Report on the Commemorative Event 'Sagamihara Future Forum' for 'Sagamihara Robot Friendly Day'

Sagamihara City has designated June 10 each year as "a day to feel close to robots and think about future society," officially establishing it as "Sagamihara Robot Friendly Day."

On Wednesday, June 10, the city held the inaugural commemorative event, the 'Sagamihara Future Forum,' inviting citizens to join in discussions about "a future living alongside robots." This report covers the event, which attracted many participants.

About the 'Sagamihara Future Forum'

The 'Sagamihara Future Forum' is an event focused on cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, space exploration, and AI, featuring keynote speeches and panel discussions by researchers, corporate representatives, and local government officials.

Amid ongoing population decline and aging society, robots and AI are increasingly expected not only in industrial fields but also in logistics, caregiving, education, and daily life support.

This event served as a core initiative of the 'Robot WEEK,' aiming to foster a culture where robots are accepted not as extraordinary entities but as familiar partners. It also aimed to share Sagamihara City's vision of building a 'city coexisting with robots' with the general public.

<Date and Time> June 10, 2026 (Wednesday), 14:00–16:00

<Venue> Sagamihara City Industrial Hall, Multipurpose Hall (3-12-1 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara City)

<Number of Participants> Approximately 180

<Organizer> Sagamihara City

<Co-organizers> Sagamihara City Foundation for Industrial Promotion, Sagamihara Industrial Creation Center Co., Ltd.

Event Program Reports

Keynote Speech ① "The Future of Space Development and Robotics"

Speaker: Dr. Shinichiro Sakai, Professor, Department of Spacecraft Engineering, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA

Dr. Sakai delivered an accessible and detailed lecture on the SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) project, including its objectives and development challenges. He explained how SLIM uses onboard cameras and sensors to analyze lunar terrain in real time and autonomously select safe landing sites. He also discussed how the spacecraft performs autonomous data processing and communication under limited communication conditions after launch.

Keynote Speech ② "The Future Society Pioneered by AI and Digital Twins"

Speaker: Dr. Hiroshi Yoshida, Chief Researcher, Real-World Modeling Research Group, Cyber Physical Intelligence Laboratory, Research & Development Division, NEC Corporation

Dr. Yoshida presented NEC's current AI and robotics development initiatives based on real-world examples from their R&D sites. In addition to introducing advanced robot control technologies leveraging NEC's strengths in communication systems, he also discussed approaches to reducing the "psychological unease" people may feel when robots are introduced into daily life.

Panel Discussion: "A Future Society Coexisting with Robots"

(Panellists)

- Dr. Tomomasa Sato, Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo

- Dr. Shinichiro Sakai, Professor, Department of Spacecraft Engineering, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA

- Dr. Hiroshi Yoshida, Chief Researcher, Real-World Modeling Research Group, Cyber Physical Intelligence Laboratory, Research & Development Division, NEC Corporation

- Kentaro Motoyama, Mayor of Sagamihara City

(Facilitator)

- Keisuke Fujimoto, Chairman, Sagamihara Robot Business Council

Under the theme "The Potential of Robots to Transform Society," the panel featured the mayor of Sagamihara and experts from various fields connected to the city. They discussed the potential social transformations brought by robots, the requirements for achieving a robot-friendly society, and the city's vision for becoming a robot-friendly community.

Dr. Tomomasa Sato, Dr. Shinichiro Sakai, Dr. Hiroshi Yoshida, Mayor Kentaro Motoyama

※ Sagamihara City's Vision

Sagamihara City aims not only to "produce" robots but also to become a city that implements a society where people "live alongside robots."

Through industry-academia-government collaboration in technological development, provision of real-world testbeds, and creating opportunities for citizen engagement, the city is working toward realizing a future society where robots are an integral part of everyday life.