Overview

The goal of Development of Fundamental Technologies is to develop fundamental technologies related to this project as a whole, and to explore new technologies that have not yet been put to practical use. Specifically, we plan to explore new technologies for inputting information into the brain.

We also plan to study specific measures to implement the results of this project in society, and to prepare opportunities for the public to experience brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. Through these efforts, we will promote acceptance and demand for BMI technology in society, and develop beneficial societal and industrial applications of BMI.

Additionally, IoB has established the IoB Research Studio to advance projects. It serv es as an “open lab” where various research can be conducted and parts of it are ope n to the public. This makes it a place for “interactive communication” and is utilized in the abovementioned initiatives.

Member

• KANAI Ryota,Ph.D.

  CEO, Araya Inc. / Director, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR)

  CEO, Araya Inc.
  Director, Advanced Telecommunications Research
  Institute International(ATR)In this project, we will conduct a bird’s-eye view of the input interface technology for transmitting detailed information to the brain, make it available for other research teams, and promote the use of BMI in society. This will be done by identifying technologies that have potential as information input technologies for future BMIs, set them as new research topics, and accelerate the development of practical BMIs in this project.

  • Research Themes
  • Related Website
  • Research Poster

  • Project Management Officer
  • Technology Development
• AKUTSU Kan,Mr.

  Team Leader, MultiSense Foundation, Araya Inc.

  The use of BMI is being considered as a next-generation core interface. However, optimal usage applications and interfaces do not yet exist. In this research, the public is invited to experience the prototype developed in this study. Based on the feedback from this experience, we will seek to build a technical foundation for the openness of BMI. Specifically, we aim to build an operation platform that enables users to design their own original UI and operate virtual avatars from real robots by combining multiple biometric signals including brain signals through simple UI operations.

  • Research Themes
  • Related Website
  • Research Poster

  • Technology Development
• KOKUBO Masatoshi,Ph.D.

  Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Keio University / Research Fellow, X Dignity Center, Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI)

  【Joined in Phase 2】
  In this project, I will conduct research on the various technologies being developed and implemented by IoB, with a particular focus on neurolaw, aiming to contribute — from Japan — to the international rule-making processes currently underway. Specifically, I will examine: (1) key rights and freedoms related to neuroscience technologies, such as cognitive liberty, mental privacy, and freedom of thought; (2) international comparisons of rule-making and its implementation; and (3) the balance between protecting individual rights and freedoms on one hand, and securing the well-being, academic freedom, and freedom of research enabled by technological development on the other. I will also examine AI and other technologies closely related to neuroscience that target human cognition. Rather than confining myself to the discipline of law, I aim to actively engage in dialogue with the natural sciences, philosophy, and other fields, pursuing ELSI/RRI research that is not merely theoretical, thereby contributing to the appropriate societal acceptance of the technologies developed through this project.
  

  • Research Themes
  • Research map
  • Kokubo's Profile (Keio University) *Japanese only

  • Technology Development
• KOMAMURA Keigo,Ph.D.

  Professor of Law, The Faculty of Law, Keio University

  My research project is mainly designed to discern whether or not the future developments of IoB technologies such as BMI and Cybernetic Avatars could introduce revolutionary changes to legal studies, other  social sciences, and humanities. If these technologies liberate us from bodily limit, the concept of “person” which is one of the most basic concepts for legal studies Looking to this exciting future, my project will focus on two research goals: First, theoretical research. IoB will urge us to rethink (or replace) fundamental premises of legal studies and other disciplines and to establish a new grand theory for law, social sciences, and humanities. Second, experiments for social implementation of IoB. Considering how to deal with legal or institutional obstacles before IoB is introduced to our real life is needed.

  • Research Themes
  • Related Website
  • Research Poster

  • Technology Development
• TAKEMI Mitsuaki,Ph.D.

  Associate Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University

  Public attention has been increased to the field of neurotechnology. This research aims to foster the reliability to AI-assisted brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) by accumulating evidence on the safety and effectiveness of BMI through a literature search. This evidence will be summarized as a brochure for the general public. Furthermore, we will develop a checklist for evaluating the reliability of individual BMI products and services that may support social acceptance and promote the implementation of BMI technology into society. In collaboration with other members involved in this R&D project, we will validate the safety and effectiveness of the IoB interface application for cognitive augmentation.

  • Research Themes
  • Related Website
  • Research Poster

  • Technology Development

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