At university, I majored in Management Systems Engineering, and I learned how to improve productivity based on analyzing the flow of "materials" in factories and the operations of the " Human " working there. In order to utilize what I had learned, I had wanted to work toward improving productivity in the manufacturing industry with its lines. At the same time, since there have been elderly and people with disabilities among my relatives and friends since childhood, I had also wanted to demonstrate my abilities with nursing and welfare equipment manufacturers. During my job hunting, however, there was an event that changed my life forever. From the chance explanation of a Takenaka recruiter, I discovered that not only could I apply what I had learned to planning manufacturing and logistics facilities, but this would also include buildings for other uses. Knowing that I could also be involved in creating spaces where everyone could pass their time comfortably, I decided to step foot into an industry where I had never imagined I would be.
After entering Takenaka, I was mainly involved in planning logistics facilities and factories. Based on analysis of production flows and operation, I was involved in projects start to finish from equipment selection and layout to maintenance. Thanks to that, it is now possible to think about things from the perspective of all parties involved with a building, including users. After 17 years had passed since entering the company, I was thinking about my future career plans. I wanted to gain experience in different fields and broaden my horizons. I was fortunate that the timing of my job rotation coincided with innovative human resources development activities that had started within the company, and with the help of my boss, I was seconded to a start-up company. This opportunity expanded my horizons beyond the boundaries of architecture.
At the new company, I was in charge of matching small and medium-sized companies with major companies. I examined and visited a variety of such enterprises, and then thinking about how to utilize excellent technologies, I would find large companies needing those technologies. I tried to solve problems on both sides by matching seeds and needs. At the beginning, it was not uncommon for me to be turned away at the door, which made me feel unsure of myself at times, but drawing inspiration from the views and motivation of my team members, my thoughts and actions gradually changed. Up until then, I had a rational thinking style for how to solve a given problem on my own. At the same time, team members discovered societal problems on their own, and they were all people who involved those around them to help solve problems. I also spent a lot of time interacting with related parties and establishing problems, and I began to search for things that could help solve problems without fear of failure. What I learned here was the importance that "the center of information = starting point." Acting without fear of failure, if information is generated, a lot will naturally accumulate, and this will lead to innovative ideas.
Meeting at "COT-Lab Shinbashi," an open innovation base where diverse ideas are born.
After having been seconded for a year, I returned to Takenaka in 2018, and I set up a project team with the goal of building a system "robot platform" that would streamline the operation and control of robots. There were three reasons. The first was that production equipment and robots had something in common in terms of system construction. The second was to make good use of my experience of having been seconded to a new pioneering field. Then, the third was to lead to my dream of "enriching the lives of elderly people and people with disabilities." Spaces where robots can move freely are also spaces where wheelchair users can move about without feeling inconvenience.
AVerification test with Takenaka team members and vendors
Utilization of robots in the construction industry is also progressing as a means to solve labor shortages, but it is difficult to make robots understand where you are and travel to your location. In general, in order for a robot to run autonomously, it is necessary to have the robot run by manual operation with advance preparations required, and then to operate by having the robot memorize a map of the traveling range. Based on a preprogrammed map, the robot will be able to understand its current location and travel autonomously. We have developed a "robot platform" that can use BIM data, which is a 3D digital model of a building, to create a map for driving without such preparation. In addition, the platform supports the opening and closing of doors and getting on and off of elevators by attaching devices to existing elevators without installing new elevators. For example, if a robot on the first floor gives an instruction to move to the fifth floor, a device attached outside the elevator on the first floor receives the command and opens the door. At the same time, a device installed outside the elevator on the fifth floor can operate up and down buttons for getting off at the destination floor. Control during fire or an earthquake is also an issue. We have developed a mechanism whereby the robot will stop or move itself to a designated location while assessing its surroundings so that it does not interfere with any evacuation. During development, there were also difficulties, such as conducting experiments during times that would not interfere with the work site, but repeated discussions with team members and the process of repeated trial and error is the very essence of a startup.
Developing a device coordinated with the robot without modifying the elevator
One of my main roles is to deploy technologies and services that we have developed to our projects. At first, it is like starting an activity with only my own imagination, but by becoming a "starting point of information," various information, such as customer needs and internal ideas are received, and every day I feel the possibility for development that I had previously been unable to imagine. In the future, I would like to contribute not only to management at work sites, but also to "providing new value," such as offices with robots that perform tasks like food delivery, cleaning and disinfection.
As societal concern for SDGs increases, "inclusive designs," which involve elderly people, people with disabilities, foreigners, etc. from the upstream design process, are attracting attention.
Our company practices in terms of hardware, which includes architectural design, but I also think that we can make further contributions in terms of software, such as service robots. For example, through the operation of robots remotely without restrictions of "time" and "place," we can provide opportunities to participate in society for people who want to work but cannot for a variety of reasons.
The progress of robot technology is remarkable, and I think that things that had been unimaginable will become a reality in the future. I would like to continue to think innovatively and turn various inspiration into reality without being limited by the boundaries of the construction industry. Then, I would like to help a lot of people in society, even including efforts for people who are experiencing specific problems, and I sincerely hope that this will lead to the realization of "a society where no one is left behind."
From time to time, we continue to operate robots inside and outside the company to create opportunities for gathering information together with raising awareness.