#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #OI-Start #Lynx Robot

Innovative Event at Okayama University

On May 22, 2025, Okayama University, located in Okayama City, held the 'Open Innovation Match Up vol.3' at its Tsushima Campus, specifically in the newly established 50th Anniversary Memorial Hall. The event was organized by the Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start), which serves as a hub for fostering innovation through collaboration among industry, academia, and government sectors.

Theme and Objectives

The overarching theme of this year's event was 'The Future of Co-Creation Enhanced by Digital and Real Experiences.' The gathering aimed to bring together diverse stakeholders to explore the possibilities of innovation through hands-on technology experiences. Approximately 250 participants, including OI-Start members, students, faculty, and the general public, attended, engaging with numerous booths featuring cutting-edge technologies.

One of the highlights was the Lynx, a quadrupedal robot making its debut in Japan for public demonstrations. Attendees were impressed with its fluid motion and potential applications, experiencing the evolution of next-generation robotics firsthand.

Event Structure

This event unfolded in three main parts:

1. Special Seminar: The event kicked off with a keynote lecture by Keitaro Shimizu, a Senior Solution Architect at NVIDIA, who discussed the future of digital twins in research and industry, emphasizing the potential breakthroughs enabled by NVIDIA Omniverse.

2. Presentations: Following the keynote, a series of one-minute poster presentations were held, showcasing insights and innovations from various enterprises, researchers, and students. This session allowed for dynamic sharing of cutting-edge knowledge and technologies.

3. Demonstration and Networking: The final segment featured interactive demonstrations and poster sessions, creating an environment conducive to dialogue and networking across different fields and professional backgrounds.

The event culminated with a networking reception at the newly established co-creation innovation lab, KIBINOVE. This opportunity allowed participants, especially students, to interact directly with professionals, sharing insights about their fields of interest and research.

Purpose and Future Updates

OI-Start aims to facilitate continuous collaboration across academia, industry, and government to foster innovation in the region. The event was part of the Cabinet Office's initiative to strengthen innovation ecosystems in regional core universities, underscoring Okayama University's commitment to becoming a leading research institution supporting sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform continues to pursue these avenues, promoting the growth of innovation and collaboration in Okayama Prefecture, encouraging not only productivity but also the retention and return of talented youth in the region.

With initiatives like the OI-Start, Okayama University aligns itself with the principles of co-creation, aiming to bridge the gaps between different sectors while addressing diverse local and global challenges. Participants can look forward to the future developments from OI-Start and the innovative pathways that lie ahead for Okayama University.

For more information, visit Okayama University's official site and check out the insights shared during the event, including highlights on the Lynx robot and NVIDIA's cutting-edge technologies.