NTT R&D forum is a great opportunity for NTT Group’s R&D units to showcase their wide range of innovative technologies. In his talk for the 2018 Autumn R&D Forum, Mr. Katsuhiko Kawazoe (Senior VP, Head of R&D Planning at NTT) emphasized that NTT has shifted its business strategy to a B2B2X model, thus placing a greater importance on R&D for value creation with partners than on R&D for NTT itself.
In the following I would like to provide a quick summary of some of the key examples and concepts that got my attention.
One example of NTT's co-innovation with partners was the collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for developing of a new technology for laser beam machining for cutting and welding by applying NTT’s optical fiber technology. The result that was produced had a strong impact and transformed the manufacturing industry.
By following this example and based on the innovative technologies that originated in its R&D, NTT plans to push digital transformation and to solve industrial and social problems through co-innovation with a range of partners.
The direction in which these technologies will be developed will lead to a world in which technology will become more natural, thus appealing to people’s feelings, providing an environment that is friendly to both people and the earth and in which people can engage in human-centered activities.
Examples of such technologies include: Kirari! - a video projection technology that allows people at any location to enjoy the sensation of being at an event venue that usually only those at an event venue can enjoy; and Totto - a robot with a personality, that is easier to speak with in a more natural manner.
Image recognition technologies will become also more natural. NTT has developed an AI technology that allows the recognition of deformed objects (Angle-Free Rigid and Non-Rigid Object Information Retrieval). Such technology is expected to expand the applications of image recognition areas extensively.
Regarding telecommunication devices, a new concept (CUzo) developed in partnership with Panasonic was presented that detects natural movements and makes a variety of applications work in a coordinated manner. Such a device will free the users from the hassle of current smartphone apps and settings.
The remaining part of the new concepts presentation included glimpses into a new AI mechanism called Cognitive Foundation as well as developing computers of the future that can optimize large-scale combinatorial models.
In order to boost the pace of development of innovative technologies, NTT is planning to take three main measures:
1. Global utilization of NTT's R&D results;
2. Globalization of research targets;
3. Establishing of research organizations outside of Japan.
More details about this strategy are introduced in the video attached. Please enjoy!
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