Vol.3

Supporting independent living of
the elderly using Android devices

Noriaki Kuwahara
Associate Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology, engineering PhD in Cutting Edge fibro-science

Ryuji Kanda
Director of Kyoso Technology Co., Ltd.

About this project

Associate Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology, engineering PhD in Cutting Edge fibro-science

Noriaki Kuwahara

Kuwahara(Kyoto Institute of Technology):
Over the last two years, we received a grant from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to research and develop an ICT system to support seniors living at home. We had Kyoso Technology prototype the software for it. I was introduced to the company through Kyoto Shisaku Net via the Industry-University Cooperation branch at Kyoto Institute of Technology. As for the project itself, the prototype is pretty much complete and is intended to finish up within the year. Now I am discussing new offers with Kyoso Technology.

Why we selected member-company Kyoso Technology

Kuwahara:
In making systems, while I’ve interacted with many developers with lots of software knowledge, when you speak to them it is clear that they only accept very shrewd jobs. They only take on offers when the job is clearly decided, along with the processing, the estimate and the delivery time, and with test specs attached to the delivery. However, Kyoso Technology starts by inspecting the technical possibilities ― it’s extremely good. I would tell them “I want to do this but I don’t know if it’s actually possible, but let’s try doing it together.” And they would respond with “That’s fine,” which left a very deep impression.
Kanda(Kyoto Shisaku Net/Kyoso Technology Co., Ltd.):
We say our company is at the beginning of the development process, and since we are doing prototype work, it’s rare to see a spec sheet. Rather, in many instances we begin with comparatively few details. That makes the relationship of trust with the client important.

More than just a job, an opportunity for gaining knowledge

Kanda:
If we’re going to choose, we’re mainly working on built-in software for control systems. In this instance we were developing an android application, so for part of it we were fumbling a little. Moving forward, developing apps will be unavoidable, so for us it was a really good offer. We were grateful.
Kuwahara:
It’s a strange way to put it, but it’s a job full of learning. We learned a lot together doing it.
Kanda:
It doesn’t have to do with profit (*chuckle*), but actually until now we haven’t had a job with a university. While we have done joint orders, this was the first time we were able to work directly with a university. There was a research theme and a starting budget, and understanding this flow concretely was a really good experience.
Kuwahara:
Everyone was committed and they did a really good job for us. They contacted us rapidly by email. I would offer up an idea when it seemed like something wasn’t moving forward, and they would respond with “we’re already doing that!” There were many instances of me asking “If you try this method it might work, no?” and they’d respond with “we already tried that and it didn’t work.” It was really a learning experience.
Kanda:
In the office, everyone was interested in us working with a wifi-router, android terminal, and PC, and they’d come around to look. It’s a scene I haven’t seen here before because up until now we were working on development for control systems, and had printed boards and oscilloscopes set up.

Director of Kyoso Technology Co., Ltd.

Ryuji Kanda

Leave it to Kyoto Shisaku Net to Prototyping

A consortium of Japanese prototyping companies working to concretely realize the customer’s demands.
We can provide customization to accommodate for materials and intended use.

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