Topics that shape the future
- Closer look at research results -

That's right. For example, we're also working on measurements in the architectural field. At first glance, humans and buildings may seem like vastly different subjects. However, although the terminology differs—for example, "health management" when dealing with humans and "quality evaluation" when dealing with buildings such as houses—the basic framework of measuring information, extracting necessary information, evaluating it, and providing it is the same.

Specifically, we are conducting research on improving commercially available differential pressure sensors to easily evaluate the airtightness of houses. In this way, a characteristic of this research is that even if the target is different, we can contribute to solving problems in various fields by applying sensing and analysis technologies.

We are sometimes asked if the wide range of applications is challenging, but in reality, we don't find it particularly burdensome. This is because we are not building methodologies from scratch for each field; rather, we are deploying the foundational schemes we have already established to each area. The core concepts and technologies are common, and we then make adjustments according to the specific target.

For example, even when tackling a new application area, verification can be completed in just a few weeks if it's at the stage of confirming the validity of the principle as a basic experiment. Of course, the subsequent processes of improving accuracy and ensuring quality with a view to collaborating with companies will take some time, but the foundational parts can be deployed in a relatively short period of time.

Through repeated dialogues with people working in various fields such as healthcare, nursing care, and construction, we often find that many challenges and ideas are presented by those working in the field. It's difficult to generate new ideas by consciously trying to "come up with new ideas," but by naturally sharing worries and challenges in everyday conversations, we can gain insights into "how we might be able to solve this."

One concrete example of research that emerged from dialogue is the "measurement of swallowing function." In elderly individuals, a decline in swallowing function increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, where food or saliva accidentally enters the airway, allowing bacteria to multiply. To reduce this risk, there was a need for a method that could easily and routinely check swallowing function.

Conventional methods use X-ray fluoroscopy, but this examination requires a set of steps and involves the risk of radiation exposure, making it impractical to perform such examinations repeatedly on a daily basis. Therefore, we have developed a system that applies microphone technology previously used for measurements under the bed and can be worn around the neck or ears, like a hearing aid or necklace, to measure larynx movement and vibrations during swallowing, allowing for a daily monitoring of swallowing function.

In this way, listening to the challenges on the ground and considering what kind of technical support is possible to address them leads to the creation of new research themes.

In reality, even if a system is introduced to a site, it is not always utilized. While it's easy to think that more features mean greater usefulness, the work environment is often extremely busy, and introducing a new system can itself be a burden. A feature highly valued at one facility might be rejected at another because "having two buttons makes it difficult to use." From these experiences, we've come to realize that, in order to achieve widespread adoption, it's essential to design a system that is as simple as possible and intuitive to operate.

Furthermore, how information is presented—that is, the design of the user interface (UI/UX) and user experience—is also extremely important. While quantitative graphs are emphasized in academic settings, in real-world situations, the ability to "understand the status at a glance" is required. For example, expressions that are not intuitively understandable, such as "if the flower is blooming, there is no problem; if it is wilting, caution is needed," are unlikely to be accepted.

From this perspective, when developing systems in collaboration with companies, we emphasize that "not only accuracy, but also ease of use and presentation are important for widespread adoption." Looking beyond simply compiling results into academic papers, and instead focusing on actual use and ensuring users perceive value, is a key motivator for our research.