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Okayama University Exhibits Quadruped Robot at Messanagoya 2025

In November 2025, Okayama University participated in one of Japan's largest interdisciplinary trade shows, Messanagoya 2025, held at Port Messe Nagoya. This event featured a collaborative exhibit with TIMEWELL, where the university's student team demonstrated a quadruped robot designed to enhance smart agriculture.

The exhibit, part of the university’s initiative to foster innovation through regional core university projects, showcased the potential applications of quadruped robots in various agricultural tasks. From 10 AM to 5 PM on both days of the event, visitors had the opportunity to observe live demonstrations conducted by students who operated the robot, illustrating its capabilities in material transportation and field monitoring.

Over the span of the two days, approximately 100 attendees visited the booth, leading to engaging discussions about the robot's applications beyond agriculture. Participants exchanged ideas concerning its use in disaster prevention, infrastructure inspection, and security, indicating a broad interest in the technology's diverse applications. Local government officials brought forth practical suggestions, such as the integration of directional speakers for bear encounter warnings in rural areas, addressing recent societal concerns about wildlife encounters.

The demand for robotic assistance in environments where human access is limited—such as in sewer systems, tunnels, and disaster-stricken areas—was also highlighted, suggesting a strong expectation for real-world implementations of the technology. The students' initiative and commitment to applying cutting-edge techniques to societal challenges were highly praised, underscoring the significance of nurturing the next generation of professionals in smart agriculture and regional problem-solving.

Additionally, several companies expressed their interest in collaborating on demonstration projects and sponsorships, prompting ongoing discussions concerning partnerships. There have also been inquiries from interested parties regarding a field demonstration scheduled for mid-November 2025 in a lemon orchard in Asakuchi City, Okayama Prefecture, hinting at promising developments for industry, academia, and government collaborations to address regional issues.

Through this exhibition, Okayama University aims to promote its initiatives surrounding the social implementation of university-developed technologies and projects focused on solving regional challenges. The university will continue fostering collaboration between students, researchers, businesses, and local governments in various domains, including smart agriculture.

Looking ahead, Okayama University will host the annual “Okayama University R&D Showcase 2025” event on December 2, 2025, at the Tsushima campus’s 50th Anniversary Memorial Hall. This event will showcase recent research findings and provide a platform for collaborative research and the potential for new business development. Attendees are encouraged to join and see firsthand the advancements being made.

As a regional core university committed to unique and impactful research, Okayama University looks forward to contributing to various societal innovations in the future.

Participating Teams

• - The Okayama University team comprised of students and faculty members was committed to showcasing the potential of advanced robotics in agricultural settings.
• - Staff members provided insights regarding the project and its future applications during both days of the event.
• - Live demonstrations involved the interactive presentation and operation of the quadruped robot, reinforcing the university’s mission to bridge academia and practical applications.

For more information about Okayama University's innovative efforts in research and development, partnerships, and upcoming events, you can visit their official websites: Okayama University Research and Innovation Collaboration and Messanagoya 2025.