【November 17】Physical AI × Construction & Infrastructure — Rethinking On-Site Operations in an Era of Labor Shortages | DOIC Metaverse Tour Event

2026/11/09

Events
News

As labor shortages continue to worsen in the construction and infrastructure sectors, how can AI and robots share the tasks traditionally performed by humans?

The construction and infrastructure sectors are facing a range of growing challenges, including labor shortages, a declining number of skilled workers, the need to address hazardous and physically demanding tasks, and the maintenance and management of aging infrastructure.

To address these challenges, expectations are growing for Physical AI, which enables AI to perceive and interpret real-world conditions, make decisions, and support or perform physical tasks through robots and machines.

The DOIC Technology Co-Creation Tour on November 17 will focus on the theme “Physical AI × Construction & Infrastructure.”

This event will feature cutting-edge research and industry-academia collaboration initiatives from Institute of Science Tokyo and Gunma University,focusing on automation and labor-saving technologies for construction and infrastructure sites, as well as the real-world implementation of next-generation mobility solutions.

Institute of Science Tokyo will introduce robotics technologies designed to support construction operations and infrastructure maintenance, including “semi-autonomous excavation technology” that combines human decision-making with autonomous robotic control, and an “automated inspection system for building exterior wall tiles” utilizing a parallel wire mechanism.

Gunma University will also introduce its industry-academia collaboration initiatives aimed at the real-world implementation of next-generation mobility technologies, including autonomous driving.

Beyond simply introducing new technologies, this event provides an opportunity to explore how humans and robots can share responsibilities in construction and infrastructure operations, how automation can reduce labor requirements, and the potential for joint research with companies and real-world implementation.

Even if you are unable to attend on the day, you can still register to receive access to the archived video at a later date.

We warmly invite professionals involved in construction, infrastructure maintenance, robotics, AI, automation, mobility, new business development, research and development, and industry-academia collaboration to join us.

Benefits of joining this tour

● An opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in robotics and Physical AI for the construction and infrastructure sectors.：Learn about the latest research developments aimed at addressing challenges in construction and infrastructure operations, including semi-autonomous excavation technologies that enable human-machine collaboration and automated inspection systems for building exterior walls.

●New Perspectives on On-Site Automation, Labor-Saving Solutions, and Advanced Infrastructure Maintenanc：Explore opportunities to address labor shortages and physically demanding tasks while improving the efficiency of infrastructure maintenance through human-robot collaboration, autonomous control technologies, and robotic inspection and diagnostic systems.

● Insights into Joint Research with Universities and New Business Development：Explore industry-academia collaboration initiatives aimed at the real-world implementation of robotics technologies in the construction and infrastructure sectors, as well as next-generation mobility solutions. Discover potential connections with your company’s technologies and business activities, and identify opportunities for joint research and Proof of Concept (PoC) projects.

▶Register now (Free / Limited to 50 participants)

Event Overview

■ Date & Time

Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Japan Standard Time, JST)
* An archived recording will be available (with English subtitles planned).
Even if you can’t join on the day, if you register we will send you the archived video afterward.

■ Featured Research and Topics (selected examples)

This event will showcase cutting-edge research and initiatives aimed at addressing challenges in the construction and infrastructure sectors, focusing on the automation of construction tasks through human-machine collaboration, robotic inspection and diagnosis of buildings, and the real-world implementation of next-generation mobility technologies.

● “Semi-Autonomous Excavation through Human-Machine Collaboration” (Institute of Science Tokyo)

This presentation will explore the potential for human-machine collaboration, more advanced construction operations, and reduced labor requirements through semi-autonomous excavation technology that combines human decision-making with autonomous robotic control.

●“Robots Inspect Building Exteriors” — Automated Inspection of Exterior Wall Tiles Using a Parallel Wire Mechanism (Institute of Science Tokyo)

This presentation will explore the potential of robotics technologies for building inspection and maintenance, including automated inspection systems for exterior wall tiles using a parallel wire mechanism, as well as opportunities to reduce labor requirements and improve the efficiency and sophistication of inspection and maintenance operations.

●“Industry-Academia Collaboration for the Real-World Implementation of Next-Generation Mobility” (Gunma University, Next-Generation Mobility Open Innovation Council)

This presentation will introduce industry-academia collaboration initiatives aimed at the real-world implementation of next-generation mobility technologies, including autonomous driving, through the activities of Gunma University’s Next-Generation Mobility Open Innovation Council.

※Speakers and program content are subject to change.

■ Venue DOIC Metaverse (Access details will be provided after registration; you can join via a PC browser.)

■ Participation Fee
Free of charge

■ Capacity
50 participants
* Registration will close once capacity is reached.

■ Registration
▶ https://forms.gle/t9v2URGtVbntPrK78
(Free of charge / Limited capacity)

What’s DOIC（Digital Open Innovation Campus）

DOIC is Japan’s largest university-led industry–academia collaboration support organization.
DOIC is a general incorporated association comprising 46 universities and research institutions from five countries, supporting companies in new business development and the resolution of technological challenges.

In the metaverse provided by DOIC,
DOIC operates a “digital campus” where research seeds and social implementation projects from universities and research institutions are showcased, enabling companies, universities, local governments, and other organizations to connect and co-create across organizational and regional boundaries.

In the metaverse provided by DOIC, various digital contents, including technological seeds, can be disseminated to the world and communicated anytime, anywhere. Industry, academia, government, municipalities, cultural figures, and citizens can collaborate through DOIC to form an organic network with people around the world.