Research video: New initiatives in interdisciplinary research at Tokyo Tech

"Making high-rise buildings that can operate safely even during a disaster” ”Using AI/IoT and robotics for ultra-early diagnosis and rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease”

September 29, 2020

With the progression of science and technology, research fields are growing more and more specialized. To apply research to solving social issues, interdisciplinary research has become essential, bringing together the strengths of multiple researchers from basic to applied fields. As a science and technology university, Tokyo Tech conducts research in a wide range of areas, and even more so in interdisciplinary research that transcends academia’s traditional boundaries. Here we provide two short videos that introduce collaborations spanning basic to applied research.

Making high-rise buildings that can operate safely even during a disaster

Researchers:

Shoichi Kishiki, Associate Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, SOFTech Chairman
Mitsue Nagamine, Associate Professor, Institute for Liberal Arts

During a large earthquake, even if a high-rise building does not collapse, social functions within would be paralyzed if its interior spaces cannot be maintained. It is also of great importance to understand the psychological responses of those within during an earthquake. Research is being conducted integrating architecture, electrical and electronics engineering, and liberal arts, with the goal of preserving social functions in city buildings when earthquakes occur.

Using AI/IoT and robotics for ultra-early diagnosis and rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease

Researchers:

Yoshihiro Miyake, Professor, School of Computing

Parkinson's disease is a disease where motor function is impaired due to the degeneration of nerve cells. At Tokyo Tech, researchers in materials science, ultra-sensitivity sensing, measurement, diagnosis, and rehabilitation are collaborating to develop ways of detecting Parkinson's disease and support rehabilitation. Two innovations showing particular promise are a measurement device for predicting disease severity based on how the patient walks, and a wearable robot that supports walking.