Rakuten Mobile and University of Tsukuba Begin 5G Experiential Design Special Joint Research Project

Tokyo, April 15, 2021 – Rakuten Mobile, Inc. and the University of Tsukuba announced the signing on April 1, 2021 of an agreement for a Special Joint Research Project^*1 to focus on 5G Experiential Design.

Through interdisciplinary research and development, the project aims to generate creation of new 5G use cases^*2 and business models. By combining Rakuten Mobile’s expertise in 5G and online services with the University of Tsukuba’s wide-ranging research expertise in medicine, IT, system engineering, the arts, sports and more, both organizations aim to drive research and development of new 5G experiences.

Specific topics of research are listed below.

Main topics of the 5G Experiential Design Special Joint Research Project
1. R&D and trials of remote medical care using telepresence technology^*3
2. R&D and trials of product delivery services using autonomous delivery robots
3. Expansion of cultural and artistic experiences, such as media art, that allow users to experience 5G
4. Through the use of large volumes of data, development of advanced sports performance analysis capabilities and new sports viewing experiences
Project period: April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2023 (two years)

Discussion is also underway regarding construction of Rakuten Mobile 5G base stations inside the University of Tsukuba campus, for purposes including support of this project. Construction of base stations would allow practical trials in and around the campus, allowing for more frequent trials for each research topic and greater research precision through more efficient trial processes, as well as prepare for future practical implementation.

Through R&D and trials of revolutionary technology in the world of mobile communications, both Rakuten Mobile and the University of Tsukuba aim to contribute to the advancement of society.

*1 The Special Joint Research Project is an industry-university collaboration program announced by the University of Tsukuba on December 1, 2014, in which the university receives funds from external corporations and other organizations to form in-house research organizations comprised of both external and university researchers.

*2 ‘Use case’ refers to a set of interactions between two parties such as a service provider and user to achieve a specific goal.

*3 ‘Telepresence’ technology provides a highly realistic remote experience through high-quality audio and high-resolution video.