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Mario Tokoro: “I would be glad to welcome Inria researchers in Tokyo”
On the 31st of March, the founder, president and CEO of Sony Computer Science Laboratory, Inc. spent one day in the Inria Rocquencourt research centre. He explains why he wanted to visit us, and how he considers collaborating with Inria.
What was the purpose of your visit to Inria teams?
Mario Tokoro: We did an information exchange. I talked during one hour, explaining the activities of Sony Computer Science Laboratory (CSL), which I created in 1988 in Japan for the sole purpose of conducting fundamental research relating to computer science. Our objective is to contribute to social and industrial development through original research that looks ahead to the 21st century and has the potential to achieve breakthroughs in computer technology. In the first decade, we have been focusing on research in distributed operating systems, computer networks, programming languages, human-computer interaction, and other fundamental aspects of cutting edge research. For example, we started working on robots and it became a big project of Sony corporation, leading to the release of Aibo robot. We are now expanding our areas of research further into Open Systems Sciences, for example, complex systems, brain sciences, systems biology, and open energy systems. We started working on biology ten years ago, and now Sony is interested in medical business. I hope Sony will be interested in some other areas for their new business in the future. In 1996, I created a small research cell in Paris, because I know Paris can attract good researchers from maybe London, New-York... And everybody here is artistic! The European lab counts four researchers who work on science and art: personal music experience, evolutionary linguistic… This is because we are present in Paris that I wanted to meet Inria researchers. I was interested by all of their excellent presentations on intelligent transport systems, graphics and biological imaging, simulations, various kinds of user interfaces...
Why did you insist on visiting Rocquencourt Research Centre?
Mario Tokoro: I think Rocquencourt is one of the most emblematic research centre of Inria! I had visited there 30 years ago, as a researcher. I had met Gérard Le Lann, who was working on distributed systems. Now he is helping IMARA project and I saw him on the 31rd of March, after 30 years! I also knew Gilles Khan, who worked on computer science and control in Rocquencourt, before coordinating scientific research in Sophia Antipolis. I wanted to refresh my knowledge of Inria works. The reason why I particularly visited Inria Rocquencourt at this time is to run the possibility of closer communication or closer collaboration between Sony computer science laboratory in Tokyo and in Paris and Inria, starting with Rocquencourt because I know this research centre.
In which ways could you collaborate with Inria?
Mario Tokoro: I don’t know yet, but I have a very good communication with Isabelle Ryl, head of the Rocquencourt research centre. I believe she showed me positive response for investigating how we could collaborate, and in which area. Maybe we will start sending people to each other, to know each other more. I believe research is based on individuals, so this will be the foundation of the collaboration. I come to Paris twice a year, so I hope that I will meet other people from Inria. I would also be glad to welcome Inria researchers in Tokyo.
What are the differences between Sony Computer Science Laboratory and Inria?
Mario Tokoro: Inria has everything! Many research topics, explored by many researchers who work in a team. At Sony Computer Science Laboratory , we are 30 people. Each researcher has his/her own research agenda, but we have a limited amount of budget for research.
Keywords: Mario Tokoro Sony CSL
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