Qualitative sensory expressions are used widely in the R&D, evaluation, education, and training in the development of devices for humans, and significant trial and error is involved. The result is that it takes time for seeds for innovative technology to reach society. This program proposes to use “elaborate fakes equipped with sensors” to quantitatively understand qualitative sensory expressions and quickly deliver technology seeds to society by eliminating trial and error. The first target application is the medical field, and we will develop a bionic humanoid, an elaborate human model equipped with sensors to serve as a substitute for humans and test animals. This program will also achieve a medical revolution by developing a smart arm using robotic technology seeds to conduct precision surgeries from small openings. Expanding these results to other industries will lead to a new industrial revolution.

Key Points that Become Breakthroughs

Start the challenge in medicine, where the social impact is great

• As a platform that can be used in place of humans and experimental animals:
  The Bionic Humanoid as an Elaborate Model of a Human Body Equipped with Sensors

As the material realization of a social revolution brought about by deploying seeds of innovative technology:

• Deployment of seeds: Skilled robot Smart Arm
• Medical revolution: Ultra-precise treatment through small openings (nose or incisions)

The deployment in society of seeds of innovative technology by utilization of elaborate models equipped with sensors will also be conducted outside medicine and so bring about a social revolution, and a new industrial revolution.

Overview and background

• It takes time for seeds of innovative technology to be brought into actual application and reach the public.
• The process of research and development, evaluation, education, and training for equipment that affects human beings, in particular, involves many qualitative sensory expressions, requires trial and error, and is inefficient.
• By creating an elaborate imitation equipped with sensors that can be used in place of the real thing, qualitative sensory expressions can be understood quantitatively, trial and error can be reduced, and the process can be accelerated. The Bionic Humanoid will be developed as an elaborate model of a human body equipped with sensors, providing a successful example of this concept.

Impact on industry and society in the event of successful achievement

• It will realize quantitative, ethical, efficient research and development, evaluation, education, and training, and it will accelerate innovation.
• The concept and the elements of technology will be widely deployed in industry, bringing about a new industrial revolution.

Methods of resolution leading to achievement (approach)

• Bring together top world-level researchers in measurements, processing, materials, and robots to break through technical barriers. Pursue prompt collaboration with scientific societies in medicine and medical equipment as well as with standards organizations to overcome time and institutional barriers.

Management strategies

• Set targets that cannot be achieved without close joint research by the participating institutions.
• Technology development that is certain to succeed is assigned to major corporations, while the challenging development is assigned to universities and small to medium-sized enterprises.

Achievement Targets

• Develop a Bionic Humanoid that uses artificial materials to precisely recreate the structure of the head, in particular (membrane of 3-600 μm thickness, etc.).
• Develop a Smart Arm (operates with repeated positioning accuracy of 10 μm and delay of less than 100 ms), conduct simulated surgery with it, and show the possibility of a revolution in medical care.

Risks

• Taking the time risk of standardization and commercialization of results achieved, aggressively promote deployment in industry as elements of technology.

Project 1 Bionic Humanoid

Measure the characteristics of internal organs that are subjects of qualitative sensory expressions, and recreate them using artificial materials with embedded sensors

Project 2 Smart Arm

Using industrial robots arms as a base, develop a safe, intelligent, skilled robot that can be used close to people.

Project 3 Medical applications

Providing samples, etc., evaluating and using prototypes

Projects 4 Industrial applications

Industrial applications

Keys of the Implementation Structure

• Close collaboration with engineering researchers, physicians, and corporations.
• Hold management meetings with small numbers of participants, the main participants being the PM, Assistant PMs, and PLs, to conduct fast, flexible decision-making.

Approach to selection of institutions

• Designation without open call: Designate by name those institutions that possess the world's most advanced technology and will provide a powerful driving force.
• Designation by open call: Canvass widely for ideas by open calls regarding new needs, and engage appropriate research institutions.

Organization

Documents