Aiming to contribute to the realization of Society 5.0, the conceptual vision of future society, it is important to meet the demand for ways to digitize analog data while reducing the burden on human personnel. LiLz Gauge is designed to create new value by simultaneously drawing on IoT and machine-learning technologies: namely, IoT cameras designed to work on battery power for up to 3 years and a Cloud-based service that uses machine learning to analyze meter readings. In future, the addition of new algorithms will enable more efficient inspections as well as predictive detection.

LiLz Gauge was assessed as being a valid approach for realizing greater efficiencies in instrument inspection, a solution that combines IoT devices and the Cloud. While offering value in the form of remote inspections, it also provides a means of automatically collecting data. As an open innovation project, it was developed jointly with Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd. (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Division), and has already been deployed for testing at 11 companies. After repeated tests and surveys conducted at real facility maintenance sites, it will be announced as a commercial product in early December. It was highly evaluated for offering a practical solution to market needs through the use of machine learning and IoT.

SoundUD is a standard for acoustic communication, developed in Japan and adopted by over 290 companies. By simultaneously realizing universal design and open innovation, this standard generates sustainable activities through an ecosystem combining business interests and social contribution. In addition to facilitating multilingual services such as announcements and live broadcasts for transportation services, commercial facilities, stadiums, and TV stations, SoundUD is used to improve information accessibility as well as for advertising/content distribution and sales promotion services.

SoundUD realizes open innovation and universal design through standardization of related patents. It impressed the judges for realizing sustainable activities through an ecosystem combining business interests and social contribution, based on the principles of universal design and open innovation. By standardizing acoustic communication, it provides mechanisms/tools that are easy for enterprises to adopt, and this in turn leads to the realization of open innovation in a wide range of fields as well as contributing to society through universal design. SoundUD was highly evaluated for this. There are also high expectations for further development from an international perspective, in addition to providing multilingual support for foreign tourists in Japan.