SOXAI Concludes Joint Research Agreement with the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Education, Further Strengthening Research Collaboration

SOXAI Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Tatsuhiko Watanabe, hereinafter "SOXAI") has concluded a joint research agreement with the Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, on the theme of "Development of advanced smart rings for sleep, behavior, and physiological monitoring."

This joint research further develops the research and development of sleep and physiological monitoring technology using smart rings, which has been promoted through research collaboration with Visiting Professor Yoshimasa Yamamoto of The University of Tokyo.

**Overview of the Joint Research**

Since its establishment, SOXAI has been promoting the research and development of sleep and physiological monitoring technology using smart rings, drawing on the expertise of Visiting Professor Yoshimasa Yamamoto. In this joint research, we will further develop these efforts and advance the development of algorithms and architectures for smart ring devices to realize natural sleep, behavior, and physiological monitoring in daily life.

Utilizing the sleep, behavior, and physiological measurement environment of The University of Tokyo, we will aim to enhance the algorithms based on measurement data and verify the accuracy of devices developed by SOXAI. Furthermore, we aim to derive predictive indicators for health risks using smart rings, leveraging the insights gained from demonstration experiments.

**Research and Development Base and Research System**

To promote this joint research, SOXAI will utilize the aforementioned laboratory as a satellite research and development base, strengthening its research and development system through collaboration with The University of Tokyo.

Headquarters: Chuo Dai-6 Kannai Building 1102, 1-2-1 Furoucho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Research and Development Base: Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

The research system includes Visiting Professor Yoshimasa Yamamoto, who has international research achievements in the field of bioinformation science and served as a professor at the Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor Satoshi Kishi, who specializes in mental health and sleep science.

Visiting Professor Yoshimasa Yamamoto graduated from the Faculty of Education, The University of Tokyo, and completed his doctoral course at the Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Education. After working at the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo in Canada, among other positions, he engaged in education and research at The University of Tokyo from 1993. He served as a professor in the Department of Human Movement and Body Sciences, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, from August 2000 to March 2026. After retiring from his professorship, he was appointed as a visiting professor in the same graduate school from April 2026.

His specialties include educational physiology, health informatics, stress management, mind-body health, time series analysis, and complex systems. He is engaged in research on visualizing mind-body states, evaluating health risks, and preventive interventions through the analysis of biological information and health-related data. He has also been involved as a technical advisor for SOXAI since 2021, supporting the company's research and development and business development from an academic and professional standpoint since its founding.

Associate Professor Satoshi Kishi was appointed to the Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, on April 1, 2026, and is engaged in research on mental health and sleep science.

In this joint research, we will leverage the expertise of Visiting Professor Yoshimasa Yamamoto in bioinformation science and health informatics, and Associate Professor Satoshi Kishi's specialization in mental health and sleep science, to advance sleep, behavior, and physiological monitoring technology using advanced smart rings.

**Social Background of This Joint Research**

In recent years, with the promotion of work style reforms and health management, resolving employee sleep deprivation and improving sleep quality have become important management issues for companies. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, about 30% of people do not get enough rest through sleep, and sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality are considered to lead to social issues such as decreased productivity and increased medical expenses.

This joint research aims to build scientifically-based solutions for this social issue of sleep debt.

**Research Achievements and Future Outlook**

SOXAI is the only domestic smart ring company* that has emphasized joint research with academia since its establishment and has promoted evidence-based product development. In 2025, through joint research with the University of Tokyo and the University of Essex in the UK, we demonstrated high accuracy in sleep stage estimation using smart rings and achieved publication in IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. Through this joint research, we aim to further technological innovation and contribute to the widespread adoption of products and services that solve Japanese health challenges, especially sleep issues.

Moving forward, SOXAI will utilize the knowledge gained from this joint research to develop more accurate sleep and physiological monitoring technology, striving to realize its vision of "making healthcare a lifestyle."

*Only domestic smart ring company: Among companies established in Japan that develop, manufacture, and sell smart rings in-house (according to SOXAI's survey, as of April 2026).