The design for the lunar rover has finally been decided! "au × HAKUTO MOON CHALLENGE"

On August 29, KDDI held a design presentation for the flight model of its lunar exploration robot (rover) at EBIS303 in Shibuya, Tokyo. This robot is part of the "au×HAKUTO MOON CHALLENGE," Japan's sole entry in the world's first private lunar exploration race.

KDDI is backing "HAKUTO," Japan's sole team competing in the "Google Lunar XPRIZE" lunar exploration race involving 16 private teams from over 10 countries, with advanced communication technologies for ensuring lunar communications and data transmission.

HAKUTO achieved a compact, lightweight design weighing approximately 4 kilograms by repeatedly reducing weight down to the gram level. This was accomplished using lightweight yet highly rigid materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), also used in aircraft.

The unveiled rover flight model features long suspension to ensure all four wheels maintain contact with the lunar surface for stable travel. Small solar panels on the body sides are designed with a 70-degree tilt angle, based on precise calculations to maximize sunlight capture efficiency on the moon.

At the start of the presentation, HAKUTO CEO Takeshi Hakamada expressed gratitude to official partner KDDI and six corporate partners, stating, "Today's rover design unveiling marks a significant milestone. Together with our partners, we aim to forge ahead as Japan's representative." He conveyed his determination for this unknown challenge.

KDDI President Takashi Tanaka remarked, "With the rover flight model design finalized, excitement builds for next year's launch. KDDI, together with the partners gathered here today, will support HAKUTO."

Representatives from the corporate partners then took the stage to offer their enthusiastic support for the challenge. These included Teruhiro Ueno, Chairman and President of Intermestic (operator of the eyewear retailer "Zoff"); Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines; Osamu Yoneya, Executive Officer and CTO of Recruit Technologies; Kinji Saito, Managing Executive Officer of Suzuki; and Hiroshi Iwakiri, President of Cemedine.

Subsequently, ambassadors Tomoe Shinohara and newly appointed ambassador Sayaka Kanda appeared on stage wearing star-shaped accessories inspired by space.

Kanda beamed, saying, "I absolutely love planetariums, and having recently seen the Perseid meteor shower deepened my awe, so I'm incredibly happy (to be appointed ambassador)."

Shinohara commented, "My feelings when looking up at the moon have changed. I get excited thinking, 'A rover is going to that moon.'"

Kanda, tasked with operating the developmental rover, used a tablet to control it based on footage transmitted from its onboard camera. She successfully navigated 90-degree turns and cleared obstacle areas, safely reaching the goal where Shinohara awaited.

Then, as the new TV commercial played on the stage monitor, Ichiro Yamaguchi of Sakanaction appeared alongside HAKUTO President Hakamada.

Yamaguchi, who also produced the support song, shared a behind-the-scenes story about deepening his friendship with President Hakamada over drinks during filming. Furthermore, when the impromptu collaboration unit "Space Sisters," formed by Shinohara and Kanda, pleaded, "Please provide us with a song," he readily agreed, saying, "Certainly."

The new TV commercial, " We're All Space Brothers, " will air starting August 31.