Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, is now accepting proposals for the Miraikan Living Lab, a public demonstration experiment program that will see the general public participate widely in the project as an open "experimental field"

　Since its opening in 2001, Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, has been working to stimulate communication between visitors and researchers and promote research through its "research area," which is home to cutting-edge science and technology research projects from universities and research institutes. In April 2021, the museum announced its new vision, "A platform to create the 'future' together with you," and aims to further strengthen its role as a place where a variety of stakeholders, including not only visitors but also companies, universities, research institutes, and creators, can gather to promote research and development aimed at social implementation.

　Miraikan Living Lab is an open program that uses Miraikan facilities as a field to conduct demonstration experiments and other activities with the participation and cooperation of visitors. The program calls for proposals that aim to share the development process and challenges with general visitors through experiences with ongoing research and development and product and service development, and to use feedback from participants for development and social implementation. Rental facilities and permanent exhibition zones within the museum can be used as venues. In addition to exhibitions and events, by providing a wide range of spaces within the museum where visitors can easily participate in demonstration experiments, the program will create an opportunity for the general public to actively participate in creating the society of the future.

　Regarding the call for applications, Director Asakawa said, "We hope that this initiative will not only allow participants in the demonstration experiment to experience the latest science and technology, but also provide an opportunity for them to increase their interest in research and development through communication with the implementers. We look forward to receiving many applications from people who support our initiative and can use it to create the future."

* "Living Lab" is a combination of the words "Living" (living space) and "Lab" (experimental space), and refers to a platform or process for experimenting and researching new technologies and services in a living environment. Not only researchers and developers, but also various stakeholders such as citizens, companies, and government agencies participate in the project, aiming to solve problems and bring about innovation.

Reference: Miraikan: The museum becomes an open "experimental field" - Miraikan Living Lab, a public demonstration experiment program, has been launched