Progress Report

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Development of “Jizai Hon-yaku-ki (At-will Translator)” connecting various minds based on brain and body functions[7] Advancement of mental-state decoding technologies through next-generation magnetic sensing

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Progress until FY2025

1. Outline of the project

R&D Item 7 aims to advance technologies for decoding mental states by introducing optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG), a next-generation magnetic sensing technology. This is expected to accelerate R&D toward the social implementation of JIZAI Translator.

Illust
Optimizing OPM sensors Brain activity measurement in naturalistic environments with wearable devices

As a next-generation brain activity measurement technology, OPM-MEG enables more accurate and flexible measurement of brain activity than conventional methods. By attaching lightweight sensors to the head, it allows brain activity to be measured in naturalistic situations with free movement, such as while drinking coffee.
In R&D Item 7, we will install this system at the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, optimize the OPM sensors, refine the data analysis pipeline, and validate methods for decoding mental states to advance the development of JIZAI Translator.

2. Outcome so far

  1.    Installation of a high-performance magnetically shielded room for OPM-MEG measurements
  2.    Selection of an OPM-MEG system compatible with hyperscanning
  3.    Optimization and development of sensors for stable measurement of brain activity from deep brain regions
  4.    Establishment of an operational framework and research community for OPM-MEG

Outcome 1: Before introducing OPM-MEG, we installed a high-performance magnetically shielded room required for measurement at the National Institute for Physiological Sciences. OPM-MEG measures the tiny magnetic field changes generated in the brain. By using a shielded room that blocks the Earth’s magnetic field and environmental noise, it becomes possible to accurately detect magnetic field changes derived from brain activity.

Fig.
Outcome 1 — magnetically shielded room
Source: K. Kitajo (NIPS)

Outcome 2: We selected and are introducing Japan’s first OPM-MEG system compatible with hyperscanning, which enables simultaneous measurement of brain activity from multiple individuals. Installation work is progressing smoothly, and the system is scheduled to become operational during FY2026.
Outcome 3: We designed and fabricated a dedicated 3D-printed OPM sensor array that can place OPM sensors over the entire head and neck. This enables sensor layouts to be optimized for target brain regions, including deep brain areas.
Outcome 4: We established a management framework and operation guidelines for OPM-MEG. We also set up a user meeting within Moonshot Goal 9 to collect user needs and feedback. To build an OPM-MEG research community, we established collaborations with University College London and the University of Nottingham, and organized international symposia and domestic research meetings.

Fig.
Outcome 4 — international symposium held at NIPS
Source: K. Kitajo (NIPS)

3. Future plans

Going forward, we will use OPM-MEG to estimate mental states during communication from brain activity. We will also strengthen the operational framework centered on the National Institute for Physiological Sciences and the JIZAI2050 Project to support efficient use within Moonshot Goal 9.

(NIPS: K. Kitajo, UCL: S. Bestmann)

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