A one-of-a-kind testing field“Fukushima Robot Test Field”:
An important base for Japan’srobotics technology
development
Background to the ProjectContributing to Fukushima’s recovery bybuilding up robot technology
In order to revive local industries along thecoast of Fukushima Prefecture that were lostin the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, asa national policy Japan is endeavouring tocreate a cluster of industries such as robotics,
energy, and agriculture/forestry/fisheries, aswell as expand human resources training andFukushima’s non-resident population in an
initiative called the “Fukushima Innovation
Coast Framework.” Based on this framework,in 2020 Fukushima Prefecture established the“Fukushima Robot Test Field” on the coast in
Minamisoma City and Namie Town as a large
development and testing base for field robots
designed for land, sea, and air use.

Fukushima Prefecture

1. Development Base Area
The largest robot technology R&D base inJapan
Used as an R&D/verification testing base,the main building (research building) houses
the laboratories of 20 organisations, including
companies, universities, and research
institutions. The building is also home to theFukushima Technology Center Minamisoma
Technical Support Centre, which provides
usage support for environmental testing
equipment, machining devices, and analytical
instruments, as well as consultation services
regarding robot technology.

Project Aims
By creating a one-of-a-kind testing field,
the project aims to contribute to Fukushima’s
recoverythroughrobottechnology
innovation.
Project Outline
Making practical testing possible using all
types of field robots for land, sea, and air
Fukushima Robot Test Field is located on anapprox. 500,000 m2 site in Minamisoma City,and comprises the four areas described below.
In addition, the facility has a 400 m airstrip
located in Namie Town that enables longdistance test flights.
This test field is also an important Japanesebase for drone verification testing and training,
and is the only test flight base for “flying cars”
in Japan.

[Development Base Area] Research Building
2. Unmanned Aircraft Area
From drones to flying cars, this facility
conducts testing of a diverse range of
unmanned aircraft
On an area of land twice the size of a soccer
field is an airfield surrounded by a 15 m highnet with a 500 m long airstrip. This facility isused by companies conducting R&D on drones
1and flying cars.

is unique in the world
This area comprises a “Submerged UrbanField” and “Indoor Water Tank” that recreate
flood disaster scenarios and is used forverification testing of underwater robots andlifesaving training.
The Indoor Water Tank testing building
training is being carried out for operating
underwater cameras on the underwater
robots being used for decommissioning
reactors at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear
Power Plant.

[Unmanned Aircraft Area] Transport testing ofblood for transfusion

Features and Innovation
A practical test field unmatched in theworld for its ability to handle all types of fieldrobots
In order for drones and other robots to play
an active role on the frontlines in times ofnatural disasters and help with building
infrastructure, development bases are
essential; however, virtually nowhere in theworld are there any large-scale facilities where
it is possible to conduct tests realistically forsuch varied situations.
Not only can the “Fukushima Robot Test
Field” handle robots for land, sea, and air, it isa one-of-a-kind facility where testing can be
carried out in extremely unique and practicalfields.

3. Infrastructure Inspection and Disaster
Response Robot Area
A practical test field recreating an entire
urban area
With a mockup tunnel, a mockup bridge,
and mockup plant buildings, this facility
recreates an entire urban area. It is used bycompanies conducting R&D on infrastructure
inspections by robots and automatic driving inurban areas.
In addition, the mockup tunnel and plant
have been selected as competition venues for
the World Robot Summit, which is to be heldin 2021.

Results of the Project
1. Researchers around the world focus
their attention on one-of-a-kind test
fields
As of October 2020, approx. 30,000
researchers have visited the test field andmore than 240 verification tests have been
carried out.
Furthermore, local companies have begun
supplying parts and developing prototypes,
with robot research bases being newly
established along the coast of Fukushima
Prefecture by 56 companies and organisations.

[Infrastructure Inspection and Disaster
Response Robot Area] Verification of 3D
tunnel inspection system

2. Main Activities and Results(1) Guidance provided for improving drone
safety through public disclosure of API(Application Programming Interface)

4. Underwater and Maritime Robot Area
A “Submerged Urban Field” test field that2

More than 100 flights/km2/hr
successfully carried out by multiple
drone manufacturers(3) Independent collision avoidance testing
successfully carried out on unmanned
aircraft against manned helicopters at a
relative speed of 100 km/hr (world first)(2)

Key Terms◆API (Application Programming Interface)
Originally meaning something connecting“applications, software” and “programs,” here
this term refers to platforms that enable
authentication functions to be shared andmutual data analysis to be carried out acrossdifferent software and services.

Future Developments
1. Promote robot technology as a leading
robot facility in Japan and contribute tothe recovery of Fukushima
The facility will endeavour to nurture robotrelated industries in Fukushima Prefecture
and promote related industries with the aimof generating innovative “Made-in-Fukushima”
robot technology and products.
2. Develop robot technology as a means ofovercoming the issue of Japan’s declining
population
In addition, the facility will promote
innovation
inrobot
technology incollaboration with government bodies andrelated institutions with the aim of realising
flying cars, as well as a safe and affluent
society.
3. Demonstrate initiative as a major basefor robot R&D in JapanThe facility aims to be an organisation thatis capable of demonstrating an internationalpresence in terms of formulating guidelines
for the application of robot technology tosocial issues, as well as rules and regulations
for training and diffusing the necessary humanresources.
Reference URLs
https://www.fipo.or.jp/vision(“Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework” (inJapanese))https://www.fipo.or.jp/robot/(Fukushima Robot Test Field (in Japanese))Contact
Division in charge: Government
Industry Promotion Unit
Phone: +81-024-521-8568
E-mail: robot@pref.fukushima.lg.jp

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