News&Articles
Shinichi Furuya, Research Director of Tokyo Research, will appear on the science program Science View, broadcast by NHK WORLD-JAPAN.
On Air Schedule
- June 17, 2025 | 23:30–23:58 (JST)
- June 18, 2025 | 05:30–05:58 / 12:30–12:58 / 18:30–18:58 (JST)
For more details, please visit the official program page:
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2015343/
Hiroaki Kitano, President & CEO, will be speaking at TED AI Vienna 2025, taking place from September 24 to 26, 2025 (CEST, UTC+2).
TED AI Vienna is a global event that brings together AI researchers, thought leaders, and practitioners from around the world to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on society.
For more details, please visit the official TED AI Vienna website:
https://tedai-vienna.ted.com
A paper by Natalia Polouliakh and Taketo Akama of the Mind Music Project, et al., has been published in Scientific Reports.
Title : Predicting artificial neural network representations to learn recognition model for music identification from brain recordings
Journal : Scientific Reports
Authors : Taketo Akama, Zhuohao Zhang, Pengcheng Li, Kotaro Hongo, Shun Minamikawa & Natalia Polouliakh
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02790-6
Evaluating a New Construction Method Through a 1/15-Scale Form Inspired by Tachira Club
Researcher Sakai explores how flat structures can be elastically transformed into specific architectural curves, which is one of his key research themes.
In collaboration with the Gondo Laboratory, Department of Architecture at The University of Tokyo; the Kimura Laboratory, Graduate School of Design and Architecture at Nagoya City University; and Asahi Glass Building Wall Co., Ltd. (AGB), a demonstration experiment was conducted to explore the potential of applying this structural concept to architectural construction methods. While the form was inspired by the 1/15-scale geometry of the roof of the Tachira Club in Spain, the ABAF units and construction process were designed at a scale intended for real architectural applications, serving to validate the effectiveness of this new construction method.
This report provides an overview of the project. The pavilion was exhibited at “CAADRIA 2025 TOKYO”, a conference held at the University of Tokyo from March 22 to 29, 2025.
Recent advancements in computer-aided design (CAD) and structural optimization have made it increasingly feasible to design and realize complex freeform surfaces.
However, constructing such geometries remains challenging, particularly in fabricating, transporting, and reusing formwork.
This study proposes a new solution to these challenges through the use of a formwork system called Auxetic Bending-Active Formwork (ABAF). ABAF enables the formation of freeform surfaces with both positive and negative Gaussian curvature by elastically deforming flat grid structures on-site. This method allows the formwork to be shipped flat and reshaped on-site, making it reusable and more efficient for construction.
In the demonstration experiment, we created a 1/15-scale pavilion inspired by the roof geometry of the “Tachira Club”, originally designed by Spanish structural engineer Eduardo Torroja.
The construction process included the following steps:
- Construct a wooden base mold
- Install the ABAF system over the wooden base
- Cast Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GRC) over the ABAF
- Remove the ABAF units and wooden mold, after the GRC has cured
The ABAF units were fabricated using 3D printers at the University of Tokyo, Nagoya City University, and Sony Computer Science Laboratories. Each unit measures approximately 240 mm × 200 mm and consists of 4 to 6 grids.
To achieve the desired form, which transitions smoothly from convex areas to saddle-shaped curves, five primary types of grids were produced.
“To support this study, we developed a new algorithm for grid generation. If the grid size is too large, the GRC tends to sag, whereas if it’s too small, the 3D printing process becomes excessively time-consuming. We also had to consider factors like bendability and resistance to excessive deformation. After comprehensive evaluation, we settled on this final configuration”, explained Researcher Sakai.
These 3D-printed units were assembled into a single flat panel and placed on top of the wooden frame.
After GRC application and removal of both the ABAF and the wooden mold, the pavilion was completed.
The final dimensions of the pavilion were approximately 4 m × 2.6 m × 1.3 m.
Most of the construction process for this pavilion was carried out by students, and the structure was completed in approximately ten days. This demonstrates that even complex curved surfaces can be realized within a short amount of time and without highly specialized skills.
While the construction of freeform architectural structures typically demands advanced fabrication techniques and highly precise formwork, the ABAF system has the potential to significantly reduce such constraints.
Unlike conventional timber formwork, which is usually custom-made for a specific curve and discarded after being used once, the ABAF units are reusable and flexible. By rearranging the modular units, it is theoretically possible to produce a variety of curved surface geometries.
“Until now, our work had been limited to digital simulations or small-scale physical models that could fit in the palm of a hand. This was the first time we attempted to realize our structural concept at such a scale. With both uncertainty and excitement, it was deeply rewarding and meaningful to successfully construct the intended curved surface from a flat panel at this scale.
Completing the pavilion through this experiment and establishing a scale standard for the grid are major achievement that will inform future developments. Although the concept had been in preparation for about five years, seeing it finally take shape in the real world reignited my passion for creation”, says Researcher Sakai.
The construction of this pavilion took place during the CAADRIA2025 TOKYO conference held at the University of Tokyo, an event focused on computer-aided design in architecture, urban engineering, and information engineering across Asia.
*This research was supported by JSPS KAKENHI 24K01031.
Related Publications
Title：Auxetic Bending-Active Formwork System for Free-Form Continuum Shells
Authors : Nakayama K., Awaji H., Sakai Y., Yoshikawa R., Hayashi S., Gondo T., Kimura T.
Dr. Frank Nielsen has received the Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Award for his contributions to Information Geometry, an academic journal published by Springer Nature.
President and CEO Hiroaki Kitano and Research Director Vittorio Loreto (Rome Research) took part in the event “Investing in Lazio: Japan tells Italy in Osaka through the territory” as speakers, held at the Italy Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
“Worldview” by Jun Rekimoto is now available.
Our Worldviews
It can be said that research reflects a person’s values, outlook on life, and worldview. Each researcher’s individual style is manifested in the way he or she chooses, approaches, and develops a research theme. In other words, Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL) has as many “worldviews” as there are researchers. Here, we introduce “Worldviews,” the future and present activities envisioned from the different perspectives of each researcher and the company itself.
A video introducing “Duetto” has been released.
Duetto is a research project by Sony CSL – Rome, focused on human movement and AI. It is supported by S+T+ARTS Air and involves collaboration with Centro Coreografico Nazionale/Ater Balletto, La Piroetta Dance School/Aleph Dance Company, and Università Europea di Roma.
A report on the 2025 International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP) has been published on the Sony Group portal.
ソニーCSLからは、パリリサーチのシュテファン・ラトナー等が参加をしました。レポートにはラトナーのプレゼンテーションの様子等も掲載されています。
Sony CSL was represented at the conference by Stefan Ratner from Paris Research. The report includes coverage of Ratner’s presentation, along with other highlights from the event.
Jun Rekimoto has been awarded membership in the IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Academy.
The Virtual Reality Academy is a prestigious academy that highlights the accomplishments of the leaders in the field. Since awards are limited in number, the field should recognize significant contributions and the academy is a mechanism for recognizing such contributions. The goal is to recognize those in the field who exceed or augment the criteria of existing VGTC awards.
He received this award for his pioneering work in augmented reality and his groundbreaking contributions to human-computer interaction and ubiquitous computing.
Related Information : Professor Jun Rekimoto has been awarded membership in the IEEE VGTC Virtual Reality Academy
(The University of Tokyo III/GSII – News, April 8, 2025)