Future Lifestyles Changed by Physical AI.
With support from Google.org, the Longevity Science Promotion Foundation and NHK Enterprises are launching 'Challenge ATOM', a physical AI contest for students, offering up to 1 million yen in grants to solve super-aging society challenges.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:23 (2h 23m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 04:05 (219h 41m after Collected)
A new physical AI contest for students called "Challenge ATOM," supported by Google.org, has started. We have begun recruiting student teams nationwide.
## AI moves from the "Brain" to the "Body."
New contest "Challenge ATOM" launched to tackle the implementation of the next trend, "Physical AI."
### Supported by Google.org, the project "Challenge ATOM," specialized in Physical AI, has started.
This project is a contest for students to develop physical AI that solves the challenges of a super-aging society. It aims to shape future lifestyles and society through the creativity and technical skills of the young people who will lead the next generation.
We are looking for participating teams of technical college, university, and graduate students nationwide for the FINAL stage to be held in December.
The project is hosted by the Foundation for Longevity Science Promotion, and planned and produced by NHK Enterprises, Inc.
### What is Challenge ATOM?
Once, during the era when Japan was ascending to become a technological superpower, there was a hero who flew carrying people's dreams.
It was "Astro Boy" (Tetsuwan Atom).
Atom was not just a machine, but a symbol of "hope" showing a future where technology stands close to people.
Time has passed, and we are currently facing the unprecedented challenge of a declining birthrate and aging population.
However, this difficult situation is exactly the stage for our next evolution.
Isn't now the time to inherit the spirit that Atom embodied: "free dreams and the overwhelming technical power to make them come true"?
What we seek are young talents who possess both the "conceptual power" to envision a new society and the "implementation power" to shape those dreams with technology. Challenge ATOM is a project that does not just end with "imagining" the future, but "moving" it with one's own hands.
### Backing the implementation of Physical AI with support from Google.org
In Challenge ATOM, we will support the development of student teams under the theme of "Physical AI that paves the way for the era of a 100-year lifespan." Selected teams will be provided with a prototype development grant of up to 1 million yen.
During the development period, hands-on support by frontline researchers and engineers is also planned.
Entries will be accepted from February to the end of June 2026, and after a development period, the FINAL stage (presentations and product demonstrations) is scheduled to be held from December 21 to 23 at Shibuya Stream Hall.
Official website: https://www.c-atom.tech
### Application Requirements
**Target Audience**
Students enrolled in technical colleges (including advanced courses), universities, graduate schools (master's / early doctoral), and academies within Japan (excluding late doctoral programs). Age, gender, and nationality do not matter (those capable of communicating in Japanese).
**Team Composition**
Entry is possible from 1 person (no upper limit on the number of people, joint teams with other schools and overlapping members are also possible).
## AI moves from the "Brain" to the "Body."
New contest "Challenge ATOM" launched to tackle the implementation of the next trend, "Physical AI."
### Supported by Google.org, the project "Challenge ATOM," specialized in Physical AI, has started.
This project is a contest for students to develop physical AI that solves the challenges of a super-aging society. It aims to shape future lifestyles and society through the creativity and technical skills of the young people who will lead the next generation.
We are looking for participating teams of technical college, university, and graduate students nationwide for the FINAL stage to be held in December.
The project is hosted by the Foundation for Longevity Science Promotion, and planned and produced by NHK Enterprises, Inc.
### What is Challenge ATOM?
Once, during the era when Japan was ascending to become a technological superpower, there was a hero who flew carrying people's dreams.
It was "Astro Boy" (Tetsuwan Atom).
Atom was not just a machine, but a symbol of "hope" showing a future where technology stands close to people.
Time has passed, and we are currently facing the unprecedented challenge of a declining birthrate and aging population.
However, this difficult situation is exactly the stage for our next evolution.
Isn't now the time to inherit the spirit that Atom embodied: "free dreams and the overwhelming technical power to make them come true"?
What we seek are young talents who possess both the "conceptual power" to envision a new society and the "implementation power" to shape those dreams with technology. Challenge ATOM is a project that does not just end with "imagining" the future, but "moving" it with one's own hands.
### Backing the implementation of Physical AI with support from Google.org
In Challenge ATOM, we will support the development of student teams under the theme of "Physical AI that paves the way for the era of a 100-year lifespan." Selected teams will be provided with a prototype development grant of up to 1 million yen.
During the development period, hands-on support by frontline researchers and engineers is also planned.
Entries will be accepted from February to the end of June 2026, and after a development period, the FINAL stage (presentations and product demonstrations) is scheduled to be held from December 21 to 23 at Shibuya Stream Hall.
Official website: https://www.c-atom.tech
### Application Requirements
**Target Audience**
Students enrolled in technical colleges (including advanced courses), universities, graduate schools (master's / early doctoral), and academies within Japan (excluding late doctoral programs). Age, gender, and nationality do not matter (those capable of communicating in Japanese).
**Team Composition**
Entry is possible from 1 person (no upper limit on the number of people, joint teams with other schools and overlapping members are also possible).