JPI Seminar: Bridgestone Corporation – Why Soft Robotics Now? Practical Insights from 'TETOTE' and Two Years of Commercialization

JPI (Japan Planning Institute) is hosting a seminar featuring Mr. Tetsuichi Otoyama, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Bridgestone Corporation’s Soft Robotics Ventures, who will provide in-depth insights on the topic: Why soft robotics now? Practical knowledge from 'TETOTE' and two years of commercialization.

[Details and Registration] https://www.jpi.co.jp/seminar/17806

[Title]

Bridgestone Corporation: Why Soft Robotics Now? Practical Insights from 'TETOTE' and Two Years of Commercialization

[Date and Time]

June 29, 2026 (Mon) 09:30 – 11:30

※ Applications for archived distribution are accepted even after the seminar concludes.

[Speaker]

Bridgestone Corporation

Soft Robotics Ventures

CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

Mr. Tetsuichi Otoyama

▶ Successfully led the internal venture initiative in soft robotics, achieving commercialization just two years after initial concept.

[Practical Insights Gained from the Seminar]

- Why “soft robots” are in demand now and the market background

- The specific value and practical applications enabled by the soft robotic hand 'TETOTE'

- The practical process of commercializing a new venture from a large corporation within two years

[Target Industries and Departments]

- Manufacturing: Production technology, automation promotion, and robotics implementation teams

- Logistics and retail: Warehouse operations, labor reduction, and operational reform departments

- Corporations and trading companies: New business development and investment personnel in robotics and AI fields

[Lecture Overview]

Bridgestone’s first internal venture, Soft Robotics Ventures, has developed a universal soft robotic hand called 'TETOTE' and achieved commercialization just two years after transitioning from a project preparation office.

Facing the challenges of new venture creation within large enterprises, the team has pursued innovative value creation through practical trial and error, including translating technological capabilities into social and customer value, building organizations that maximize existing assets, and fostering collaboration through shared empathy and co-creation.

This lecture will introduce the transformative potential of soft robotics—combining flexibility and safety—for human-robot coexistence, while also discussing its relationship with the trending concept of Physical AI. Attendees will gain real-world insights into the journey from concept to commercialization of a new business.

[Lecture Agenda]

1. Overview of the Soft Robotics Business

(1) What is the Soft Robotics Business?

(2) Why Soft Robots Now?

(3) The Universal Soft Robotic Hand 'TETOTE' Born from Rubber Actuator Technology

2. Challenges in Commercializing Soft Robotics

(1) Step 1: Business Conceptualization

(2) Step 2: Strategy and Team Building

(3) Step 3: Execution and Establishment

3. Secrets to Breaking Through in New Ventures

4. Q&A Session

5. Business Card Exchange and Networking

This seminar offers a rare opportunity, unique to JPI, to engage in direct dialogue and Q&A with a speaker who is typically difficult to access, as well as to network with participants across industries and sectors, gaining practical insights and potential collaboration opportunities.

[Attendance Formats]

● On-site attendance (archived distribution not included)

● Live streaming attendance (archived distribution not included)

● Archived distribution attendance

※ On-site and live streaming attendees can add archived distribution at a special rate of 18,500 JPY (tax included).

[Registration Fees]

1 person: 37,790 JPY (tax included)

2 or more people: 32,790 JPY (tax included / same organization, simultaneous registration)

※ For employees of local public entities: up to 2 people at 11,000 JPY (tax included / on-site or live streaming only, same attendance format)

[Details and Registration] https://www.jpi.co.jp/seminar/17806

◆ After the seminar, we can relay your questions to the speaker.

◆ This event is highly effective for building human networks among speakers and participants, fostering new business opportunities.

◆ Applications for archived distribution are accepted even after the seminar concludes.

[Inquiries]

Japan Planning Institute Co., Ltd.

Kowa Hiroo Building, 5-2-32 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047

TEL. 03-5793-9761　FAX. 03-5793-9767

URL: https://www.jpi.co.jp

[About JPI (Japan Planning Institute)]

For half a century, JPI has served as a “bridge of knowledge” among government, public institutions, and private sectors, supporting national policies and large-scale national projects. We continue to provide valuable, real-world seminar information exclusively to executives and senior managers to aid in their mission execution.