SEARCH

Discover an unexplored cutting-edge

Exploring
Research Projects

Exploring and investigating research projects requires broad insight, deep expertise, and diverse perspectives. There are limits to activities that rely on the abilities of individual researchers. In our exploration, we invite researchers engaged in the most advanced research from a variety of fields. Through discussions with these researchers, we work to discover unexplored research projects from many standpoints.

Framework of research project creation

SEARCH

Which mountain should I choose from the mountain range?

Activities that look across the vast mountain range [research field] and discover an unexplored, cutting-edge, and interdisciplinary mountain [research project]

EXPLORATION

Are there any precious gemstones in that mountain?

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Exploration program

Create research topics from interdisciplinary research areas

We are taking up challenges and creating research projects from an unexplored interdisciplinary field that integrates three fields of science of intelligence/intellect (mathematical science + information science), life science, and matter/material science.
Launched in 2022, the program invites academics from a variety of fields to serve as research advisors and hosts programs to discuss interdisciplinary topics based on cutting-edge research achievements.

Period: 1 year
No. of researchers: Up to 30

*Science of Intelligence/Intellect:
mathematical science + information science
Research Advisors 2024

Approach to project creation

Researchers gathered from different fields to create interdisciplinary themes. We divided the discussion forum into the two steps of “broadening ideas” and “converging,” thus creating a total of four steps.

STEP 01

Getting to know each other

[Meetup]

Learn about cutting-edge topics in other research fields

STEP 02

Broadening ideas

[Workshop]

Ensure psychological safety and enrich ideas

STEP 03

Converging

[Workshop] & [Ideathon]

Converge different ideas and refine topics

STEP 04

Deciding

[Contest]

Decide based on the appeal of the topics

Co-creation activities between research coordinators and academia

Co-create advanced research projects as research coordinators lead deep interactions with academic researchers

Approach to creating projects

STEP 01

Acquire an overview of the basic research fields

Based on publicly available information, we organized the engineering fields, in which the Toyota Group is primarily involved, and the surrounding science fields.

STEP 02

List research fields to target and academic researcher candidates for those fields

Research coordinators brainstormed potential research fields. Subsequently, drawing on insights from the Exploration Program and the Lecture Series, we identified professors well-suited to lead research in these target fields.

STEP 03

Create research projects through intensive discussion with academia

We discussed the specific research topics with professors and established research projects.

Research fields established for 2023

  1. Research areas for which we need to acquire a comprehensive view and understand principles/rules in the three major exploration areas of Toyota Konpon Research Institute ― science of Matter/Materials, science of Intelligence/Intellect, and life science
  2. Emerging research fields with high potential for cross-disciplinary impact