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INTERFACE

TALK 3/3

By adding movement that is human-like, interfaces will assist ideas: TAKASHI KURATA

February 9, 2016

This is part three of a three-part discussion on future technologies and devices between a sci-fi author, Takashi Kurata, who is gaining attention for his unique view on the world, and Ricoh researcher Keiichiro Yutani. In this last installment they begin with what they think about the obliteration of objects, reverse thinking, and the moment of joy and real thrill in their jobs. They then chat about what they hope to see in future technologies.

How do we come to an understanding of evolving technology and the relationship between transience and human feelings?

  • Yutani

    In the story this time, when I read that section about Papel Nova as a media based on the premise of being able to obliterate, I felt that you were trying to send a message that physical objects as hardware/software should disappear depending on the situation.

  • Kurata

    Yes, that’s right. It was my intention to convey that there are things that, when they disappear, it is good and there are also things that in certain cases when they disappear, a burden does not remain. In the story this time, there is a section where the vast amount of paper that is output in one day of work disappears at the end of the workday and this is perceived as positive.

  • Yutani

    The Papel Nova object itself can be divided and change its shape. I thought the idea that includes the ability to disintegrate, disappear, and then be recycled was original. That’s because when it comes to engineers that are involved in manufacturing, they usually decide to make something that is as heavy-duty as possible (laughter).

  • Kurata

    In the case of fiction, I think it might be easier to use a simple principle of, turning over is interesting. This is what has been referred to as reverse thinking. If this is applied to actual manufacturing, for example the idea of turning a teacup upside down in relation to whether not that becomes a new object, you only get spilled tea (laughter). In that way, it is difficult because of the constraints of reality.

  • Yutani

    As for me, I can think about tilting the tea cup; however, I would end up predicting that turning it upside down would spill the tea (laughter). Even though that is the case, reverse thinking is interesting and I would like to put it into actual practice. Incidentally, when you are creating a new work, at what point do you feel it is interesting and pleasurable?

  • Kurata

    I am the most excited right before a novel is completed. There is still polishing and other things remaining to be done at that stage; however, it is at that point where the overall picture of the story has developed to the most detail, in my mind. Particularly for full-length novels, the structure becomes complex and retaining all of those details in my head is difficult. When I vividly feel that, “I was able to create such a great work,” it is in that fleeting moment that I feel the most bliss. How about you?

  • Yutani

    When something that I have conceived is actually realized as a prototype product. I’m very pleased, particularly when someone gives me his or her suggestions, such as, “I think it should be done this way, shouldn’t it?” Providing such a challenge means that person implies an expectation of, “If this can be realized, I really want to use it”, I think.

  • Left: Keiichiro Yutani, System Device Development Department, Institute of Future Technology, Ricoh Co., Ltd.; Right: Takashi Kurata, Author

The real thrill of your ideas and basic research becoming an object

  • Yutani

    In the story there is a section that appears saying that matching the electronic input and the physical input will result in strength. Why did you think that way?

  • Kurata

    To take an actual example in the world of security, there is an authorization process that involves showing a line of text that can only be read by a human. The idea came from a mechanism where mechanical manipulation cannot take place without using a part of a real living person.

  • Yutani

    Also when you cut Papel Nova, human action is required, isn’t it?

  • Kurata

    That also was the result of thinking that, in the functionality of an interface, it is better to include human movement as that will assist ideas and work. When I’m actually doing my work, there are often times when I have the sensation that it is difficult to throw away the convenience and freedom of paper.

  • Yutani

    I think the tactile sensation is also a feature of paper. In things like touch panels, the utilization of haptic sense feedback technology improves the quality of work through strengthening the sensation of touching.

  • Kurata

    Oh I see. As far as tactile sensation, isn’t it very beneficial to you if you let people actually touch objects that are born created from the results of basic research?

  • Yutani

    That is quite beneficial. When I give a presentation with slides on research results, there is not particularly much of a reaction, and then when a prototype is made that can be actually touched and felt, people really put forth all kinds of opinions.

  • Kurata

    How was it when you first actually touched the prototype for the glasses?

  • Yutani

    I noticed plenty of small things such as features of the product, reaction speed, and shade of color, and thought, if the design remains the same, the glasses would not be very attractive.

  • Kurata

    At first there is nothing but a mere blue-print and then the object actually appears. I am also thrilled with just imagining that moment.

  • Yutani

    At the design phase I understand the specs, but once it is completed, I want to immediately put them on, move them around, and see how they feel.

  • Kurata

    I think it is a real big thrill to see the connection between the basic research that you worked on, and an actual object that is created.

  • Yutani

    Yes. I want to move forward from now as well, in using research and development to create things that can be used in daily life and things that can make the daily lives of people more convenient. Is there a device that you would absolutely want to see realized?

  • Kurata

    I think I want things related to safety and health to rapidly become better. For example, I want to see the further development of visual-aid devices for the visually impaired that through application of a signal to the brain, those people can receive visual information, and also development of such prosthesis apparatuses like artificial arms and legs. It would be great if they could compliment and then enhance human functions and evolve to be linked in supporting communications. As an engineer, what is the next hurdle that you would like to surmount?

  • Yutani

    It’s a bit on the worldly side, but I think that would have to be the cost of the commercialization of technology, wouldn’t it (laughter)?

  • Kurata

    But, it is good news that now you came to the point where you can talk about the cost.

  • Yutani

    Yes. I’ll work hard at creating something that can appear in your novels.

  • Kurata

    I think that all of the various information that I have heard today will provide food for thought in my writing. We both have something to look forward to, don’t we?

PROFILE

  • Takashi Kurata

    Takashi KurataAuthor

    Born in Saitama in 1971. After discontinuing studies at Tokyo Metropolitan University Section 2, Engineering Department, Electronic Information Department, Kurata worked as both an illustrator and cartoonist while working for a company that developed course materials for the web. After working free-lance in the web development industry, Kurata debuted in 2010 as a science fiction author. In 2015, with publishing his novel, Haha Ni Naru, Ishino Tsubute De, he was a finalist in the Second Hayakawa Sci-fi Contest.

  • Keiichiro Yutani

    Keiichiro YutaniSystem Device Development Department, Institute of Future Technology, Ricoh Co., Ltd.

    Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1981. Keiichiro Yutani joined Ricoh in 2006 after completing a degree at a graduate school of Osaka University. His university research was in the field of advanced bioengineering, which included the study of organic transistors. After joining Ricoh, he was involved in research on transistors and secondary batteries and devices that make use of organic functional materials. In 2012, Yutani was appointed to electrochromic research and is presently in charge of device architecture and coating process R&D as well as application search for marketing and other areas.

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All article

  • PROLOGUE

    Paper Office: TAKASHI KURATA

    Paper Office: TAKASHI KURATA

  • STORY 1/3

    The Cradle:TAKASHI KURATA

    The Cradle:TAKASHI KURATA

  • STORY 2/3

    Born on that Planet:TAKASHI KURATA

    Born on that Planet:TAKASHI KURATA

  • STORY 3/3

    Transitory and Moving to the New: TAKASHI KURATA

    Transitory and Moving to the New: TAKASHI KURATA

  • TALK 1/3

    The birth of ideas occurs through imagining how technology is changing:TAKASHI KURATA

    The birth of ideas occurs through imagining how technology is changing:TAKASHI KURATA

  • TALK 2/3

    Social media is the information source allowing me to run into information a bit off target from my interest :TAKASHI KURATA

    Social media is the information source allowing me to run into information a bit off target from my interest :TAKASHI KURATA

  • TALK 3/3

    By adding movement that is human-like, interfaces will assist ideas and work: TAKASHI KURATA

    By adding movement that is human-like, interfaces will assist ideas and work: TAKASHI KURATA

Theme

  • archive

    WORK PLACE

    icon HIDEAKI SENA

    HIDEAKI SENA

  • archive

    WORK STYLE

    icon MASAMI YUKI

    MASAMI YUKI

  • archive

    COMMUNICATION

    icon CHIYOMARU SHIKURA

    CHIYOMARU SHIKURA

  • OFFICE DEVICE

    MITSUO ISO

  • WORK PLACE

    TOH ENJOE

  • EDUCATION

    KATSUIE SHIBATA

  • INTERFACE

    TAKASHI KURATA

  • LIFESTYLE

    TETSUYA MIZUGUCHI