Self-driving laboratories in Japan






















* Corresponding authors
a
Medical Research Laboratory, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
E-mail:
yoshikawa.naruki@tmd.ac.jp
b Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
c Institute of Engineering Innovation, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
d National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Ibaraki, Japan
e Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
f Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Japan
g Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
h School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
i RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Hyogo, Japan
j Laboratory Automation Suppliers' Association, Hyogo, Japan
k Center for Green Research on Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Ibaraki, Japan
l Center for Advanced Battery Collaboration, Center for Green Research on Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Ibaraki, Japan
m Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
n JST, ERATO Maeda Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery Project, Hokkaido, Japan
o Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Ibaraki, Japan
p National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
q Robotic Biology Institute Inc., Tokyo, Japan
r Department of Applied Physics, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan
s Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
t Center for Artificial Intelligence Research, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
u RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, Tokyo, Japan
v IBM Research, Tokyo, Japan
w Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
x Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki, Japan
y Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
z NexaScience, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
aa OMRON SINIC X Corp., Tokyo, Japan
Abstract
Self-driving laboratories (SDLs) are transforming the scientific discovery process worldwide by integrating automated experimentation with data-driven decision-making. Japan, known for its automation industry, is actively contributing to this field. This perspective introduces Japan's efforts in SDL development, including diverse applications across materials science, biology, chemistry, and software. In addition, it covers national funding programs, research communities, and Japanese industries supporting progress in this field. It also highlights the importance of education, standardization, and benchmarking for the future growth of SDL research.
