KAIST and Yamaha Joint Workshop Unveils Innovative Research In Hamamatsu

Report by: Minjae Kim

On August 23, a joint workshop between KAIST and Yamaha Corporation was held at Yamaha’s headquarters in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. The event was organized by Yamaha R&D and saw the participation of three GSCT labs from KAIST: AIRIS, MAC, and MUBL.

The Innovation Road: A Journey Through Yamaha’s Legacy

Before diving into the academic and technical exchanges, Yamaha extended an immersive experience to all attendees through a tour named ‘Innovation Road‘. This corporate museum not only traced Yamaha’s storied history but also showcased the technological advances they have made over the years. For many, the tour served as an inspiring introduction to Yamaha’s commitment to innovations.

The Core of the Workshop: Diverse Presentations

In the main segment of the workshop, representatives from both KAIST and Yamaha delivered three riveting presentations each. Topics spanned a wide spectrum, ranging from spatial audio and Music AI to the more psychological concept of Kansei (emotion in Japanese). These presentations served as the launchpad for further intellectual exchanges during the workshop.

Free-Topic Discussion: Collaborative Brainstorming

Following the formal presentations, a free-topic discussion session was held. This time allowed attendees from both institutions to share additional comments on the topics presented, clarify questions, and even critique aspects of ongoing researches. More importantly, it opened up a dialogue aimed at finding solutions to the challenges each team faces in their respective fields.

Behind-the-scenes Lab Tour

One of the highlights of the workshop was Yamaha’s introduction of its specialized research facilities. Participants from KAIST were taken on a tour where they got a glimpse of Yamaha’s state-of-the-art research labs designed for acoustics and other fields. For many, including myself, every moment in these purposefully designed rooms was awe-inspiring and served as motivation to strive for similar excellence in our own research endeavors.

Conclusion: A Mutually Enriching Experience

This joint workshop served as a window into the research cultures of both institutional and corporate settings. While the academic focus from KAIST met with Yamaha’s real-world applied research, the confluence of theses two approaches led to new perspectives and potential paths for future collaboration.

The day’s events left a lasting impression, providing insights and eagerness that will surely benefit ongoing and future research at both KAIST and Yamaha Corporation.

(Photo credit: Minjae Kim, Dr. Kim)