Toyota Konpon Research Institute Debuts

The Genesis Research Institute since its beginning in 1996 has used disciplines such as natural science and the humanities to “further the development of energy and environmental technologies.” It was established on 11 June 1996 – the birthday of the late Kiichiro Toyoda – with joint funding from 12 Toyota Group companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation.

Today Toyota said that the Genesis Research Institute is renamed Toyota Konpon Research Institute. “Twenty-seven years on, society finds itself in an era of great transformation, with the rise of AI and advances in various other fields of science and technology.

“In the midst of these changes, we have been exploring ways for the institute to continue evolving while carrying on our founding vision. We have concluded that, particularly in such periods of change, our role as “an institute that researches, what to research” becomes increasingly important, allowing us to make a greater contribution to society by focusing on fundamental research.

“Collaborating with researchers from across academia, we will continue seeking and exploring areas of fundamental research that can lead to new multi-disciplinary scientific achievement. We will also strive to create opportunities for people within the Toyota Group, who will play a part in shaping the future of society, to engage with the latest developments and cultivate their interest in science,” Toyota said.

Currently located within the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, the institute was led by the late Eiji Toyoda and Shoichiro Toyoda as representative directors. Shoichiro remained at the helm for 27 years until Takeshi Uchiyamada (Toyota Motor Executive Fellow) inherited the role at the annual shareholders’ meeting and the board of directors meeting on 30 June 2023.