The verified answer
As of Aug 2026, DEPLOY verifies University of Tokyo JSK Lab: 2 models. 1 source back the record.
CategoryDrones
Overview
The University of Tokyo JSK Lab produces iconic musculoskeletal humanoid robots including Kengoro, Kenshiro, and Musashi. These tendon-driven platforms mimic human musculoskeletal architecture with artificial muscles, advancing research in compliant control, whole-body coordination, and bio-inspired humanoid design. The lab is led by Professor Masayuki Inaba.
Verified record
- Verified deployments
- None on file
- Active incidents
- None on file
Data & sources
Web sources
1
1 source backing this record.View all →
Models (2)
View all models →Current platform
DRAGON
Transformable multilink aerial robot (Dual-Rotor-Embedded Multilink Robot with the Ability of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Aerial Transformation) developed at the University of Tokyo JSK Lab. Unlike rigid-frame drones, DRAGON is made of four linked segments, each with two ducted rotors mounted on gimbals, enabling it to reshape mid-flight while maintaining full SE(3) pose control. The airframe itself acts as a flying manipulator, with a lifting capacity over 3 kg. A navigation stack computes efficient body shapes for the current task. Published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (2018), the work later spawned the independent DRAGON Lab under Moju Zhao in April 2024.
Current platform
Kengoro
University of Tokyo JSK Lab's musculoskeletal humanoid with tendon-driven architecture mimicking human muscles, featuring 114 actuators and sweat-like cooling.
University of Tokyo JSK Lab on the deployment map
View the global mapUniversity of Tokyo JSK Lab has no verified deployments on the DEPLOY registry yet. Explore the deployment map by place and type.
No verified deployments for University of Tokyo JSK Lab on the DEPLOY record yet. Track University of Tokyo JSK Lab to know the moment the first one is verified.
Current leadership (1)
- Moju Zhao Associate Professor, DRAGON Labsecondary-verified
Safety record
No incidents on record for University of Tokyo JSK Lab.
Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
Full safety record: incidents, sourcing, and exposure data →
Recent coverage
University of Tokyo JSK Lab in third-party press
Peer companies
- Unitree Robotics9 models
- AgiBot5 models
- Boston Dynamics5 models
- UBTech Robotics5 models
- 1X Technologies4 models
- Fourier Intelligence4 models
Recent activity
Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.
- Record createdAug 9, 2026
Added to the verified registry
Sources (1)
Common questions
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Methodology: Verified · 1 source (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-08-09
Verification posture
Verified
Low confidence
Review state
Stable
Last reviewed 2026-08-09
Sources by quality tier
- 1
- unclassified
- Unclassified source
The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.
Methodology surface for University of Tokyo JSK Lab.Peer companies
- Unitree Robotics9 models
- AgiBot5 models
- Boston Dynamics5 models
- UBTech Robotics5 models
- 1X Technologies4 models
- Fourier Intelligence4 models
In the press
Recent coverage mentioning University of Tokyo JSK Lab from third-party publications. Automatically surfaced; not part of the verified registry record.
Aerial Dragon Robot Reconfigures Itself Into a Flying Manipulator
IEEE Spectrum covers DRAGON, the University of Tokyo JSK Lab's transformable multilink aerial robot that reconfigures mid-flight into a flying manipulator.
Tokyo Researchers' Dragon Drone Can Shape-shift on the Fly
Dronelife covers DRAGON, the University of Tokyo's shape-shifting drone powered by ducted fans that can adapt mid-flight from a square to a snake shape.
Flying Dragon Robot Transforms Itself to Squeeze Through Gaps
IEEE Spectrum's earlier coverage of DRAGON, focusing on its ability to autonomously decide how to transform to pass through constrained spaces.
Machine-readable surfaces
- Markdown mirror: /companies/utokyo-jsk.md
- RSS feed: /companies/utokyo-jsk/feed.xml
- JSON-LD: embedded in this page’s head
- REST API: /v1/companies/ec40914d-cc63-4882-99ad-b9351d560dab
- Revision history: /companies/utokyo-jsk/history
- Data documentation: /data
- Query this programmatically: Deploy MCP
Peer companies
- Unitree Robotics9 models
- AgiBot5 models
- Boston Dynamics5 models
- UBTech Robotics5 models
- 1X Technologies4 models
- Fourier Intelligence4 models
Video
A team of researchers led by Moju Zhao from JSK Laboratory at the University of Tokyo demonstrates its articulated transforming “Dragon” drone. The researchers talk about how it came to be and what they hope for it in th
For more information, please see http://www.willowgarage.com/blog/2009/04/06/jsk-visit-willow-garage-yields-new-demonstrations Professor Masayuki Inaba, Asso
(28 Feb 2007) 1. Wide of robot picking up cup 2. Close-up of robot pouring tea from bottle into cup 3. Close-up of robots 'face' 4. Pull out from close-up
Professor Masayuki Inaba, Associate Professor Kei Okada and 4 grad students from JSK Lab, Tokyo University visited Willow Garage from March 15 to March 21, 2009
http://www.hibot.co.jp Paulo explains some of the robots at Hibot.
Team Practices before the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2017
Team interviews before the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2017
Meet DRAGON, the revolutionary aerial robot developed by researchers at The University of Tokyo. 🚀 This isn’t your ordinary drone — DRAGON is built with four p
Demos made by researchers from the JSK lab at Tokyo university with the Willow Garage PR2.
Reality vs attention
University of Tokyo JSK Lab draws attention at the 35th percentile but verifies reality at the insufficient-data level among aerial robots.
6-month trend
Analysis
Limited public visibility and press coverage relative to peers.
Dimension breakdown
Verified signal
Attention (reach, not merit)
DEPLOY Intelligence scores are computed from verified registry data: confirmed deployments, disclosed funding rounds, regulatory filings, active job listings, video viewership, and press coverage. Confidence ratings reflect data availability. Scores update nightly.
DEPLOY Indices — verified vs claimed
Last computed: Aug 14, 2026