Services & Solutions Business
Nowadays, it has become essential for each company to address social issues from three perspectives: environment, society, and governance. At Macnica, we provide Services & Solutions that utilize AI and IoT, based on the knowledge we have accumulated through our semiconductor business and security/network business, as well as our global cutting-edge technology sourcing and technology planning capabilities. We are developing business aimed at realizing a sustainable future society.
AI as Technology
Macnica The AI technology of ARIH, Inc. is the core technology to solve our clients' business challenges and to bring about innovations. We have our own AI research organizations, "ARIH" and "BRAIL," and have established a one-stop support system for the entire process of AI development, from research to hypothesis testing, implementation, and operation, according to customer issues, to encourage DX for companies in various industries and sectors.
At ARIH (AI Research & Innovation Hub), elite engineers conduct research to apply AI to solve social problems. We aim to apply and implement AI to the real world in order to solve various social problems such as aging society, food problems, and local traffic problems.
At BRAIL (Brain AI Innovation Lab), we are conducting cutting-edge technological research to convert brain waves into data. By fusing neuroscience and AI research, we are developing technology for measuring brain waves, converting human tacit knowledge into data, and developing products that are useful to society.
The development of Services & Solutions business is based on six business themes that correspond to the three materialities that we will contribute through our business.
Business & Economy
In response to the materiality of "contributing to economic development by solving customer problems," we have long been working on "smart factories," which work to solve the problems of customers in the manufacturing industry, such as securing a labor force and handing down craftsmanship. In addition to corporate cyber security, we are developing "CPS security*" as a business theme that contributes to strengthening information security, which is becoming more important every day, such as factory security and embedded security in products and services.
* CPS (Cyber-Physical System): A system that analyzes and converts data collected in the real world into knowledge in cyber space, leading to revitalization of the real world and problem solving
Specific Efforts
SHIBAURA MACHINE CO., LTD., which produces a wide variety of industrial machines as a machine tool manufacturer, is promoting product development that incorporates AI technology.
Under such circumstances, there were many concerns when selecting a development partner.
Is it possible to provide long-term escort support to accumulate knowledge in-house? Will AI engineers also understand the topic of machine tools? Is it possible to provide deep support without becoming individualized? After considering a number of concerns, we were able to not only develop an AI model, but also create a learning plan for in-house production and provide feedback during practical work, allowing us to have a deep understanding of AI while being familiar with the industrial machinery industry. Macnica was selected as the development partner.
In addition to development support, Macnica also provided unique support for collaboration infrastructure, such as flexible communication tools and a cloud-based file sharing system, allowing us to create a flexible development environment.
Development progressed with support from Macnica 's data scientists, including discussions and feedback, with an emphasis on communication. After sensing the vibration data, the data is collected on the edge computing terminal "SENSPIDER" provided by Macnica, and analyzed using an AI model to successfully create a system that determines the machining status. This system learns the experience and sense of experts in machining, contributing to improved production efficiency and uniform quality.
We will continue to utilize image data and explore further added value while absorbing AI technology through our partnership with Macnica.
Macnica's Voice
A smart factory seamlessly connects manufacturing and management, allowing digital and people to coexist and creating a lean, eco-friendly manufacturing environment.
The challenges of Digital Manufacturing are not just about tools and technology. We work with our customers to understand their aspirations, act as a buffer on the manufacturing floor, and work together with them to realize the "manufacturing" they want to achieve. This passion is what drives Macnica.
Life & Society
In response to the materiality of "creating a safe, secure and comfortable life", "Smart City/Mobility" supports the revitalization of local communities by providing total smart mobility including autonomous driving vehicles. We are developing "healthcare" as a business theme that contributes to the development of personalized medicine and preventive medicine optimized for individuals.
Specific Efforts
November 2020. Sakai Town in Ibaraki Prefecture became the first local government to begin operating a Japan-made autonomous driving shuttle bus on a scheduled route.
Sakai Town faces structural challenges such as a decline in vitality due to population decline and aging, and a fragile transportation network, and is promoting the development of a public transportation network that utilizes the Ken-O Expressway, as well as the development of bases for sports, tourism, welfare, and housing facilities. As the exclusive domestic distributor of French company Navya products, Macnica has provided three autonomous driving buses, "NAVYA ARMA," to support improved mobility within the town and regional revitalization.
"NAVYA ARMA" is a Green Slow Mobility initiative promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Not only will it reduce the burden on the environment, but its slow, frequent operation will serve as a convenient means of transportation for local residents, and it is expected that the slower traffic flow will have the effect of improving safety throughout the region.
Based on its knowledge of autonomous driving technology, Macnica is a service solutions provider that contributes to the realization of safe and secure local communities through services such as vehicle and system maintenance.
Macnica's Voice
Towards a future where people, goods and events can move freely and everyone can continue to live in peace.
Macnica is using cutting-edge technology to address social issues such as the isolation of residents in depopulated areas who lack transportation and the shortage of drivers in logistics sites.
Macnica's Voice
Solutions that utilize technology to measure heart rate and stress, monitoring systems that can detect when a facility has left bed, injury prediction for athletes, and services that enable treatments that were previously impossible... Macnica 's healthcare business uses cutting-edge technology to solve issues in the fields of medicine, nursing care, and health, with the aim of realizing a healthy society that is tailored to each individual.
Green & Earth
In response to the materiality of "creating a sustainable global environment," we are striving to achieve a "circular economy" that contributes to the realization of a carbon-neutral and recycling-oriented society that utilizes renewable resources, and a stable supply of food by strengthening the production base. We are developing our business theme of “Food Agritech”.
Specific Efforts
The next-generation smart office solution is a system that analyzes the data acquired by various sensors installed in the office and realizes a comfortable work environment. By monitoring the usage status of desks and equipment, and setting efficient equipment layouts and power usage schedules, we can improve office operations, reduce electricity costs for the entire facility, and create a comfortable work environment.
In addition to CO2, atmospheric pressure, and temperature/humidity sensors that acquire air quality information, it is equipped with a 60GHz radar motion sensor. Even people moving inside can be detected. In addition to the installed sensors, it is also possible to capture various data related to the office, such as electricity, gas, and water energy information. It is a solution that supports the improvement of environmentally friendly office operations, such as controlling air conditioning and ventilation, cutting peak energy consumption, and planning effective power usage schedules.
One of the features is that we can respond flexibly according to the scale and budget, from small offices such as one floor to one building or multiple locations. In the future, we aim to realize an office that is even more environmentally friendly and comfortable to work in by introducing new sensors such as illuminance sensors and tVOC sensors and linking with access control systems.
