Tsukuba University is launching a 2027 collaboration hub with a 15 billion yen investment. This initiative is for drone and self-driving car trials, plus a facility for 20 partner companies. 

29 June 2023 - The University of Tsukuba announced its plans to establish a substantial industry-academia collaboration hub in 2027. This upcoming hub will be developed near Tsukuba Station of Tsukuba Express, situated in Tsukuba City, lbaraki Prefecture.

The university's blueprint involves creating a 7,000-square-meter space dedicated to proofs of concept (PoC) for flying robots (drones) and self-driving cars. Additionally, a 14,000-square-meter facility will be erected to accommodate approximately 20 companies. This endeavor, costing over 15 billion yen, is part of a larger project that allocated 20 billion yen from university bonds in 2022. The investment will be offset by contributions in materials and collaborative research expenditures.

Leveraging interdisciplinary integration, the University of Tsukuba is committed to addressing societal challenges. One of their initiatives, the "Imagine The Future Forum (ITF.F)," facilitates companies utilizing the university's research prowess to conduct social experiments. The newly planned industry-academia collaboration base aligns seamlessly with this mission.

The chosen site boasts a former staff dormitory occupying 33,000 square meters, which will be cleared and primed for construction by 2025. The PoC space, measuring 100 meters in length, 70 meters in width, and 22 meters in height, can accommodate the passage of a 10-ton truck and house sizable experimental equipment. Envisioned events encompass the deployment of advanced technologies, such as e-sports competitions and virtual international conferences.

Tsukuba City's distinction as a Super City concept by the Cabinet Office underscores the anticipation of a distinctive plan within this special zone. Collaborating companies are set to establish the "Academia (B2A) Research Institute" within the proposed "Research Slot" building, situated in the vicinity of the University of Tsukuba. Already, ten companies spanning artificial intelligence (AI), sports, semiconductors, retail, and finance sectors, including publicly listed entities, have committed to relocating to this building. The ultimate aspiration is to foster pioneering enterprises by tapping into the university's diverse resources.

University bonds, instruments issued by national universities for enhancing research infrastructure, are integral to the project's financing. Following the University of Tokyo and Osaka University, the University of Tsukuba will receive these bonds. This strategic investment venture, aimed at yielding returns through industry-academia collaboration, is complemented by bank loans as well.

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