R&D Project

Goal 3 R&D Projects (Selected in 2020)Collaborative AI robots for adaptation of diverse environments and innovation of infrastructure construction
Project manager (PM)NAGATANI KeijiProfessor, Institute of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba
Summary of the project
We will conduct research and development of "collaborative AI robots" that can respond flexibly to different situations and perform tasks in difficult environments such as disaster sites. This technology will also be useful in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure on the ground.
Milestone by year 2030
Aiming to mitigate natural disasters (river channel blockage), we will develop a multi-unit cooperative AI robot system that can respond flexibly to different situations than expected.
Milestone by year 2025
We will develop a prototype of a system of multiple cooperative AI robots that can respond flexibly to different situations than expected for the purpose of mitigating natural disasters (river channel blockage).
R&D theme progress reports
R&D theme structure of the project
The major goal of this R&D project is "realization of infrastructure construction adapted to various environments by cooperative AI robot systems. To realize this major goal, we have set up three research and development items: "1. an AI robot system to innovate earthwork" (hardware), "2. a dynamic cooperative system for multiple robots" (AI to control multiple robots), and "3. a sensor pod system for a bird's eye view of the work site" (AI to evaluate sensing technology and the environment), and have conducted research and development in parallel (Figure 1). After 2024, we will focus on robot systems that can respond to natural disasters (especially river channel blockage disasters), promote technological innovation, and aim for system integration of these technologies (Figure 2).

Figure1: Item structure and members (2020-2023)

Figure2: Item structure and members (2024-)
Leader's institution
University of Tsukuba
R&D institutions
The University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Kyushu University, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tohoku University, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Seikei University, RIKEN, Yanmar Co., LTD., Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kumagai Gumi Co., LTD., Chiba Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich
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- Summary of the project (427KB)
- Progress Report (Download all) (591KB)