ABOUT
Rakuten Institute of Technology was launched in 2006
as the dedicated R&D organization for the Rakuten group.
“Front-Runner of the Global Business Evolution”
- A Word from the global head of Rakuten Institute of Technology, Masaya Mori
"We launched Rakuten Institute of Technology in 2006 as the dedicated R&D organization for the Rakuten group. Since then, anticipating that the constant scaling up of internet services will result in a shift from simple linear growth to a radically different paradigm, we have proposed a vision of the “Third Reality” to aim at novel research & development for the business. In a sense, our interest in the subject is not merely academic. It is the creative mind-set that drives us to open up an entirely new frontier.”
Rakuten Institute of Technology is now located in Tokyo, New York, Paris, Singapore, and Boston, engaging in cross-location projects and supporting the globalization of the Rakuten group. External to the Rakuten network, the Institute is partnered with Hidehiko Masuhara (Tokyo Institute of Technology), who serves as an advisor, and Yukihiro Matsumoto (Chief designer of the Ruby programing language), who serves as a fellow.
TOKYO
Rakuten Institute of Technology Tokyo, located at HQ of Rakuten, was established in 2006. Rakuten Institute of Technology Tokyo covers various research areas including IoT, Drone, Network Optimization, HPC, Distributed Computing, Data Mining, Fraud Detection, NLP, Computer Vision, HCI and AR/VR. In particular, we focus on applying advanced machine learning and state-of-the-art deep learning to many fields.
Literally and figuratively, the Tokyo office works closely with the many business lines of Rakuten enabling frequent interaction and collaboration. Tokyo boasts a very diverse team of researchers from all over the world - the majority of whom are from countries outside Japan in Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East.
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NEW YORK
Rakuten Institute of Technology NY, located in Manhattan, was established in 2010. Rakuten Institute of Technology NY is focusing on NLP research that support Rakuten’s globalization. Rakuten Institute of Technology NY is also communicating with Rakuten’s American subsidiaries.
The NY office is located in the heart of Manhattan, one of the busiest cities in the world. Nevertheless, as a small team, researchers enjoy an at-home atmosphere.
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PARIS
Rakuten Institute of Technology Paris, established in 2014, is focusing on research on UI/UX. Rakuten Institute of Technology Paris is also responsible for communicating with Rakuten’s European subsidiaries.
Paris researchers thrive in a truly innovative environment where they are free to explore new and futuristic ideas.
Paris collaborates closely with both Rakuten PriceMinister, located in the same office, and also with other researchers in Tokyo.
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SINGAPORE
Rakuten Institute of Technology Singapore, established in 2015, is focusing on research on psychology, behavioral science and mobile social. Research will be carried out into internet services that increase user satisfaction based on these insights.
In Singapore, where we see many new ventures and start-up businesses, the office has a close relationship with Rakuten Viki - the TV drama and movie site.
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BOSTON
Rakuten Institute of Technology Boston, established in 2015, is focusing on research on machine learning, deep learning and AI, specifically promoting research in the area of AI, which is currently developing at a remarkable pace, and collaborating with big data teams.
The Boston office is positioned in a major international academic hub of the US, where several world-renowned universities are located, allowing collaboration with institutions nearby.
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