Interviews with the Thinkers and Tinkerers of the INNO-vation Program
Capturing the Elegance of Organic Movement Through Animatronics
Akira Nakayasu
256 silicon tubes are the driving force behind the squiggling and squirming tentacles found in UNEUNEWARAWARA Animatronics. But how did its creator, Akira Nakayasu, come up with such an idea?
Mobile Game Unkore Aims to Save Lives Outside the Doctor’s Office
Yousuke Ishii
The mobile game Unkore has its sights set on the early detection of colorectal cancer. In part 1, we discover how Dr. Yousuke Ishii came up with this strangely unique app.
The AI Point-Detection System that Streamlines and Optimizes Imagery
Takuya Ikoma
In part 1, we spoke with Takuya Ikoma about his development process, from concept to application.
Instant Liquefaction with the Fluidized Bed Interface
Yasushi Matoba
Yasushi Matoba’s Fluidized Bed Interface combines the sand-liquifying fluidized bed phenomenon with a mesmerizing digital interface. We ask him about its origin.
UDAR: A New Frontier in Electronic Instruments
Michinobu Uda
Michinobu Uda’s UDAR combines the legato sound of a violin with the chordal playstyle of a piano. In part 1, we ask him directly about UDAR’s development and conception.
Eyes in the Back of Your Head - The Suit to Perceive the Imperceptible
Mitsuhiro Matsumoto
Ultrasonic Sensing Technology Equips Ordinary People with Extraordinary Powers of Perception
The “Aquaman” of Japan
Yosuke Furusawa
Breaking down the barrier separating reality and fantasy by manipulating the movement of fish
![$v['name']](/img/dummy.png)
“Soft thinking” – a camera to capture softness
Takahito Aoto
Dr. Takahito Aoto (University of Tsukuba) is working to develop a device that can measure the exact softness of materials without actually touching them
Chicks, Sex and Tech; How AI Could Revolutionize the Chick Sexing
Yusuke Nakano
Using AI to solve the growing issue in the chick sexing industry
VFX; inheriting the legacy of SFX from Japanese movies
Tomoyuki Miyake
At 19 years old, Tomoyuki Miyake is fascinated by Tokusatsu, a Japanese movie genre with high amounts of special effects, including Godzilla and Gamera and has been pursuing CG and VFX techno
A handy tool for easy, stress-free clinical examinations!
Naoki Ohmiya
Prof. Naoki Ohmiya (Chairman, Department of Gastroenterology, Fujita Health University) is developing a "magnetically-controlled whole gastrointestinal tract capsule endoscope"
Small fabric - big impact
Keiichi Torimitsu
Keiichi Torimitsu (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University) is passionate about the lifestyles that pioneering, multi-functional fabrics will produce in the near future
Can an irresistibly lovable robot be produced?
Yoshihiro Sejima
The research interest of Yoshihiro Sejima (Associate Professor, Faculty of Informatics at Kansai University) is gaze communication and he is trying to create a robot with a twinkle in its eye
Reshape and Reprint: the Potential of a 3D Solid Knitting Machine
Yuichi Hirose
Yuichi Hirose, a freelance engineer, bets his life on development of the 3D solid knitting machine
From ancient Japanese martial arts to the creation of a sports robot that can communicate with people
Kazutoshi Tanaka
Kazutoshi Tanaka (a researcher of sporting robots) is busy developing a robot that can be a companion to human beings in a variety of scenarios
An “Incontinence” Entertainment Experience! A New Exploration of Senses Through the Simulation of Peeing Yourself!
Takayuki Kameoka
Takayuki Kameoka (University of Electro-Communications Master’s Program Year 2, Kajimoto Lab) transforms “incontinence experience systems” to entertainment content
Flying robot swarms at World Expo 2025, Osaka, after missing deadlines for the Tokyo Olympics
Takanobu Watanabe
Takanobu Watanabe (Waseda University, Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering) envisions a future of multi-point environmental sensing on a global scale
How One Young Scientist Developed a Semi-Portable CO2 Collection Device
Kazumi Muraki
Teen scientist Kazumi Muraki is working to create just about “anything” from carbon dioxide in the air.
