Yukinobu Maruyama

Information-accessing furniture to make our everyday lives more comfortable

We present a concept for information equipment called information-accessing furniture. We have developed an embedded module to be assembled into tables, mirrors, and walls. It can be easily assembled into furniture or other interior components because it is a package of information processing units, input/output units, and other optional units. This concept enables building information equipment designed to match a surrounding environment, and offers an intuitive interface to users, thus helping them to obtain information easily while doing routine activities. We developed several different prototypes with embedded modules and studied their applications. Some comments we received during interviews with end-users and interior designers are also presented 1 .

Information-accessing furniture to our everyday lives more comfortable

A concept for information equipment called information-accessing furniture is presented. We developed an embedded module to be assembled into tables, mirrors, walls, etc. It can be easily assembled into furniture or interior material because it is a package of information processing units, input/output units, and other optional units. It enables building information equipment that is designed to match the surrounding environment, and it offers an intuitive interface to users, thus helping them to obtain information easily while doing routine activities. We developed several types of prototypes with embedded modules and studied their applications. Some comments we received during interviews with end-users and interior designers are also presented

Kizashi Method – Grasping the Change of Future User’s Values

Hitachi Design Division has developed Kizashi method for grasping the change of future user’s values to design products and service from a user-centered perspective. Through the process, Hitachi identified 25 Future Signs for 2025. Combining the discovery of Kizashi with the creation of ideal future scenarios attracted many external partners, and encouraged vision-driven collaboration, such as in the fields of healthcare and mobility. For the future, not just the national government, but also private companies like Hitachi are expected to design visions for an ideal society, and realize the visions with the local governments and business partners.

What we learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake: Utilizing management issues from evacuation centers of sendai city for improving disaster management plan

Two years ago, Hitachi had agreed to cooperate with Sendai City for dealing the issues in the evacuation centers. As facing numerous issues after the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), Sendai City had immediately focused on the evacuation centers which provide safety and security to the citizens. Using a unique investigation method, the Experience-Oriented Approach, we conducted and analyzed the research in the evacuation centers and the interviews and workshops with the local governmental officials and the community directors. While the research was in progress, we realized that it was essential to reorganize the management plan, to identify the features of the evacuees by urban and suburban, and to examine the assistances that were provided to the evacuees in different time period at the evacuation centers. After evaluating all the research results, we have submitted a proposal to Sendai City. Based on all the acquired knowledge, we are continuing to develop the effective solution that will support for improving disaster management plan.