Write a program. Write a love letter to the future.

It was successfully held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Chukyo University Nagoya Campus.
We deeply appreciate the cooperation of the participants and all concerned. Thank you very much. The children's programmed robot and BOYS AND MEN's older brothers dancing together will be aired around May 2021 along with the efforts with the robot in Aichi prefecture.

● Title:
Learn with Boys and Men! "Robot x Our Future" (tentative title)
● Broadcast TV station:
Nagoya TV
● Broadcast time:
Around May 2021

What is the Nishijima Robot Programming School?

NISHIJIMA ROBOT PROGRAMING SCHOOL

It’s a special robot education event, held irregularly,
that offers fun programing lessons and gives opportunities to consider
why learning about programming is important.

This robot helps individuals with limited mobility raise and lower their pants. There is also a new field of work called “robot philosopher”

Objectives

Outside of Japan, there is a field of study called Techno-Anthropology that considers technology from a philosophical point of view. One example is in Denmark, where citizens held votes on the theme of, “Is it OK to fire cleaning workers if a robot cleaner is installed?” That’s because introducing new technologies does not always make society a happier place. Sometimes what is best for systems is not what is best for the world.
　It is important for societies to consider not “technology” and “society” needs separately, but a combination of what is best for technology and society together. We hope that our robot school will be useful for bringing greater happiness to people in the future.

Robots and Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture robot industrial promotion/efforts within Aichi Prefecture/robot industry clusters

Aichi is the top prefecture in Japan for robots (in terms of the number of robot companies*1). With its traditional culture of making things, it fully supports not only automobiles, aviation, and aerospace, but Japan’s innovative robotics. In 2021, the World Robot Summit will be held at Aichi pref. The Japanese government is aiming to make Japan the world's leader in robot utilization, and Aichi is also applying its potential to make this happen throughout the prefecture. By sharing the importance and the fun of robot programming with elementary school students in the Tokai region (which includes Aichi), we hope to invigorate both Aichi and the entire area.

The World’s Robot Scientists and Japanese Entertainment

From the World Robot Summit 2018. The 2020 Summit will be entirely organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Yorichika Nishijima is a member of the Executive Committee.

Even if they had opportunities to meet world robot scientists, most robot developers in Japan started studying because they watched anime such as Doraemon, Astro Boy, and Mobile Suit Gundam and thought, “I want to create that kind of world.” This means there are many new worlds that have opened from fields such as anime, manga, and video games, which are usually not associated with studying. From another view, learning about robot programming can also lead to other important discoveries. We hope everyone will continue to enjoy their interests and join us in learning about robot programming.
The purpose of attending this school is not only to learn how to make robots and get better at programming. The main purpose is to discover a fun world for the future through robots.

Learning about Robots from Age 41

Nishijima studied at the Institute for an Industrial Safety Culture (ICSI) in France at age 42, his first time studying abroad. Cultural and technological risks are actually closely connected.

Nishijima first began studying robots from the age of 41. From there, he quickly became a robot expert. That means elementary school students can easily overtake him if they are serious about their goals. Before reaching that age, Nishijima sold TV commercial proposals to television stations, made commercials, TV programs and films, and worked on various kinds of events. His university major was “Family Communications.” It wasn’t a scientific field, and it had nothing to do with his work. But seeing the increasing diversity in modern society, he realized that there were important perspectives and discoveries he could make as a non-expert.
　What kind of things do you like to do? We are sure that if you keep working at them, someday the things you like could bring about a wonderful future for everyone.

What is a “Love Letter to the World”?

Kirobo is the robot astronaut developed jointly by Toyota Motor Corporation and the University of Tokyo. He gave a presentation at the Tokyo Olympics invitation ceremony and holds two Guinness World Records.

Perhaps this amateur became an expert because he was constantly thinking about the intersections between technology, society, and enjoyment. There is a famous story that Soichiro Honda, founder of Honda Motor Company, made his first motorbike because he wanted to make shopping for loved ones easier. One of the important considerations for making things in the future will be, “Will it make your loved ones smile?” When Nishijima was producing TV commercials, he often thought about “writing a love letter to the world,” and he wanted the recipients as well as the sponsor company and even his own family to enjoy his commercials.
　When Nishijima gives assignments to his university students, he always tells them, “Think of what will bring happiness to the people within three meters of you, and to all of society as well.”

Our Wishes for the Robot School

Nishijima gave a presentation on robots at the G7 Summit in Ise. If you look closely, you can see RoBoHon and Kirobo.

After living in Tokyo for forty years, Nishijima moved to Aichi to begin teaching at a university. There he was surprised to learn about the historical attractions and delicious foods in Aichi and its neighboring prefectures, Gifu and Mie. But most of all, he was thrilled to be surrounded by so many warm and kind people. He wanted to give something back, so he came up with this idea for a robot programming school.
　Nishijima has come this far thanks to the support of many colleagues, friends and students. But as a means of giving back to the community, he is funding this event entirely on his own. That is why it will be held irregularly. There may be some shortcomings along the way, so he appreciates your understanding. However, he is thankful every day for the warm support he has received. This will be different from the usual robotics lesson, but we hope all participants have fun learning with us.

MOVIE

Branding 120 seconds

Event

Event Dates Saturday, February 20, 2021
Target Elementary school to junior high school students and parents (30 pairs, about 60 people)
* This time, we will focus on those who were canceled the last time (2020). We do not recruit new people.
* We will shoot on the day and broadcast it as a program at a later date. Only for those who can approve the shooting.
* All entry fees are free
Overview
Attention We will also shoot for broadcasting on Nagoya TV and YOUTUBE over both days.
It will be aired at a later date along with interviews with the Aichi Prefectural Office.
Therefore, we may take pictures with a camera or respond to interviews.
As mentioned above, it is a qualification to participate if you accept these.
As an aid to creating various opportunities, rather than ending this event alone
I would like to spread it widely to the Tokai area.

＜February 29 event details @ Nagoya Broadcasting Network building＞

BOYS AND MEN, the Tokai area idol group, will lend their full support. After a dance performance by the members of BOYS AND MEN, the participating students and their guardians will program a RoBoHon to do the same kind of dance moves. When this is completed, BOYS AND MEN, the RoBoHons, and everyone will dance together! A simple programming language will be used, so even first-time programmers can do it. At the end, we will hand out an “idea sheet” for participants to think about by the next day. (The event will be held three times with 30 participants each. Please understand that participation times cannot be requested.)

＜March 11 morning event details @ Chukyo University Yagoto Campus＞

In the morning, we will discuss with the students of Chukyo University, "Why should we learn programming?" Using the completed idea sheet. Programming is just a tool for creating a happy future. Doraemon's tools are often tough because they use them incorrectly, right? It is not your tools but your thoughts that make society happy. We carry out a workshop to think about "why learn?" Which is one of the few robot classrooms.

中京大学

＜March 11 afternoon event details @ Chukyo University Yagoto Campus＞

In the afternoon, after the talk of the organizer Nishijima, Robohon's creator, Project Associate Professor Takahashi of the University of Tokyo, will come from Tokyo to give a special lecture. In addition, a talk session will be held with four people, including idols. Looking back on the robot classroom from the previous day. As a summary, "What should we do through programming to answer the unanswered questions overflowing in society?" And "What is the necessary technology now from the ideal of the future?" , We want to create opportunities to think.

中京大学
Organizer Nishijima Laboratory, Faculty of Letters, Chukyo University
Yorichika Nishijima (Teacher of Chukyo University / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry "World Robot Summit Executive Committee Member )
Cooperation Nagoya TV / Chukyo University / SHARP / Fortune Entertainment / FORWARD INTERNATIONAL / JABURO / Pro-SPEC / AIST Design School
Support Aichi Prefectural Office
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