Tokyo University Opens Robot-Run Lab With No Human Staff

The Institute of Science Tokyo unveiled a fully automated laboratory at its Yushima campus, where robots now conduct medical experiments previously handled by humans. The Robotics Innovation Center features 10 automatons, including the humanoid Maholo LabDroid, and operates with no human staff on-site. The robots use dual arms to perform precise tasks such as reagent transfer, temperature-controlled equipment access, and cell cultivation, with programming already in place for automated processes. The university aims to scale up significantly, targeting around 2,000 robots by 2040 to execute nearly all research tasks—from hypothesis generation to experimental validation. Keiichi Nakayama, head of the center, emphasized the goal of making Japan’s science the best globally, citing AI and robotics as critical tools during the mid-April opening ceremony. Robots even participated in the ribbon-cutting event, underscoring the lab’s autonomous capabilities. This initiative addresses challenges faced by research institutions, including labor shortages and the need to minimize human error in experiments. Maholo LabDroid has already been deployed at a hospital in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, where it assists in ophthalmology research, including induced pluripotent stem cell culture. Researchers from Kobe’s Maholo operations have joined the new center to contribute expertise. The lab’s expansion reflects a broader push toward automation in scientific research, leveraging advanced robotics and AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy. By integrating these technologies, the university seeks to redefine experimental processes while positioning Japan as a leader in innovation.