Tokyo Institute of Technology: DLab Challenge Research Grant 2021 awarded to four diverse teams

Tokyo Tech’s DLabouter has awarded four research teams with the “DLab Challenge: Laboratory for Design of Social Innovation Global Networks (DLab) Research Grant for Academic Year 2021.” A ceremony was held on July 8 to present successful applicants with their notices of award. This is the second cohort of research teams to receive the grant after its launch in academic year 2020.

The DLab Challenge Research Grant supports research connected to the realization of the future image and scenarios created by DLab, and research that contributes to the creation of new disciplines required to realize this image. The grant also aims to help individual researchers discover the links between their own research and the future of society, conduct research with a backcasting approach, and heighten awareness of the societal impact of their research.

At the July 8 event, DLab Director Isao Satoh and Associate Director Naoto Ohtake, who also served as the head of the review board, shared comments and future expectations regarding each selected research topic. The principal investigators and collaborators who were present also openly exchanged opinions regarding the projects, creating an opportunity to foster new ideas and networks for future research activities.

Proposals and recipients
Future life in the fusion of update-speed gap between communication technology and architecture
Asst. Prof. Sangyeop Leeouter, Institute of Innovative Researchouter

Asst. Prof. Kei Sasakiouter, School of Environment and Society

Hyunsoo Kim, Administrative Support Staff, School of Environment and Society

*Senior researcher Shinsuke Hara, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)outer

*Masao Fujita, Engineer, Maxell, Ltd.outer

Establishing a method for building future narratives to increase stakeholders’ commitment to future scenarios by connecting human and information technology
Asst. Prof. Yuki Taokaouter, School of Environment and Society

Assoc. Prof. Momoko Nakataniouter, School of Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Shoichi Hasegawaouter, Institute of Innovative Researchouter

*Dr. Chen Hao, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Delft University of Technologyouter

*Assoc. Prof. Celine Mougenot, Imperial College Londonouter

*Assoc. Prof. Mika Yasuoka, Roskilde Universityouter

*Nana Hamaguchi, Lead UX Designer, NTT TechnoCross Corporationouter

Construction of a network of researchers for interdisciplinary collaborative research based on the enhancement of serendipity
Asst. Prof. Yuno Tanakaouter, School of Environment and Society

Asst. Prof. Yuta Kurashinaouter, School of Materials and Chemical Technology

Asst. Prof. Jin Takahashiouter, School of Computing

Asst. Prof. Kazuhide Nakayamaouter, School of Environment and Society

Asst. Prof. Kenichiro Sanoouter, School of Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Tatsuya Miuraouter, School of Science

Asst. Prof. Yohei Yamaguchiouter, School of Science

Asst. Prof. Ken Masuyaouter, School of Engineering

Asst. Prof. Kohei Satoouter, School of Life Science and Technology

*Research Associate, Junya Yamauchi, The University of Tokyoouter

*Asst. Prof. Yasuhiro Nambu, Kyushu Universityouter

Tomorrow’s studio: Smart creation using mixed reality for enhancing real-time interaction in design education
Asst. Prof. Yuval Kahlonouter, School of Environment and Society

Assoc. Prof. Takuya Okiouter, School of Environment and Society

Assoc. Prof. Momoko Nakataniouter, School of Engineering

Asst. Prof. Jiang Zhuouter, School of Engineering

*Dr. Santosh Maurya, Researcher, Hitachi Ltd.outer

Note: Principal investigator followed by joint researchers
*Collaborator

Overview of academic year 2021 DLab Challenge Research Grant
Objective
The objective of this grant is to help create a better future through science and technology by supporting research that contributes to the realization of the image of future society created by DLab, or research that advances the creation of new academic disciplines that are required to realize this image.

Additionally, this grant aims to help individual researchers discover the links between their own research and the future of society, conduct research with a backcasting approach, and heighten awareness of the societal impact of their research.

Eligibility
Applications must be submitted by a team that includes at least two members. These members should ideally include experts from at least two different fields. The representative (applicant) must be an associate professor, lecturer, or assistant professor employed by Tokyo Tech.

Grant period
In principle, grants will continue until the end of the third academic year at the latest. Funding decisions for the third academic year will be made by the review board before the completion of the second year.

Research Support | Initiatives | DLab (Japanese)　
Comments from principal investigators of selected research teams in 2021
Assistant Professor Sangyeop Lee
Institute of Innovative Research
It is a great honor to receive a research fund from DLab. Among various future scenarios proposed by DLab, our main target is to realize “08 Enjoy a strong, complete, balanced home.” We will research the influence of buildings on future wireless communications and will derive a new future lifestyle.Assistant Professor Sangyeop Lee
Assistant Professor Yuki Taoka
School of Environment and Society
This research aims to establish a “method for constructing future narratives” in order for each of the various stakeholders to imagine the future and realize the future scenario. We will establish a new research field that synthesize technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) and extended reality (XR) with workshop design methods.Assistant Professor Yuki Taoka
Assistant Professor Yuno Tanaka
School of Environment and Society
We aim to build an interdisciplinary network of young researchers. We believe that sharing our knowledge from various fields of expertise and gaining diverse perspectives will lead to creative research. We would like to develop a place where we can have frank dialogues and discussions with each other step by step.Assistant Professor Yuno Tanaka
Assistant Professor Yuval Kahlon
School of Environment and Society
One important lesson from COVID-19 is that we ought to take distance learning very seriously. The impossibility of co-inhabiting physical spaces sparks our inner desire to be completely free of spatial constraints. I believe we can realize this vision in education via cyber-physical technologies.