Takeshi Ando | Physical AI & Robotics

From Research to Real-World Impact

Takeshi Ando, PhD

Managing Director, Panasonic R&D Center Singapore

Singapore | Robotics | Physical AI | Innovation

About Me

I am a robotics researcher and technology leader with experience spanning academic research, industrial R&D, business development, and real-world deployment.

Currently, I serve as Managing Director of Panasonic R&D Center Singapore, where I lead research and innovation activities aimed at turning emerging technologies into practical solutions and sustainable businesses.

My background includes research in assistive and biomedical robotics at Waseda University and Osaka University, followed by robotics technology development, commercialization, and organizational leadership at Panasonic.

My current interests focus on Physical AI (Embodied AI) and the challenges of moving intelligent robotic systems beyond laboratory demonstrations into reliable, scalable, and socially valuable applications.

I believe the true value of robotics lies not only in what robots can do, but in how they enhance human capabilities, improve productivity, and contribute to people's well-being.

Explore My Perspectives on Physical AI & Robotics

Insights on Physical AI, real-world robot deployment, commercialization, and human-robot interaction.

Read My Insights on Robotics for Well-being

Areas of Focus

Physical AI & Embodied Intelligence

Robot foundation models, data-driven learning, real-world intelligence, and the integration of AI with physical systems.

Real-World Deployment & Scalability

Bridging the gap between research prototypes and practical deployment, including system integration, operational reliability, safety, and business sustainability.

Human-Robot Interaction & Social Acceptance

Understanding how people interact with robots and how robotic technologies can become trusted and valuable parts of society.

Robotics Innovation & Commercialization

Connecting research, industry, and public-sector ecosystems to accelerate technology development and create new business opportunities, particularly across Japan and Singapore.

Selected Experience

2025–Present: Managing Director, Panasonic R&D Center Singapore
2011–2025: Robotics R&D, technology development, and commercialization at Panasonic, including leadership of the company's robotics initiatives.
Academic Research: Research and academic appointments at Waseda University and Osaka University
Academic Engagement: Board Member, Robotics Society of Japan; Visiting Professor, Osaka Institute of Technology; activities in robotics research and professional societies

My work has covered healthcare and assistive robotics, autonomous mobile robots, human-robot interaction, and industrial and service robotics.

Selected Research & Perspectives

Deployment Intelligence for Physical AI (2026)

A perspective proposing how to evaluate Physical AI systems beyond task performance, with a focus on real-world reliability, safety, and deployment readiness.

Deployment intelligence for physical AI | Engineering Archive

A Roadmap for Physical AI Foundation Models in Robotics (2026)

A research perspective exploring the architecture and development priorities needed to bring robot foundation models into practical deployment.

A Roadmap for Physical AI Foundation Models in Robotics | Engineering Archive

Both works are available as preprints.

For additional research publications, please visit my Google Scholar and ResearchGate profiles.

Speaking, Collaboration & Contact

I welcome opportunities for invited talks, research discussions, interviews, and professional exchanges related to Physical AI, robotics, real-world deployment, and technology innovation.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/takeshi-ando-20873b86/

Contact: takecando (at) gmail.com

The views and opinions expressed on my personal websites are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Google Sites

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