The Future of Life pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is set to reimagine human existence through robotics and AI. Led by renowned roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, this innovative exhibit is one of eight key structures anchoring the thematic core of the Expo. The pavilion’s design is rooted in the symbolism of water and shorelines, with its exterior animated by a shimmering water surface.
Visitors enter through a membrane-like facade and journey through three thematic areas, each presenting a different horizon for life on Earth and beyond. The first zone, “Journey of Life,” traces Japan’s historical tendency to imbue objects with spirit and agency, from ancient haniwa clay figures to contemporary robotics. This cultural continuity frames the emergence of lifelike technologies as a natural evolution in Japanese life.
In Zone 2, “The Future of 2075,” visitors encounter a near-future scenario where human and machine cohabitation is commonplace. Through immersive storytelling and projected environments, this section envisions everyday life 50 years ahead, presenting these projections as lived realities open to interpretation. The final gallery, “Mahoroba,” evokes a more distant future 1,000 years from now when humanity has evolved beyond its biological forms.
Reimagining human existence through technology
Rather than focusing on technological hardware, the installation creates an abstract sensory environment, suggesting that consciousness may be the foundation of future life. The “Changing Waters” augmented reality (AR) experience is interwoven throughout the pavilion.
Developed in tandem with a responsive lighting installation, it allows visitors to interact with a basin of water through digital overlays. Real-time sensors capture subtle changes in water quality and translate them into shifting light patterns across the pavilion’s surface. The Future of Life pavilion offers a speculative journey into a world shaped by technological co-evolution.
The pavilion’s three thematic areas clarify distinct horizons for life on Earth and beyond, using robotics and AI to reimagine human existence. This thought-provoking experience invites visitors to reflect on the evolving relationship between humanity and technology. The pavilion will be open from April 13th to October 13th, 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
It promises to be a profound and visionary exploration of our future, guided by the leadership of Hiroshi Ishiguro and the innovative use of robotics and AI.
