By combining visuals from VR headsets and large displays with haptic feedback, we provide a realistic kayaking experience even indoors.

Extending human senses and movements through networks

H2L Inc., NTT DOCOMO, Inc., Toppan Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation Future Creation Center, Mizuno Corporation, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. will join the “Human Augmentation Consortium”*1*2 (hereinafter referred to as “the Consortium”) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and begin its initiatives with the aim of solving social issues by applying human augmentation technologies—which extend human senses and movements through networks—across various fields.

This consortium was established with the aim of fostering the formation and expansion of the human augmentation ecosystem. It does so by conducting demonstrations and verifying the connectivity of devices, platforms, and applications—the building blocks of systems that enable human augmentation—as well as by promoting the international standardization of technologies necessary for human augmentation and disseminating information related to human augmentation through symposiums and the publication of white papers.

Human augmentation is attracting attention across various industries—including tourism, education, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare—as a means to address social challenges such as educational disparities, a shrinking workforce, and the decline of traditional culture. Companies participating in this consortium (hereinafter referred to as “participating companies”) are expected to accelerate the verification of interoperability among their respective human augmentation devices and other technologies, as well as facilitate matchmaking with business partners, thereby accelerating the further development of human augmentation initiatives and efforts to solve social challenges.

Going forward, participating companies will work across industries to address social issues through human augmentation and, through the activities of this consortium, contribute to the formation and expansion of the human augmentation ecosystem.

Comments from Participating Companies

• H2L, Inc.

We are engaged in research and development of technologies that enable the sharing of experiences through the transmission of proprioceptive sensations.
Through the development of devices and applications, the establishment of international technical standards, and the dissemination of information, we are committed to contributing to the realization and expansion of human augmentation.

• NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

Using our “Human Augmentation Platform®,” which extends human senses through a network, we are developing “FEEL TECH®”—a technology that converts and shares the movements and sensations of others in a way that aligns with the recipient’s body and sensory experience. Through our participation in this consortium, we will collaborate with various partners to help solve social challenges, thereby contributing to the realization of a “Wellbeing Society”—a society where every individual can shine, where people support one another, and where all possibilities are expanded.

https://www.docomo.ne.jp/corporate/technology/rd/tech/6g/pdf/feel_tech.pdf
＊ “Human Augmentation Platform” and “FEEL TECH” are registered trademarks of NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

• Toppan Corporation

Our company has been promoting research and development in the field of human augmentation, and has been working on the development and societal implementation of remote experience services. Through these efforts, we will combine human augmentation technologies—such as XR, the metaverse, and digital twins—with sensory sharing to address social challenges in areas such as skills transfer, education, and tourism, and to advance their societal implementation.

• Toyota Motor Corporation Future Creation Center

Since around 2000, our company has been engaged in research on partner robots designed to coexist with humans. Through our participation in this consortium, we aim to accelerate research and development in human augmentation technologies and next-generation communication technologies, with the goal of realizing “virtual mobility” that provides a sense of presence as if one were actually there, even while at a distance.

• Mizuno Corporation

In 2019, we established a new “Human Augmentation Research and Development Division” within our Research and Development Department. To address major societal changes—such as the declining birthrate, the rapidly aging population, and the diversification of lifestyles—which are expected to accelerate in the future, we began research and development on products and services designed to overcome the limitations of the human body. We expect that our participation in this consortium will further accelerate our research and development in human augmentation.

• Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.

Our company has been conducting research on trends in a wide range of technologies related to human augmentation, such as Beyond 5G and brain-machine interfaces. Leveraging the insights gained through this research, we will contribute to solving societal challenges through human augmentation by participating in discussions on technical standardization within this consortium.

※1　Press Release—“Human Augmentation Consortium” Established and Begins Operations:
https://human-aug.com/news/detail/article_01.html
※2　“Human Augmentation Consortium” Website:
http://human-aug.com

• Contact Information

H2L, Inc.
Public Relations and Sales Department
E-mail: info@h2l.jp

NTT DOCOMO, INC.
Mobile Innovation Tech Department, Use Case Co-creation Team
E-mail: feeltech-ml@ml.nttdocomo.com

TOPPAN CORPORATION
TOPPAN Holdings, Public Relations Division, Public Relations Department
E-mail: kouhou@toppan.co.jp

Toyota Motor Corporation, Future Creation Center
E-mail: frc_pr@mail.toyota.co.jp

Mizuno Corporation
Corporate Communications Office
E-mail: kouhou@mizuno.co.jp

Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
Group Public Relations Department
E-mail: media@mri.co.jp

Human Augmentation Consortium
Human Augmentation Consortium Secretariat
E-mail: contact@human-aug.com