This article explains the advanced research and skilled technology fusion for global expansion at Fukushima's robot and drone advanced region that the browser is currently accessing.
In Fukushima Prefecture, the "Fukushima Robot Test Field (RTF)" fully opened in March 2020, establishing a research and development demonstration base for land, sea, and air robots and drones with approximately 50 hectares (equivalent to 10 Tokyo Domes) in Minamisoma City and Namie Town. In April 2025, it was integrated into the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI), building a consistent system from research and development to demonstration testing. As of May 2025, more than 1,200 demonstration tests have been conducted at RTF, with over 80 robot-related companies establishing operations in the Hamadori region and other areas.
As an actual company example, venture company "KUFUUSIYA" established a base in Minamisoma City in February 2019, developing AI-powered autonomous four-legged robots at RTF. The company decided to establish operations based on three reasons: "easy demonstration testing," "concentration of small and medium enterprises with excellent technology," and "substantial administrative support." Additionally, Fukushima Sangi Kyokai has been developing "Dr.Bee," a drone for large wind power generation inspections since 2019, achieving commercialization as "Team Fukushima" through industry-academia-government collaboration with Fukushima University, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and Prefectural High-Tech Plaza.
The "WRS (World Robot Summit) 2025" is scheduled to be held in October 2025, hosted by F-REI. In the previous competition, the Minamisoma Robot Industry Council achieved second place, demonstrating steady progress in regional technological capability improvement and industrial concentration.
The article concludes that Fukushima has grown into a world-class research and development base in the robot and drone field while simultaneously pursuing disaster recovery, becoming a successful example of new industrial creation where regional technological capabilities and determination for recovery have merged.