Images: Balloon-Launched Rockets and Self-Healing Concrete: Fukushima Bringing Cutting-Edge Ideas to the World

The Robot Test Field (RTF) in Minamisōma. The facility offers an environment for infrastructure inspection work and disaster drills along with proof-of-concept experiments for drones, robots, and self-driving vehicles. (© Hashino Yukinori)

A display of drones and robots developed by companies based at RTF in the facility’s entrance hall. (© Hashino Yukinori)

The Minamisōma Incubation Center (MIC) offers startups rental offices and workspaces as well as support in raising capital and operating businesses. (© Hashino Yukinori)

A prototype gondola of Zip Infrastructure’s Zippar Urban Ropeway at the company’s manufacturing facility at MIC. (© Hashino Yukinori)

A visual representation of Zippar in an urban environment. (© Zip Infrastructure, Biogon Pictures)

A Zippar gondola negotiates a curve at a test track in Hadano, Kanagawa Prefecture. (© Zip Infrastructure, Biogon Pictures)

With no need for a driver’s cab, the interiors of gondolas are open and spacious. (© Hashino Yukinori)

Zip Infrastructure COO Rebonquin poses with a prototype gondola. (© Hashino Yukinori)

A visual representation of the rockoon launching system. (© AstroX, Inc.)

Astro X CEO Oda Shōbu (left) and CTO Wada Yutaka, who is also a professor at Chiba Institute of Technology. (© AstroX, Inc.)

A model of a full-scale hybrid rocket on display at MIC. (© Hashino Yukinori)

AstroX’s attitude control assembly. (© Hashino Yukinori)

AstroX successfully conducted a test launch of a hybrid rocket on November 9, 2024. (© AstroX, Inc.)

The R&D building’s stunning façade was produced with a 3D concrete printer. RDM stands for “Research,” “Development,” and “Manufacturing.” (© Hashino Yukinori)

Roadside drains and other concrete infrastructure products at Aizawa’s manufacturing plant. (© Hashino Yukinori)

A catch basin made with Basilisk looks no different to one made with standard concrete. (© Hashino Yukinori)

Standard concrete with a crack (top right), and concrete repaired with Basilisk (top left). Below are the raw materials used for Basilisk. (© Hashino Yukinori)