Cybernetic Avatars (CAs), which can engage in friendly and considerate conversations, will free people from the constraints of time and space. People taking care of children or family members, as well as the elderly and others with limited mobility, can also participate in society through CAs. CAs will augment human abilities and bring about an avatar-symbiotic society where everyone can perform active roles.

Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) connects the brain to a machine, allowing the machine to operate by thought alone. By combining this technology with Cybernetic Avatars (CAs), AI can analyze not only brain activity information, but also various biometric data obtained from humans, such as gaze, heart rate, and perspiration, as well as information obtained from interactions with other people, to realize operations as desired. This will allow people with physical limitations to augment their abilities and participate in a variety of social activities.

In the near future, the use of cybernetic avatars (CAs) will enable people to realize their potential while sharing diverse skills and experiences among individuals. By creating a common platform that allows people to leverage both their own and others’ physical and social abilities, we aim to create an inclusive society where diverse people, including those with physical limitation or neurodivergence, can explore their new possibilities.

As we move towards a society with a declining birthrate and an aging population, robots will be needed in a variety of situations, such as performing tasks in hazardous environments and addressing labor shortages, supporting frontier developments in cutting-edge science and space, and assisting with everyday life. AI and robots must co-evolve and acquire the ability to learn and grow on their own. Our goal is to develop a wide variety of AI robots, ranging from those that can operate in dangerous environments to those that grow together with human beings.

The human brain analyzed, which is the ultimate information processing system, is being undertaken toward the development of artificial general intelligence. The supercomputer "Fugaku" creates a digital twin of the 86 billion neurons in the human brain. This digital twin is then used in human whole-brain simulations to understand how the human brain works. In addition, generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and image processing technology are used to perform human whole-brain analysis to unravel how the brain understands and assesses information. These two techniques―human whole-brain simulation and analysis―will enable the development of artificial general intelligence that possesses and combines "high intelligence and high energy efficiency" like the human brain. This will lead to a future where we can create a digital brain in the digital space.

Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) is a technology that reads brain signals using artificial intelligence, allowing devices to be operated by thought alone. It enables movement and communication for people with physical limitations. Not only will it be used as medical technology to restore lost functions, but in the future, it will also become a technology that allows everyone to operate robots and avatars by thought alone, expanding the scope of human activities.

We are developing a “guardian robot” that is empathetic and provides unobtrusive support. This robot will have agency, gather information about its surroundings with purpose and intent, and provide appropriate support according to each individual and situation. By giving various types of robots, such as exoskeleton-equipped, autonomous, and interactive robots, a sense of “heart,” we aim to create a symbiotic society in which robots are naturally accepted by humans.

We are conducting research and development into human augmentation engineering, which aims to augment human abilities by integrating humans, machines, and AI. Rather than automating tasks by leaving them to machines, we are creating a variety of technologies to augment physical functions, such as wearable arm robots and fingertip microscopes, with the aim of freeing people to do whatever they want.

We are working to unravel the principles of deep learning and build the foundational technology of general-purpose machine learning. At the same time, we are conducting research and development of foundational technologies such as artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific research in areas in which Japan has strengths and to solve Japan’s collective challenges in areas such as medicine, education, and disaster prevention. We are also conducting research on ethical, legal, and social issues that arise with the spread of artificial intelligence technologies.

The development of myocardial regeneration therapy using cardiomyocyte sheets derived from iPS cells began in 2008, and based on scientific evidence from numerous research results, investigator-initiated clinical trials began in 2020 at multiple facilities, primarily at Osaka University. Treatment for eight cases has been completed, with all cases progressing smoothly. Technology transfer to Cuorips Inc., a venture company spun out of Osaka University, has been finalized, and the world's first iPS cell-derived myocardial regeneration therapy product is anticipated to be commercially available.

We were the first in the world to successfully transplant corneal epithelial cell sheets made from iPS cells, and have already achieved clinical application in patients. We also have succeeded in creating a layered structure from iPS cells in which the various cells that make up the eyeball are organized in an orderly manner. This technology will likely lead to the reconstruction of the eyeball, and to the establishment of new eye treatments.

We are conducting research to uncover the mechanisms at the atomic level behind the directionally dependent properties (anisotropy) of biological tissues such as bone and are applying this knowledge to material development. By controlling the shape and atomic arrangement with a metal 3D printer, we have succeeded in developing a world-first bone medical device made in Japan that creates strong, healthy bones from the early stages of regeneration, tailored to each individual and each site. We have put this device to practical use in medical settings, enabling patients to return to their normal lives as soon as possible.

By combining knowledge of developmental biology with stem cell culture technology, we are conducting research into the creation and use of artificial 3D organs called organoids. We have developed a human ES cell culture technique and succeeded in the 3D self-organization of fetal tissue structures such as the cerebral cortical tissue and optic cup. We aim to build a systematic research system that covers every step from basic research to commercialization, and to quickly implement the technology into society.

Torpor, a natural energy-saving mechanism found in mammals, has different states such as hibernation and daily torpor, and is characterized by the ability to survive even with a fatally low metabolism in an active state. Aiming to understand the principles of this phenomenon, we are conducting multifaceted research on the control of body temperature, responses to the external environment, and whole-body metabolic control, and are promoting research and development aimed at applications in the medical field and other areas.

To unravel the mechanism by which COVID-19 worsens, single-cell analysis at the single-cell level resolution and statistical genetics analysis integrated with human genome were conducted on blood immune cells from patients and healthy individuals. The results showed a decrease in the function of specific immune cell types involved in innate immunity. Furthermore, it was suggested that individual differences in human genome sequences may be related to individual differences in the mechanism of aggravation mediated by innate immune cells. Moving forward, it is anticipated that human genome data will be utilized to predict disease aggravation and to develop new treatments.

The immune system protects the body from harmful substances such as viruses and bacteria, and at its core is the immune response. We are using genetically modified mouse models and spatial omics analysis to investigate in detail the functions of genes and proteins involved in immunity. In particular, we are focusing on the RNA-degrading enzyme “Regnase” to develop new treatments for autoimmune diseases. This research will deepen our understanding of the immune system and may make a major contribution to future medical treatments.

We have developed a sensor with nano-sized holes called “nanopores” and succeeded in detecting changes in electrical signals when a substance passes through it. This allows it to accurately detect individual molecules such as proteins and DNA. Furthermore, by combining this with AI-based analysis technology, we aim to create new testing technology that can perform detailed cell analysis and quickly detect virus mutations.

The Trans-scale scope has a field of view several hundred times wider than that of conventional microscopes and enables optical imaging with high spatial resolution. It can simultaneously observe up to one million cells, making it possible to detect extremely rare cells, down to 0.01% of the total. This technology paves the way for discovering rare cells that have previously been overlooked and understanding the biological phenomena they cause. It will likely be used in a wide range of fields, from basic biology to cancer research, regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and useful substance production.

We discovered that the factor "Rubicon," which acts as a brake on autophagy—the process by which cells degrade their own components—increases with aging. In animal experiments, suppressing the function of Rubicon prevented the decline of autophagy activity with age, leading to an extended lifespan and the suppression of numerous age-related diseases, including Parkinson's disease. Not only did individual aging slow down, but cellular aging also slowed down. These findings suggest that activating autophagy could contribute to extending healthy lifespan.

Attempting to bring about innovation in a data-driven society, we aim to establish a data distribution system that can provide personal data to third parties with the individual’s consent, ensuring the transparency of data utilization. The distribution of personal data is expected to produce various solutions. In this project, we are conducting research and development of solutions that utilize personal data, such as “Wellness” elderly monitoring services aimed at promoting mental and physical health, “Lifestyle” childcare support services aimed at maintaining and improving QOL, and “Edutainment” services that help students in their lives and schooling, providing fun and learning.

Energy-saving, efficient mechanisms exist in nature, including photosynthesis where plants use sunlight to create oxygen and carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, and nitrogen fixation where rhizobia parasitic to legumes synthesize ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen. In such enzyme reactions, dozens of electrons are involved at the quantum level in a sophisticated manner, and it is possible to accurately reproduce such interactions with a quantum computer. Being able to reproduce the mechanisms of nature’s photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation on quantum computers will help to address global warming and energy issues.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the environment can be regarded as a raw material for producing various useful materials. Based on this perspective, we are developing chemical and biological systems to convert CO₂ into valuable materials. Inspired by the sophisticated mechanism of photosynthesis, we are working on the development of environmentally harmonious CO₂ utilization technologies that mimic this natural process.

Serving as a new technology for artificial photosynthesis, we have developed a resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin photocatalysts that exhibit semiconducting properties. The resins efficiently generate hydrogen peroxide (a promising energy carrier) from water and oxygen under sunlight irradiation, and can be reused while maintaining a solar energy conversion efficiency of 0.5% or greater, approximately five times that of natural photosynthesis. We have also achieved the generation of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen peroxide generated.

Nuclear fusion, which generates enormous amounts of energy through the fusion reaction between atomic nuclei, is considered an inexhaustible source of energy that uses substances contained in seawater as fuel. It does not produce high-level radioactive waste and has inherent safety, as the reaction ceases when the plasma state is no longer maintained. To enable commercialization, efforts are being made to generate an ultra-high temperature and ultra-high pressure environment using high-power pulsed lasers.

KF is at the forefront of developing technical and engineering solutions for the commercialization of fusion energy. We are advancing cutting-edge gyrotron systems for plasma heating—an essential technology for sustaining fusion reactions—while also leading the UNITY project, which focuses on the development and integrated testing of fusion thermal cycle systems for energy extraction and fusion fuel cycle systems. Both are critical to making fusion energy a practical reality. Additionally, KF leads the FAST project, a power generation demonstration initiative aimed at commercialization in the 2030s. Through these efforts, we are pioneering next-generation plant engineering technologies to accelerate the transition from fusion research to real-world energy solutions.

By modifying the luminescence systems of bioluminescent fungi and bioluminescent bacteria and incorporating them into the genome, we have succeeded in creating bioluminescent plants that display a variety of luminescent colors, ranging from blue to red. By developing multifunctional bioluminescent plants that glow brighter, absorb more CO₂, and produce useful resources, we aim to contribute to the creation of a sustainable society characterized by recycling-oriented resource utilization.

We have succeeded in harvesting subtle energies around us, such as light, vibrations, heat, and electromagnetic waves, converting them into electricity, and boosting them to a high voltage by our boost converter. By utilizing unused and abandoned subtle energy, it becomes possible to provide a sustainable power supply for wearable devices and IoT sensors. This will greatly reduce the effort required for battery replacement and the environmental impact.