Thinker CTO Motoki Nakano to Speak at Osaka University's 'Nano-Engineering Information Exchange Meeting'

Thinker Inc. (pronounced 'Shinker'), a company dedicated to making robots as easy to use as home appliances, headquartered in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, with CEO and Representative Director Hiromichi Fujimoto (hereinafter 'Thinker'), announces that its CTO, Motoki Nakano, will speak at the 'Reiwa 8 First Nano-Engineering Information Exchange Meeting' hosted by the Osaka University Consortium for Nano-Engineering Talent Development on Monday, June 22, 2026. This event aims to facilitate information exchange and discussion among participants by introducing cutting-edge R&D and technical topics from both industry and academia. The theme of this meeting is 'AI Technologies Supporting the Future'.

As AI technology rapidly advances, robotic hands have become indispensable for enabling robots to perform tasks, increasing their importance. Thinker, under the concept of 'robot hands that think with their fingertips,' combines flexible joints with edge AI-powered proximity sensors to achieve human-like 'tactile exploration.' The company is working on automating tasks such as bin picking and connector insertion, which have traditionally relied on human labor. Nakano will deliver a presentation titled 'The 'Tactile' Robot Hand Needed in the Physical AI Era,' sharing technical insights and practical implementation examples.

Event Overview

Event Name: Reiwa 8 First Nano-Engineering Information Exchange Meeting

Theme: AI Technologies Supporting the Future

Date and Time: Monday, June 22, 2026, 13:00–17:20

Venue: Room 305, 3rd Floor, Toyonaka Co-Creation Building A, Toyonaka Campus, Osaka University / Online

Organizer: Osaka University Consortium for Nano-Engineering Talent Development

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, June 16, Reiwa 8 (2026)

Fee: Please check the event details page.

※ Program and registration details are available on the event website.

Official Website: https://www.nanoscience.or.jp/consortium/

Robot Hand 'Think Hand proto-2' for Automating Wire Harness Insertion

Thinker has developed the robot hand 'Think Hand proto-2,' equipped with proprietary 'tactile connecting technology' that automates wire harness insertion using unique sensing technology. Previously, Thinker contributed to manufacturing automation through the implementation of 'tactile picking technology,' enabling robot hands to grasp randomly placed parts and place them in designated locations. By integrating this new 'tactile connecting technology,' the company can now cover not only sorting and placing parts but also installation, assembly, and insertion processes, significantly expanding the potential for automation in manufacturing environments.

More details: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000071.000106143.html

Next-Generation Robot Hand 'Think Hand F'

A newly developed robot hand that realizes the concept of 'grasping while feeling' through a unique design. It enables picking of randomly stacked objects without relying solely on camera-based image recognition systems, which tend to be expensive. By combining flexible joints with proximity sensors capable of 3D displacement measurement, the hand can adapt to object shapes and grasp them without depending entirely on cameras, contributing to the reduction of total automation system costs.

Company Overview

Name: Thinker Inc.

Address: Osaka Center Building 6F-188, 4 Chome-1-3 Kutaromachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka 541-0056

Representative: CEO and Representative Director Hiromichi Fujimoto

Founded: August 2022

Business Description: Aiming to create a society where humans and robots collaborate and evolve together, the company is developing robot hands capable of independent thinking and decision-making.

URL: https://www.thinker-robotics.co.jp/

Note: The name 'Thinker' embodies the ideas of 'a group that thinks deeply,' 'a thinking robot,' and 'accelerating robot evolution (shinka).'

Related Links

・Thinker wins the Grand Prix 'Startup Award' at the 13th JR East Japan Startup Program DEMO DAY (PR TIMES, June 9, 2026)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000076.000106143.html

・New category 'Bin Picking Robot' added to the SME Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy with up to 50% support; Thinker participates as lead company — Thinker Model A, currently in registration process, to be exhibited at Aichi exhibition from June 11 (PR TIMES, June 8, 2026)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000075.000106143.html

・Japan's robot strategy for the Physical AI era: Thinker and SHIN-JIGEN propose the use of field-learning robots (TECH+, May 26, 2026)

https://news.mynavi.jp/techplus/article/20260526-4505741/

・Wire harness insertion finally automated by robot hand. 'Think Hand proto-2' connects parts by 'thinking with fingertips' (PR TIMES, May 19, 2026)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000071.000106143.html

・Thinker to demonstrate at JR East Japan's track maintenance — applying tactile pick-and-place technology to rail replacement preparation (PR TIMES, April 22, 2026)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000067.000106143.html

・Nasu Packaging, handling automotive parts, introduces 'Thinker Model A' bin-picking robot, automating packaging operations. Addresses labor shortages and promotes employment of people with disabilities (PR TIMES, April 13, 2026)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000065.000106143.html

・Thinker selected for Forbes Japan's '100 NEXT GENERATION LEADERS' (PR TIMES, December 1, 2025)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000060.000106143.html

・Learning from Star Trek to Build the Future [Kansai Neo-Leaders] (Osaka NEWS [TV Osaka News], published November 30, 2025)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LESNxCxN5dk

・Japanese government introduces Thinker as 'Japan's innovation' — praises proximity sensor in new robot 'Thinker Model A' on official SNS (PRTIMES, February 12, 2025)

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000048.000106143.html