Established in 1973 with a mission to be an “Open University” in every sense, the University of Tsukuba is a pioneer in transdisciplinary research. It serves as a Technology Provider and Co-design Partner, bridging the gap between advanced lab research and societal implementation. The university is world-famous for its work in Cybernics, a field blending humans, robots, and information systems, which led to the creation of the world’s first “cyborg-type” robot, HAL.
Located in the center of Japan’s research capital, the university leads the Tsukuba Super City project. This initiative transforms the entire city into a “living lab” where researchers test high-tech solutions like autonomous delivery robots, personalized healthcare AI, and decentralized data governance models.
The university’s vision is to “Imagine the Future.” Its mission is to create a new academic environment that transcends traditional boundaries, fostering “global human resources” who can solve complex social issues. Its core philosophy emphasizes internationalization and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure technology improves human wellness and environmental sustainability.
The university focuses on the structural challenges of modern Japan, applicable to cities worldwide:
The university uses a “Society 5.0” approach, where the virtual and physical worlds are deeply integrated. Its innovation lies in Social Demonstrations: instead of keeping technology in labs, Tsukuba deploys it in the city streets (robot-friendly zones) to refine human-robot interactions in real-world conditions.
