Taizo Miyachi

A quiet navigation for safe crosswalk by ultrasonic beams

Recently cars are been equipped with intelligent systems aiding safe driving. However a large percentage of traffic accidents between human and automobile happen on crosswalk. Intelligent functions from road side are also indispensable in order to make crosswalk safer. We propose a quiet navigation system for safe crosswalks by parametric speakers in order to allow pedestrians to safely cross streets for 24 hours and to find an easy way to their destination. In this paper we examine different types of new parametric speakers comparing them with regular traffic signal loudspeakers and propose a useful type of the speakers.

An Autonomous Emergency Warning System Based on Cloud Servers and SNS

Abstract There are no warning systems for earthquake, fire and gas disasters in Almaty (Kazakhstan). We propose an autonomous emergency warning system that provides useful awareness against unpredictable disasters. The system mainly consists of sensor network, disaster information mapping server, SNS module, and web server. When the system detects a disaster it distributes real-time warnings with levels of danger and signs of severe damages by the sensor data and GPS position to residents by both SNS (twitter) and the Website with Google maps including real-time safety places. We built a prototype system and could confirm the effectiveness of the warning system.

Doze driving prevention system by low frequency stimulation and high density oxygen with fragrance of GF (Grape Fruit)

The car is an indispensable thing for daily life. However, there is danger of causing the accident and dying. The accident is often caused by the drive dozing (drowsy while driving). Four experiment conditions were tested (1) the low frequency electrical vibration massage for a palm (1-1) and finger (1-2), (2) high density oxygen (a spray can), (3) the fragrance of the grapefruit as aromatherapy, and (4) combined multi-stimuli of (1-1)(2)(3) condition ((1-1) finger was selected due to better arousal rate than (1-2) palm) in this experiment. As a result, all four different conditions showed some arousal effects to help awake. Synergy effect of (4) multi-stimulus combined condition obtained as highest arousal rate. We propose these stimuli to include future automobile computing systems control.

An expansion of space affordance by sound beams and tactile indicators

The information in mobile terminal should be connected to objects in an immediate space where a pedestrian walks. We propose a mobility assistance system by parametric speakers cooperating with the Braille blocks with embedded IC-tag so as to allow pedestrians to safely perform tasks in the artificial space affordance. Complicated structures in a town, perceptive information and cognitive information useful for various scenes in the town are also discussed.

Doze Sleepy Driving Prevention System (Finger Massage, High Density Oxygen Spray, Grapefruit Fragrance) with that Involves Chewing Dried Shredded Squid

Abstract Doze sleepy driving causes many fatal traffic accidents. Furuhata, T., Miyachi, T., and Adachi, T. (2011) proposed a successful new doze sleepy driving prevention system with a combined multiple stimulus that provides (1) a low frequency electrical vibration massage for the palm, (2) a high density oxygen spray, and (3) the fragrance of a grapefruit as aromatherapy[1] [2]. In this study, new stimulus (4) chewing dried shredded squid was included and tested with the other three stimuli (1)(2)(3) together. There were two research conditions, which are following: Condition A is (1)(2)(3) as the traditional system, Condition B is (1)(2)(3), which added the (4) dried squid as the mixed system. Nine long-distance professional truck drivers tested the stimuli while they were driving. The professional drivers’ survey responses are compared. The new method with dried squid, which comprised (1)(2)(3) with(4) dried squid showed better arousal responses than the traditional system(1)(2)(3). Thus, by adding different stimuli, the doze sleepy driving prevention system could arrange to add different stimuli and have the potential to be an even better system. We continue to propose new stimuli to include future computer systems for automobiles.

Structuring Spatial Knowledge and Fail-Safe Expression for Directive Voice Navigation

Navigation systems in mobile terminals are often useful for finding a way to the destination. However it is not easy for pedestrians to consult small maps with a sense of direction in a target area. Voice navigation is easy and useful for everybody to easily know spatial information in a map. However pedestrians should build mental maps based on the spatial information in voice guide. We propose and examine a quiet route navigation system with directive voice beams for pedestrians in order to safely reach to the destination. A method for making a fail-safe voice guide that allows pedestrians to easily understand and remember spatial information avoiding misunderstanding is also discussed.

Rolls of facilitator in collaborative active learning for relaxing life

Abstract AI could replace many of our human jobs as threatening in the future. However, AI is not good at creativity side to design something new which does not exist before. Therefore, we focus the human creativity and invented the Collaborative Active Learning method in Feedback Oriented Design (CALFOD) is as useful in terms of enhancing creativity of learners for building the new product design and innovative systems. Many innovative systems can be created utilizing sensor data in multiple fields, such as “Health care by Apple Watch,” and “Automatic driving by Google” in IoT society. We analyze the roles of a facilitator of CALFOD to strengthen the effectiveness of CALFOD. We also discuss experimental results and clarify important assists for learners’ collaboration to create relaxing life system utilizing advanced technologies/philosophy and improvement by easy HMI, and emotional design.

Human Robot Communication with Facilitators for Care Robot Innovation

Abstract Numbers of Caregivers and care facilities are already in a shortage in Japan. Instead, communication type of care robot could contribute more for facility care and day service. New collaboration services between human and the communication type of care robots with AI and BigData that exceed human capabilities could be an effective solution for caregiver and care facility shortage problems. We analyze how Communication between Human and care Robots (HRC) successfully performed for both recreations and health gymnastics in two types of cares, (I) facility care and (II) day service, using the robot function of humanoid speaking and actions. We also discuss effective roles of facilitators and strategies of facilitations for managing new collaboration that produces synergy effects among caregivers, care-receivers, and the communication type of robots, as “care robot innovation.”

A collaborative active learning for enhancing creativity for multiple disciplinary problems

An active learning method with six creative stages for citizen to enhance creativity in multiple disciplinary could be very important to activate innovation in a city innovation and solve complex problems in cross disciplinary. We propose a collaborative active learning method with an easy start-up for improving QOL and activating innovation in the city by combination of creative methods, such as brain writing, brain storming, “three minutes advertisement,” speed storming, “focus rotation thinking,” scenario based thinking, “market mapping,” “advanced technology/philosophy thinking,” and “emotional design thinking of action.” The learning method enables participants to easily start enhancing creativity over multiple fields and to collaborate for creating new values for both visitors and residents. Their new ideas with effective hypothesis could produce synergetic effects on activating the cities. We also discuss evaluation by rubric means.

An Relationship between Stress-less and Comfortable Acoustic Information, and Asymmetry Changes in Hemoglobin Concentrations☆

Abstract We evaluated the effect of stress-less and comfortable acoustic information on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity. We measured the blood flow and hemoglobin concentration changes by Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) during listening to acoustic information. We observed that right and center PFC activity increases against unpleasant acoustic information. Left and center PFC decreases for users favorite and stress-less acoustic information. These results suggest that comfortable and stress-less acoustic information are discriminated by this observation method of asymmetric activities in PFC. The method can be applied to find stress-less acoustic resources and their stress-less and comfortable combinations.