Waseda University / JST Moonshot program
Logo: Waseda University, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsWaseda University's robotics researchers, led first by Shigeki Sugano and now Tetsuya Ogata, build the AIREC care robot under Japan's government-funded Moonshot Goal 3. The project aims at robots that help with nursing care.
- Robot models in the atlas
- 1010 humanoids
- First robot
- 1973Latest 2025
- Headquarters
- TokyoJapan
- Can I buy one?Not on sale yetPrototype, pilot or research robots only
- Who uses it?2 robot models in usePlayed a classical duet with a robot saxophonist in 2008 (earlier version).
- What is new?2025-03-01AIREC demonstrated rolling a patient for care tasks
Robots
10 robot models shown in public, from 1973 to 2025. Newest first. Open one for its full profile.
Humanoids 10 humanoids
- ResearchNo public photo yetWe only show photos we're allowed to useAIRECDry-AIRECPrice not publishedNot for sale yetFold
- RetiredNo public photo yetWe only show photos we're allowed to useWaseda Flutist Robot WF-4RVINo longer soldNo skills shown in public yet
- Research
KOBIANPrice not publishedNot for sale yetNo skills shown in public yet - Research
TWENDY-ONEPrice not publishedNot for sale yetNo skills shown in public yet - Retired
WABIAN-2No longer soldNo skills shown in public yet - RetiredNo public photo yetWe only show photos we're allowed to useWE-4RIINo longer soldNo skills shown in public yet
- RetiredNo public photo yetWe only show photos we're allowed to useHadaly-2No longer soldNo skills shown in public yet
- RetiredNo public photo yetWe only show photos we're allowed to useWABIANNo longer soldNo skills shown in public yet
- Retired
WABOT-2No longer soldNo skills shown in public yet - Retired
WABOT-1No longer soldNo skills shown in public yet
What is inside
Chips and parts suppliers named for Waseda University / JST Moonshot program's robots by the maker or reputable press.
Who uses it
Customers and deployments reported for Waseda University / JST Moonshot program's robots. Each robot's page links its sources.
- No public photo yetWe only show photos we're allowed to useWaseda Flutist Robot WF-4RVI2011 · Retired
Played a classical duet with a robot saxophonist in 2008 (earlier version).
- WABOT-21984 · Retired
Performed at Expo '85 in Tsukuba; in 2026 it was on loan to the National Communication Museum in Melbourne, Australia.
What is new
The latest stories about Waseda University / JST Moonshot program's robots, newest first.
- AIREC demonstrated rolling a patient for care tasks Interesting Engineering · AIREC
- Emotional humanoid KOBIAN Waseda University · KOBIAN
- Paper shows WABIAN-2 walking heel-to-toe like a person Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics (Fuji Technology Press) · WABIAN-2
- TWENDY-ONE unveiled Waseda University · TWENDY-ONE
The company
What it says about itself and what the sources record.
- Founded
- 1882
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Focus
- AI care robots for eldercare and nursing
- Funding
- Government research funding through the JST Moonshot programme (amount not stated).
- Partners
- National Communication Museum, Melbourne (WABOT-2 loan); Expo '85 Tsukuba (WABOT-2 exhibit).
Similar makers
Other makers of humanoids, starting with those in Japan.
Sources
5 sources behind this page.
- Waseda University The Robots of Waseda: A 50-Year Journey in Humanoid Innovation
- Waseda University Humanoid Robotics Institute WABOT - WAseda roBOT
- Waseda University Humanoid Robotics Institute
- Interesting Engineering Japan tests AIREC robot easing elderly care
- Japan Science and Technology Agency Moonshot Goal 3 programme
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