Haneda Innovation City (HICity), a multi-purpose facility near Haneda Airport in Ota Ward, Tokyo, in which visitors can experience various cutting-edge technologies and cultural features, began operations in full on Sept. 18.
A self-driving bus service, and about 30 kinds of robots, such as security, cleaning and transporting robots were demonstrated at a ceremony and exhibition on the day.
Visitors were able to enjoy viewing the state-of-the-art technologies.
HICity is directly connected with Tenkubashi Station of Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu train lines.
Haneda Future Development Co., which was jointly capitalized by Kajima Corp. and eight other partner firms, rents about 5.9 hectares of land from the Ota ward government. On the land which was used as a part of the airport precincts, the public and private sectors are jointly constructing HICity. The whole of HICity is scheduled to be completed in fiscal 2022.
In HICity, there are such facilities such as a 3,000 person capacity live-performance hall; a conference and training center with an overnight stay option; an R&D base; a facility where visitors experience digital art; restaurants; and a foot spa from which visitors can view the airport.
A fifth-grade elementary school student, 11, in the ward talked to a robot that can chat with visitors and guide them via teleoperation. "I like robots," he said. "I'm glad because I can get up close and see different kinds of them."
During its opening events which last until Sept. 22, visitors can enjoy a stamp rally in which they tour the inside of HICity watching the robots' activities, as well as the Ukiyoe the World show introducing the attractiveness of ukiyoe woodblock prints and paintings, and other features.
Teruaki Yamaguchi, president of Haneda Future Development, said, "I hope as many people as possible gather here as a place of rest. Also, I want this place to be a community where new technologies, cultures and industries will be born."
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