In TMI we are building a testbed called “Nagoya Experimental Site and Testbed” (Robot NEST) for autonomous mobile robots. The testbed area includes Nagoya University buildings and campuses as well as surrounding facilities. We aim to create new industries, research, human resources, and startup companies.
Robot NEST is the only open testbed available in Japan that allows discoveries of social, technological, and ethical issues related to mobility of future mobile robots. Solutions are derived in collaboration of academic and industrial worlds. Many mobile robotic companies in industry participate in Robot NEST. We have mobile robots currently-in-use such as autonomous delivery robots, security robots, autonomous wheelchairs, and four-legged walking robots. In addition, we also have a variety of kits to learn the workings of mobile robots. We supply the necessary equipment and environment to design and develop future mobile robots through opportunities to interact with these robots.
As testbeds for autonomous driving robots, both roads and buildings within the Nagoya University campuses are used along with Nagoya University owned Togo field and facilities owned by TMI collaborating corporations.
Using Robot NEST, it is possible to experiment with technology necessary for real-life use of autonomous robots by utilizing wireless communication equipment such as a local 5G network and Wi-Fi as well as various sensors, including cameras installed at the facilities and LiDAR. Presently, most corporations conduct independent demonstration experiments of each robot. Therefore, few experiments use different robots in the same space. Robot NEST aims for a society where different robots can be casually introduced. Thereby, the University offers this inclusive and comprehensive space to discover solutions to social issues related to future mobility and to design useful mobile robots for future society.