EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 36 (May 2025 Issue) |
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“Tomodachi Robot Project” Official Website Now LiveThe official website for the “Tomodachi Robot Project” is now live! It features information on the project’s objectives, participating robots, and related events.
Be sure to check it out.
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◆ What’s New! for Each Project: |
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Neurodiversity Project Interview Series, Episode 13 For the 13th installment of our interview series, we welcomed science communicators Ryu Miyata and Hitomi Kawahara from Araya Co., Ltd., along with intern Yusuke Sugita, to discuss “Working Together to Build a Better Future with Technologies That Augment Brain Function.” We’ve published the report, so
be sure
to check it out! |
[Panel Discussion] Neurodiversity Potential Project As part of “The World in Our Minds 2024: Neurodiversity,” the panel discussion “Neurodiversity Potential Project” brought together experts to exchange views on the future of technology and society. We’ve published a report summarizing the event, so
please take a look.
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Superhuman Sports at “SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025” Stage Events and Hands-On Sessions Held We held a Superhuman Sports stage event and hands-on sessions at the Future Experience Pavilion of “SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025,” an event organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.We introduced attendees to new forms of sports that fuse technology and culture, along with methods for realizing them. This included three competitions: combat sports using exoskeletons, digital sword fighting, and 3-on-3 battles utilizing motorcycle-style devices. Attendees also had the opportunity to experience MR-style obstacle course content firsthand. Click here for details.
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“Tomodachi Robot Project” Kickoff Symposium We have published a report on the “Tomodachi Robot Project” Kickoff Symposium held at “Chomorrow 2024.”Researchers, developers, and outreach representatives for uniquely Japanese companion robots—such as aibo, Romi, Pepper, Robohon, BOCCO emo, and PALRO—engaged in a lively exchange of views on the relationship between robots and humans.
Be sure to check it out. |
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◆ B Lab Chapter News: B Lab chapters are spreading across the globe, both virtually and in person. This month,
we bring you news
from the B Lab Kaiyo-cho chapter♪
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In Kaiyo Town, we’re working to create learning opportunities for children by repurposing a 150-year-old traditional Japanese house.
For local students at Kaifu High School, we hosted lectures and exchange sessions featuring alumni who had studied at universities abroad, and we also organized exchanges with high school students from Tokyo who were visiting Kaiyo Town as part of a study tour. By interacting with people they hadn’t had many opportunities to engage with
before and hearing their stories firsthand, the students were exposed to new values and began to reflect on these issues from a personal perspective.
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◆ Announcements
from Participating Organizations and Researchers |
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● [Event Announcement: May 21] Sustainability Innovation Network Tokyo #05 (SIN Tokyo) (Sustainaseed Co., Ltd.) SIN Tokyo #05, an event bringing together business leaders contributing to the field of sustainability, will be held.
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 21, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: NEXs Tokyo, 4th Floor, Shin-Tokyo Building, 3-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Theme: How Does Sustainability Change Corporate Value? Shaping the Future with Startups! ⇒ For details,
click here
● Appeared on the online program “NEWS TAKEAWAY” (Takumi Kataoka, Transform LLC) I appeared as a guest on the Amazon Audible show “NEWS TAKEAWAY,” which aired on April 18, and had a discussion with journalist Daisuke Tsuda on the topic “Lessons in Corporate Governance from the Fuji TV Scandal.”
●Hosted a “SF Prototyping” Workshop Retreat on Sado Island (May 24–26) (Koichi Iwasawa, Representative Director, Key Message International Co., Ltd. / Visiting Faculty Member, iU) From Saturday, May 24, to Monday, May 26, we will hold a “SF Prototyping” workshop retreat on Sado Island.The event is organized by Sci-Fi Prototyping Design, where I serve as a mentor. Guided by the spirit of “Freedom for Imagination,” this voluntary organization aims to foster business concepts utilizing science fiction, cultivate an innovative mindset, and promote future-oriented communication. ⇒ For details,
click here
● Early Registration Now Open for a Free Trial of “Sales Meeting Prep AI” to Double Your Closing Rate (Incubator Co., Ltd.) We are releasing an AI tool specialized for sales meeting preparation. Simply enter a company name, and the AI will analyze customer challenges and create a “proposal scenario” that leads to a closed deal. It enables high-quality preparation in a short amount of time and helps improve sales results. Scheduled for release on June 2—we’ll be offering priority access to the free trial to B-lab members!
● “Akiba Robolabo Meetup,” a new store where visitors can enjoy robot and EV demonstrations, sales, and workshops, has opened
under the JR Akihabara Station overpass (Yuichiro Yoshioka, Cross Bridge Co., Ltd.) "Akiba Robolabo Meetup," which opened on April 18 inside SEEKBASE—a commercial facility located right next to JR Akihabara Station—is showcasing "Yūsha Fai-Balion," a real-life transforming robot currently under active development.In addition to a piloting experience where the robot’s hands and head move in response to the operator’s movements, the venue plans to host various workshops on robots, EVs, 3D printers, and more. ⇒ For details,
click here
● “Chat-Based AI” Makes the Hometown Tax Donation Experience Even More Convenient! (Trust Bank Co., Ltd.) A new “chat-based AI” feature has been added to the official app for “Furusato Choice,” one of Japan’s largest comprehensive Hometown Tax donation sites! It suggests the best gifts for you based on your preferences, choosing from over 760,000 thank-you gifts offered by more than 1,700 municipalities—covering approximately 95% of Japan’s local governments.In addition, regional information is now easier to view, making the donation experience more enjoyable and convenient. We aim to create a new form of the “Furusato Nozei” program that highlights the unique charms of each region. An introductory video featuring Eliza Ikeda is now available. ⇒ For details,
click here
● A special event
blending sports and healthcare, hosted by TV personality Maomi Yuuki and former professional baseball players (Takafumi Hyuga, Visiting Professor at iU) On Saturday, June 21, at the Shibuya Ward Community Exchange Center in Nikenya, we will host a special event blending sports and healthcare, featuring TV personality Maomi Yuki and former professional baseball players Mr. Araki and Mr. Kurohane. We hope you’ll join us.
⇒ Click
here for details
●We are hosting an online symposium (Learning of Tomorrow) We will hold an online
symposium during lunch time (12:00 PM – 12:55 PM). We look forward to your participation.
・May 27 (Tue) “Imagining and Creating with Data Science: Shiga University’s Program for Training Highly Skilled Professionals in Data Science and AI”
Akiyuki Takemura, President of Shiga University
・June 4 (Wed): “Studying Abroad in Cebu [CBEA] Cebu Business English Academy
—The Reality of the ‘Zero-Yen Study Abroad Program in Cebu’: Learning Work Skills and English to Minimize Barriers for Japanese People Going Overseas”
Mr. Yuhei Teramoto, Representative Director and CEO, Strong Japan Holdings Co., Ltd. ⇒ For details,
click here
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May 2025, Vol. 36 Publisher: Nanako Ishido Editor: Mikiko KobayashiAddress: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo info@blaboratory.org
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