JTW Digest, March 26, 2024

Author

Eldar Syzdykov
March 26, 2024

Nissan Unveils "The Arc" Business Plan Aiming for Enhanced Profitability Through Technological Advancements and Electrification

Nissan has announced its new business plan, "The Arc," focusing on improving the company's value and competitiveness through strategic initiatives, new technologies, and an accelerated transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

 The Arc as a Bridge: The plan serves as a bridge between the ongoing "Nissan NEXT" business transformation and the "Nissan Ambition 2030" long-term vision, outlining medium and long-term initiatives.

Sales and Profit Goals: Nissan aims to increase its annual sales by 1 million units and achieve an operating profit margin of over 6% by the end of fiscal 2026.

EV and ICE Balance: The company plans to launch 30 new models in the next three years, half of which will be EVs, aiming for a balanced product portfolio.

Regional Strategies: Tailored strategies for key markets, including significant investments and new model introductions in the Americas, China, Japan, and other regions.

Technological Innovations: Nissan is focusing on cost reduction and efficiency in EV production, introducing next-generation autonomous driving technologies, and evolving battery technologies to enhance competitiveness and customer experience.

Strategic Partnerships: Leveraging alliances and partnerships globally, especially with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors, to bolster its global product portfolio and technological capabilities.

Nissan's "The Arc" plan represents a comprehensive strategy to enhance its market position and financial performance while transitioning towards a more electrified and technologically advanced automotive future.

Nissan Unveils the Second-Generation Kicks with Larger Engine and Advanced Technology

Nissan introduces the second-generation Kicks, featuring a larger engine and new technological advancements.

The new Kicks, set to hit the U.S. market later this year, aims to compete in the subcompact SUV sector.

Upgraded from a 1.6-liter engine to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the new Kicks offers 139 horsepower.

It incorporates Nissan's "Xtronic" transmission and offers all-wheel drive, along with improved dimensions and ground clearance.

The vehicle's interior is more spacious, featuring a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, a Bose audio system, and a panoramic roof, despite being in the entry segment.

Pricing details are pending, with an estimated starting price of around $24,000.

Fujifilm Develops "AQUAFUZE" Technology for Wide-Format Inkjet Printers

Fujifilm has developed "AQUAFUZE" technology for wide-format inkjet printers, integrating water-based ink and UV curing ink technologies.

This innovation stabilizes photo-curable resins in water-based pigment ink, contributing to ink durability and adaptability to various printing substrates.

AQUAFUZE enables the production of UV-curable water-based inks, enhancing safety, adhesion, and reducing ink odor.

The technology is set to expand printing capabilities for indoor signs and wallpapers, with the new ink available by fall 2024.

Kajima Introduces CO2-Absorbing "CUCO-SUICOM Dome" Technology at Expo 2025

Kajima Corporation has introduced a groundbreaking technology with their CO2-absorbing CUCO-SUICOM dome, unveiled as a part of their preparations for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka/Kansai. This innovative dome is constructed using a unique form of carbon-free concrete, called CUCO-SUICOM Shot, alongside low-carbon ECM Concrete. The technology significantly reduces CO2 emissions by about 70% compared to traditional methods.

The construction process involves a novel method where a dome-shaped PVC membrane serves as formwork. Inside this structure, two types of concrete are sprayed to form the building's frame. A key feature is the dome's ability to absorb CO2 during the curing process of the CUCO-SUICOM shot concrete, which takes place in a specially created high-concentration CO2 environment within the structure. This method not only ensures strength and durability but also contributes to environmental sustainability.

The CUCO-SUICOM dome, which is approximately 5 meters tall and covers an area of around 260 square meters, will serve as an educational space on environmental matters during the Expo. It represents a significant step forward in construction technology, emphasizing sustainability and innovation in line with the Expo's theme of "a testing ground for future society."

Advancements in Injection Molding AI: Streamlining Log Data Acquisition and Analysis with MAZIN's New Model

Introduction of New AI Technology: MAZIN has launched an AI technology that can be externally connected to injection molding machine controllers, eliminating the need for individual sensors on each mold and facilitating AI integration with existing machinery.

Background: The injection molding industry consistently seeks to stabilize product quality. Innovations like smart molds, equipped with temperature and pressure sensors, are gaining traction to monitor and improve the molding process.

MAZIN's Solution: The new AI technology developed by MAZIN analyzes sensing data from production sites to detect anomalies and adjust production conditions. This approach significantly reduces the time and cost associated with smart mold conversion by utilizing molding machine log data for defect detection and automatic condition adjustment.

Benefits and Future Developments: This technology not only reduces costs and streamlines processes but also addresses quality variations due to geographical factory differences, machine characteristics, and operator inconsistencies. MAZIN plans to continue developing algorithms to resolve various manufacturing challenges and expand collaborations with domestic and international molding machine and sensor manufacturers.

Revolutionizing Steel Manufacturing: JFE Steel and Hitachi Unveil AI-Powered Automation Solution

JFE Steel Corporation and Hitachi, Ltd. have launched a groundbreaking solution aimed at enhancing the steel industry's manufacturing processes. This innovative solution integrates JFE Steel's expert consulting services with Hitachi's advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based cold rolling automatic shape control system. Designed to cater to both domestic and international steel manufacturers, this collaboration addresses the industry's pressing challenges, such as the need for manual adjustments by skilled operators and the transmission of their expertise.

The solution leverages AI to automate the shape correction of steel plates, significantly reducing dependency on operator skill and enhancing operational efficiency, yield rates, and product quality. By combining Hitachi's technological prowess in AI and control systems with JFE Steel's operational expertise, the partnership offers a bespoke service that includes system implementation and optimal operation consulting.

This initiative is part of JFE Group's broader strategy to boost production efficiency and labor productivity through digital transformation (DX) and sustainable practices. Similarly, Hitachi's contribution draws from its extensive experience in providing Lumada solutions across various sectors, further emphasizing the company's commitment to advancing manufacturing through digital innovation. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in addressing the generational skills gap in the steel industry, offering a solution that not only improves operational outcomes but also ensures the continuity of manufacturing excellence.

NEC Develops Marketing Strategy Planning Technology Using Generative AI, Aiming for Service Launch in 2024

NEC has developed a new technology for marketing policy planning that leverages generative AI. This technology enables the automation of visualizing customer preferences and hobbies, planning strategies, and predicting customer reactions. Its core features include AI-driven policy planning, customer response simulation, and the use of consumer data to identify needs and formulate effective measures. The technology also employs a Large-Scale Language Model (LLM) for natural language processing, allowing interactive and iterative policy planning and simulations. Additionally, it can utilize open data, benefiting companies lacking their own data resources. NEC plans to launch a service called "BestMove" using this technology by the end of 2024, which has already been applied in planning new services for ENEOS's next-generation service stations.

AI-Influenced Flu Testing by Iris's "nodoca" Reaches 50,000 Patients

Iris Inc. has announced that its AI-powered pharyngeal endoscope system, nodoca®, has reached a total of 50,000 patients for flu testing as of the end of March 2024.

Nodoca, which started in December 2022, is recognized as Japan's first AI medical device approved as a "new medical device" and has been adopted across medical facilities in all 47 prefectures by December 18, following its launch.

The system, which uses an AI to analyze throat images and medical information for flu diagnosis, provides a quick, minimally invasive testing process, offering results within seconds to a few tens of seconds.

Iris continues to focus on developing and popularizing new medical technologies, leveraging AI to transform future healthcare.

NTT Launches Its Own Developed Japanese AI, Plans Industry-Specific Collaborations

NTT, a Japanese telecommunications giant, has launched its own domestically developed generative AI, emphasizing its capabilities in Japanese language processing and industry-specific applications. This initiative, set to expand in May 2024, aims to collaborate with various companies to create AI tailored to specific sectors and tasks, minimizing the need for extensive AI training and reducing the reliance on large data centers, which, in turn, lowers costs. This move is part of NTT's strategy to differentiate itself from American companies, which are currently leading in generative AI development and commercialization. NTT's focus on utilizing company-specific data was highlighted as a key strategy. In addition to NTT, other Japanese firms like NEC, KDDI, Softbank, and the Rakuten Group are also advancing in the field, aiming to specialize in Japanese language processing and industry-specific solutions.

Fujitsu Develops Technology for 3D Data Acquisition of Marine Life and Structures Using AI

Fujitsu announced the development of a technology that uses AI and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to capture high-resolution 3D shape data of marine life and structures, aiding in the creation of marine digital twins.

The technology includes image clarification AI that allows clear identification and measurement of objects in turbid waters and real-time measurement technology for stable data acquisition in dynamic underwater environments.

By enabling precise visualization and estimation of the volume of marine organisms and structures, this technology contributes to carbon neutrality and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Fujitsu aims to expand its measurement targets, including blue carbon-absorbing seaweed, and establish marine digital twins related to algae fields by fiscal 2026 to support various conservation and carbon estimation initiatives.