to evoke a profound human–machine connection.
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