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To Third-Year Undergraduates Interested in Joining the Laboratory

At Aoki Media Sensing Laboratory, we pursue research in computer vision, pattern recognition, and artificial intelligence systems, based on image sensing technologies for robustly extracting, measuring, and recognizing meaningful information from images and video. In recent years, we have greatly expanded our research fields to include edge AI using new vision sensors such as event cameras; physical AI for understanding and generating the movements of robots and people; multimodal AI that integrates diverse information, including language and sound, with images and video; and space × AI, which combines satellite remote sensing and AI. In all of these areas, guided by the spirit of practical learning, we aim to create new concepts, technologies, and value while maintaining a strong awareness of their connections to society.

With the emergence of generative AI and foundation models, this field is now evolving at an unprecedented pace. Precisely because we live in an era when anyone can use advanced AI, research that breaks new ground beyond what exists today is needed. Sensing, understanding, and acting on the real world—as AI moves beyond computers and into the physical world, we believe the role of our laboratory’s technologies will continue to grow. Through research, we hope you will come to know yourself and discover something you can pursue with a sense of purpose by making the most of your strengths.

At Aoki Laboratory, students generally pursue one research topic each. This reflects the many challenges to tackle and, above all, our hope that each student will take responsibility and independently pursue a meaningful research topic. You may wonder whether you can manage on your own. But the laboratory is home to people with diverse personalities and talents. By taking the initiative to approach them and discuss your ideas, you can gain new perspectives and helpful insights. You will never do good research by shutting yourself away on your own.

This field is advancing at a truly remarkable pace. It is important to be perceptive enough to sense the direction of these changes, while also taking a proactive approach to steadily and vigorously mastering the core technical skills that will form the foundation of your work.

To pursue research at Aoki Laboratory, you will need:

  • A reasonable grounding in basic subjects such as mathematics and physics
  • An interest in computer vision and artificial intelligence systems
  • A willingness to program
  • A positive attitude and motivation to engage in research
  • A commitment to self-improvement while interacting with other members

These are the qualities we look for.

A distinctive feature of our research fields is the significant role played by young researchers, including graduate students.
Age is no barrier to developing outstanding, groundbreaking technologies. We encourage you to make the most of your flexible thinking and creativity.
Aoki Laboratory has the environment and people to support them. Many working professionals are also enrolled as doctoral students while pursuing their PhDs, and they challenge one another to publish at leading international conferences and in journals recognized worldwide. Even under these circumstances, we are always thinking about how to make laboratory activities better. We look forward to conducting new research together with you.

September 11, 2026 Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Professor Yoshimitsu Aoki

Selection Criteria (2027 Placement) Updated October 21, 2026

Aoki Media Sensing Laboratory selects students based on an overall assessment of the following five criteria. All laboratory members, including Professor Aoki, participate in interviews, and student evaluations are also taken into account. Professor Aoki makes the final decision. Please note thatApplicants who wish to pursue graduate studies are given priority.．

  1. Motivation and interest in research
    Why you chose this field and your ability to explain your reasons in your own words
  2. Foundational academic and technical skills
    Academic performance (GPA), experience writing your own code, and fundamentals of mathematics
  3. Curiosity and initiative
    Experience independently researching and thinking about topics of interest
  4. Teamwork and communication skills
    Ability to fulfill your role in a group and communicate your opinions
  5. Unique strengths and experience
    Activities you have pursued with dedication, work experience, and so on

Selection Process

  1. Individual meeting:You can speak one-on-one with Professor Aoki (approximately 15–30 minutes). If you are considering Aoki Laboratory as your first choice, please use the button below to go to the web form at the bottom of the page, select “Individual Consultation (Professor Aoki),” and submit your request.
  2. Application documents:Submit an entry sheet (ES) highlighting the points above. Submission is required for those selecting Aoki Laboratory as their first choice (deadline: after submitting your placement preference survey).
  3. Selection interview:The above criteria will be assessed through a question-and-answer session (approximately 20 minutes).
  4. Final decision:A comprehensive decision will be made based on the application form and interview results.
Request an individual consultation →

Selected Research Achievements

At Aoki Laboratory, each student takes the lead in their own research. Every year, we present our work at leading international conferences and in journals in computer vision, AI, and robotics—including CVPR, ICCV, and ECCV—and have received numerous awards.

2026 Achievements

  • Papers accepted:2 at CVPR, ECCV, CoRL, 2 at ICIP, Interspeech, and others
  • Awards:ICPR Best Scientific Paper Award, SSII Audience Award, Advanced Technology Award, etc.

Major Publication Venues

CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, IEEE TPAMI, CoRL, ICRA, IROS, WACV, BMVC, ICASSP, Interspeech, ICIP, ICPR, and others

Major Awards

IEEJ Best Journal Award, IWAIT Best Paper Award, MIRU Excellent Paper Award and Student Encouragement Award, SSII Demonstration Award, DIA Research Encouragement Award, Precision Engineering Society Research Encouragement Award and Odawara Award, IEEJ Technical Committee Encouragement Award, Numata Memorial Paper Award, etc.

Major Collaborators and Joint Research Partners

We collaborate with companies, universities, and research institutions in Japan and abroad to pursue research directly addressing real-world challenges.

  • Companies:Sony AI, NTT, LY Corporation, Rakuten Group, ZOZO NEXT, NEC, Panasonic, Toshiba, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Komatsu, Aero Toyota, Tenchijin, etc.
  • Universities and research institutions:Carnegie Mellon University (USA), Max Planck Institute (Germany), Technische Universität Berlin (Germany), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo University of Science, etc.

Major Employers

  • AI and IT:Preferred Networks, SB Intuitions, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon Web Services, CyberAgent, LINE Yahoo, DeNA, SoftBank, Rakuten Institute of Technology, Recruit, IBM Japan, Dwango, Cookpad, etc.
  • Manufacturers:Sony, Woven by Toyota, Toyota Motor Corporation, Denso IT Laboratory, HUAWEI, Hitachi, Canon, Panasonic, NEC, Fujitsu Laboratories, Mitsubishi Electric, Nissan Motor Corporation, Ricoh, Meidensha, etc.
  • Research institutions, infrastructure, and other:National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, NHK, NTT Data, Mitsubishi Research Institute, JR Central, JR East, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Chunichi Dragons, etc.

Aoki Laboratory Annual Schedule

Announcements

Open Lab for Students Interested in Joining the Laboratory in the 2027 Academic Yearwill be held. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the research conducted in the laboratory and its atmosphere, so anyone interested is encouraged to participate.

If you would like to participate, please contact us using the application form at the bottom of this page.

We also accept requests for interviews with Professor Aoki (in person or online). If you would like an interview, please contact us using the application form at the bottom of this page.

All information sessions this academic year will be held in person.

Everyone in the Aoki Laboratory looks forward to your participation.

Aoki Laboratory Open Lab Schedule (In Person)

  • Session 1: 10/7 (Wed) 14:45–16:15
  • Session 2: 10/15 (Thu) 16:30–18:00
  • Session 3: 10/23 (Fri) 14:45–16:15
  • Session 4: 10/28 (Wed) 14:45–16:15
  • Session 5: 11/5 (Thu) 16:30–18:00
  • Session 6: 11/10 (Tue) 16:30–18:00

Laboratory introductions are also available at any time outside the dates listed above. Visits to the laboratory in person (Image Colloquium, Paper Reading) can also be arranged upon request (by appointment only). If you would like to participate, please contact us using the application form below.

Aoki Laboratory Open Lab Application Form

Please feel free to join us.