Insuring the Automaton: A New Venture De-Risks the Rise of Robots

HONG KONG – June 25, 2026 – As robots and artificial intelligence move from science fiction to factory floors and city streets, a critical question looms over boardrooms: Who pays when they fail? Today, a new strategic joint venture in Hong Kong aims to provide the answer. NASDAQ-listed Mint Incorporation Limited and insurtech pioneer YAS Digital Group Limited have announced the formation of YAS Robotics Limited, a company dedicated to crafting insurance solutions for the age of automation.

This isn't just another insurance product. The venture represents a fundamental shift in how we manage the risks of emerging technology. By embedding real-time operational data from AI and robotic systems directly into the underwriting process, YAS Robotics aims to create a new category of protection that could significantly lower the barriers to adopting automation for businesses across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. It’s a move that signals the maturation of the AI industry, where managing liability is becoming as important as developing the next algorithm.

The New Frontier of Risk

The demand for such a solution is undeniable. The global market for AI in insurance is on an explosive trajectory, with some analysts projecting it will surge from around $8 billion in 2025 to over $90 billion by 2035. This growth is fueled by the rapid integration of autonomous systems into logistics, construction, retail, and facility management—sectors where physical AI promises unprecedented efficiency but also introduces complex, novel risks.

Traditional insurance policies are ill-equipped for this new reality. They are built on historical data and predictable liabilities, frameworks that crumble when faced with a learning, adapting machine. An autonomous delivery bot that causes an accident or a construction robot that deviates from its programming presents a liability puzzle that standard property and casualty policies were never designed to solve. Recognizing this gap, many traditional insurers have begun adding specific AI exclusions to their policies, leaving businesses in a precarious state of uninsured exposure.

Industry analysts have been sounding the alarm. Tech research firm Gartner, for instance, predicts that legal claims related to “death by AI” incidents will surpass 2,000 worldwide by the end of this year alone. This stark forecast highlights the urgent need for specialized coverage that can accurately price the risk of AI-driven decisions and actions. Without it, the potential for catastrophic financial and reputational damage could stall innovation, leaving the economic value of autonomous technology—projected to hit $13.6 trillion by 2030—partially untapped.

A Strategic Alliance for a New Era

Enter YAS Robotics Limited. The joint venture, owned 75% by YAS and 25% by Mint, is built on a foundation of complementary expertise. Mint, through its subsidiary Axonex Intelligence Limited, brings deep experience in deploying advanced AI and robotics solutions across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. It possesses the one thing traditional insurers lack: a direct pipeline to the real-world operational data of commercial robots.

This data is the venture's cornerstone. “Our competitive edge lies in embedding real-world operational data of robots and AI directly into the underwriting and design of our insurance products,” stated Mr. Damian Chan, Chairman and CEO of Mint. The goal, he explained, is to move beyond static risk profiles and towards dynamic, usage-based insurance. By analyzing how a robot performs in its specific environment—its navigation accuracy, its interaction patterns, its maintenance logs—the venture can create far more precise and fairly priced coverage.

YAS Digital Group provides the other half of the equation. As an award-winning insurtech group licensed by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority, YAS has pioneered an AI-native embedded insurance platform. Its technology allows for the seamless integration of micro-insurance products at the point of service activation. For a business deploying a fleet of cleaning robots, this means insurance isn’t an afterthought but a feature activated and tailored from day one, potentially adjusting premiums based on performance and safety metrics.

“This collaboration enables us to gain deeper insights into the risks enterprises face when deploying robotics and AI,” said Mr. William Lee, Co-Founder of YAS. By synergizing Axonex’s data streams with YAS’s distribution platform, the joint venture can create what Lee calls “more precise and fit-for-purpose insurance solutions,” empowering businesses to deploy automation with greater confidence and efficiency.

Unlocking Automation's Potential

The immediate target for YAS Robotics is the burgeoning market in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, where scalable insurance for commercial robots has been described by industry insiders as “extremely limited.” Businesses have been forced to cobble together coverage from different policies, often facing high deductibles and slow, contentious claims processes. This friction acts as a powerful brake on adoption.

The new venture aims to replace this fragmented landscape with an integrated ecosystem. By offering data-driven, embedded micro-insurance, YAS Robotics can directly address the core concerns of cost and predictability that deter many small and medium-sized enterprises from investing in automation. A more predictable risk profile, backed by a specialized insurance policy, makes it easier for companies to calculate their return on investment and secure financing for new technology.

This de-risking effect could be a powerful catalyst for innovation across the region. As insurance makes AI and robotics safer and more financially viable, their deployment can accelerate, driving productivity gains in key sectors. The venture is not just selling policies; it is building a foundational layer of the automation economy, enabling businesses to embrace the future with greater sustainability and cost-efficiency.

Navigating the Competitive Landscape

YAS Robotics is entering a nascent but increasingly competitive field. Global reinsurance giants like Munich Re and specialized providers such as AXIS are already rolling out products to cover AI-related risks like algorithmic bias and model errors. However, the Hong Kong venture’s intense focus on physical robotics and its unique model of using real-time operational data for underwriting provides a powerful differentiator.

While competitors may focus on the software and decision-making liabilities of AI, YAS Robotics is tackling the complex intersection of cyber and physical risk inherent in robotics. This focus on tangible, moving assets gives its data-driven approach a distinct advantage in accurately assessing and pricing risk. Operating under the oversight of the Hong Kong Insurance Authority lends the venture crucial regulatory legitimacy, ensuring its innovative products are built on a solid compliance foundation. This combination of a pioneering model, strategic partnerships, and regulatory backing positions YAS Robotics Limited not just to compete, but to define the very category of robotics insurance in Asia.