DEBRIS REMOVAL
CRD2 (Commercial Debris Removal Demonstration)
Research and development related to the Commercial Debris Removal Demonstration (CRD2).
RESEARCHER · ROBOTICS ENGINEER
Yuki Ikeda
Space × AI × Robotics
Developing robotic systems that autonomously perceive,
make decisions, and act in space environments.
01 / ABOUT
Bridging intelligent robotics on Earth
and robotics in space.
Drawing on my experience in terrestrial intelligent robotics, particularly service robots, and in space robotics research and development since joining JAXA, I work to connect these two fields. My research focuses on bringing intelligent robotics to space applications.
This site presents selected research topics, development projects, and research outputs.
02 / CAREER
Affiliations & experience
Last synced: 2026-10-04 (UTC) · researchmap ↗
Current affiliations
- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) / Research and Development Directorate
- FromEARTH Inc. (JAXA Startup) / Representative Director & CEO
- Soka University / Graduate School of Science and Engineering / Doctoral Program in Information Systems Science (Doctoral Degree)
- Soka University / Center for Intelligent Robotics and Sensing Co-Creation / Researcher
Experience
2026-08 – Present
FromEARTH Inc. (JAXA Startup) / Representative Director & CEO
2026-04 – Present
Soka University / Center for Intelligent Robotics and Sensing Co-Creation / Researcher
2024-06 – 2025-11
SpaceData Inc. / Lead in Space Robotics Development
2023-04 – Present
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) / Research and Development Directorate / Engineer
03 / PROJECTS
Selected projects
2023–Present
SIMULATION & DYNAMICS
SATDyn / C2Dyn
Research and development related to SATDyn and C2Dyn simulation and experimental systems for space robotics.
ROBOT SOFTWARE
Space ROS
Research and development related to Space ROS for space robotics.
ROBOT COMPETITION
RoboCup@Space
A space-robotics competition and benchmark connecting terrestrial AI and robotics research with future orbital robotic operations.
FromEARTH Inc.
2026–Present
SPACE ROBOTICS
Intra-station Robot
Development of a robot for use inside space stations at FromEARTH Inc.
SpaceData Inc.
2024–2026
FREE-FLYING ROBOT
Q — Intra-station Robot
Q is an AI-powered autonomous robot for use inside space stations. It flies freely through the cabin using built-in propellers. It was developed to support astronauts by reducing their workload and lowering the operational costs of their activities.
DIGITAL TWIN
Int-Ball2 Digital Twin
An in-orbit demonstration using JAXA’s Int-Ball2 was conducted to develop the digital twin technology needed for Q. The robot’s motion aboard the ISS (left) was compared with its motion in the simulator (right) as part of this demonstration.
SOBITS (Soka University)
2017–2023
SOBITS / SOKA UNIVERSITY
SOBIT EDU
SOBIT EDU is an AI-powered autonomous service robot. It combines object recognition and manipulation with autonomous navigation and natural communication, bringing together fundamental capabilities for helping people in their everyday lives.
SOBITS / SOKA UNIVERSITY
SOBIT MINI
SOBIT MINI is an AI-powered autonomous service robot. Developed for everyday assistance and an approachable appearance, it features carefully designed head and body shapes, along with expressive behaviors such as blinking.
SOBITS / SOKA UNIVERSITY
SOBIT PRO
SOBIT PRO is an AI-powered autonomous service robot. Addressing limitations of EDU and MINI, it combines omnidirectional mobility and an expanded grasping range with a gripper-mounted RGB-D camera for improved perception.
SOBITS / SOKA UNIVERSITY
SOBY
SOBY is an AI-powered autonomous robot with two legs and two wheels. Its charming design explores how simply being nearby, even without performing tasks, can offer companionship and help robots support people.
04 / PUBLICATIONS
Research outputs
Last synced: 2026-10-04 (UTC) · researchmap ↗
Publications
1 shown / 1 public records
- Development of an Object Detection Method Applicable to the Autonomously Learning Intelligent System in Life Support
Yuki Ikeda, Yongwoon Choi · Soka University Master's Thesis · 2023-03
Presentations
10 shown / 28 public records
- Prospects for Human-Robot Collaborative Technologies in Spacecraft through Robot Competitions
Taisei Nishishita, Yuki Ikeda, Akihiko Honda, Yoshinobu Hagiwara, Hiroyuki Okada · 44th Annual Conference of the Robotics Society of Japan · 2026-09-03
- Development of an Open-Source Dual-Arm Mobile Manipulator for Robot Foundation Models
Keith Valentin Cardenas, Fumiya Ono, Koshiro Suzuki, Yusaku Hanajima, Jiahao Sim, Junho Lee, Taro Tsukada, Kenta Sato, Yuki Ikeda, Yoshinobu Hagiwara, Yongwoon Choi · 44th Annual Conference of the Robotics Society of Japan · 2026-09-02
- [Keynote Speech] Design and Implementation of a Space AI Robot Benchmark at RoboCup JapanOpen 2026 @Space Challenge
Yuki Ikeda, Yoshinobu Hagiwara, Taisei Nishishita, Akihiko Honda, Hiroyuki Okada · 44th Annual Conference of the Robotics Society of Japan · 2026-09-02
- Development of the ROS-Based SATDyn/C2Dyn Technology Demonstration Platform for Space Robotics and Its Extension to Space ROS (RACS2)
Yuki Ikeda, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Taisei Nishishita, Hiroki Kato · ROSCon JP 2026 · 2026-08-04
- Expansion of RoboCup Competitions into Space
Yuki Ikeda · Kayamori Foundation of Informational Science Advancement 30th Anniversary RoboCup Workshop · 2026-02-28
- RoboCup@Space Challenge Tutorial
Yuki Ikeda · The 13th Intelligent Home Robotics Workshop · 2025-12-14
- Toward RoboCup@Space: A Virtual Competition Platform for Int-Ball2 Tasks in the JEM Environment
Taisei Nishishita, Yuki Ikeda, Seiko Piotr Yamaguchi · International Conference on Space Robotics 2025 Workshop · 2025-12-04
- A Demonstration of Space ROS (RACS2) with the TurtleBot3 Platform
Yuki Ikeda, Taisei Nishishita, Hiroki Kato · International Conference on Space Robotics 2025 Workshop · 2025-12-04
- Development of a Novel On-Orbit Servicing Technology Demonstration Platform (C2Dyn)
Hiroyuki Okamoto, Yuki Ikeda · The 69th Space Science and Technology Conference · 2025-11-28
- Development of Tether-Managed Free-Flyer Robot and Hovercraft Testbed for Next-Generation Space Stations
Yuki Ikeda, Keith Valentin, Yu Ozawa, Tori Shimizu, Koshiro Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Ito · The 69th Space Science and Technology Conference · 2025-11-25