Q6)There are several companies out there that are vying for the top position. How does RiMM stay ahead of the competition and what according to you are the differentiating factors that give it a competitive edge?
A6)We focus on business to increase safety. We look at VR from the opposite perspective of entertainment. VR is regarded as a tool for reproducing sensation, and the maximum use effect is brought out. Currently, the use effect of VR we are aiming for is to move people’s heart. The most important way to experience a dangerous event and change its consciousness is to experience the event and feel psychologically disgusting or scary. The physical experience of fear is different for each person. Overcoming this central obstacle requires adjusting the strength of that sensation of fear appropriately to suit each individual participant’s characteristics. Our product divides recreated senses into multiple stages and has a mechanism that allows for adjusting the intensity level during the simulation. At the current stage, an individual participant’s specifications are evaluated with a pre-simulation questionnaire and an appropriate intensity level is selected. An experience like this where the intensity level has been adjusted stimulates the same psychological response as an actual real-life experience. That effect can leave an impression of the sense of danger in the mind (of the user) and can be remembered as a heightened awareness of danger. With this, a user’s sense of awareness can be changed, making them more sensitive to danger.
Q7)To bring out the story, share one or two case studies with us where your company has helped its clients overcome their challenges and attain desired outcomes with your innovative array of solutions?
A7)In order to safely perform the decommissioning work of a nuclear power plant, it is equipped with a simulation function to remotely operate a robot, and the actual work situation is sequentially reproduced in a simulation environment using CAD and laser measurement, and safe and efficient work The function to find out the method is realized. We have been developing additional functions for three years since the release of the simulator.
Furthermore, in order to protect the nuclear power plant from terrorism, it is equipped with a mechanism to simulate the emulation function of protective equipment and learn the optimal protective equipment design by changing the layout. This security simulator for nuclear non-proliferation has been recognized as one of IAEA educational program. It has been used for education for 7 years, and since last year, we have been developing an extended simulator that includes new functions.
Q8)Could you give us some insights pertaining to the back-story behind Santoku Corporation, which led to the inception of the company? Also please elaborate on the work culture/core philosophy that your company stands by.
A8)I was invited by the company to do a new 3D business and joined the company. Originally, as an engineer in Mechanical Engineering, I wanted to try something new. At the same time, CAD was being designed and drafted in 3D, and it began to be used in general-purpose applications. But that 3D data is only used for design and manufacturing, and that’s it. After that, it was not used for maintenance, manuals, or secondary use. It was a time when I was looking for ways to make better use of it. To reduce disasters from society, create a mechanism to keep improving for safety! Our team members, who are active in various industrial fields and do not specialize in VR, gather and develop software as needed.
Q9)Looking ahead, where and how do you envision your company in few years down the lane, in terms of growth as well as geographical expansion? Could you let us know more about your product/services roadmap that would be valuable for a prospective client?
A9)I want to spread RiMM overseas. I think Japan is the world’s top country in terms of safety. The RiMM business has grown because Japan is a country that has taken safety seriously.
On the other hand, when compared to Japan, I feel that overseas is not very serious about safety. Recently, awareness of safety has been reviewed, especially in emerging countries. Earlier, when I went to an exhibition in Singapore, there was a considerable response to RiMM. Since little by little, we have been able to get a good response from overseas, so I believe that Japan’s safety and security brand will become a viable industry. First of all, I changed my policy once to abandon all technology and create what people needed. That’s why we focused on safety education. At every work site, there is a danger of accidents and accidents, and there are accidents that can cause death. To reduce such accidents, I wondered if I could educate through VR experience. The result is the safety simulator “RiMM”.
Q10)Is there anything else that you would like us to highlight in the story that we might have missed out in the questionnaire?
A10)In this way, dangerous physical experience training using virtual reality is used in various fields. Environmental data is prepared to suit each field and accidents are being recreated in more specialized environments. Accordingly, it is urgently necessary to prepare a flexible and effective software creation environment as well as to establishing an event recreation database. The virtual reality that we’ve shown up until now will be used more and more as a way of safely sharing various kinds of information related to safety and it is contributing to the development of safety education and training systems. This kind of educational system that makes use of virtual reality can effectively and directly change people’s awareness from a psychological standpoint, and if used appropriately, can achieve a highly effective educational system.
Future posts will be posted twice a month and will be open to the public on Wednesday. Thank you very much.