As every business person knows, development of new business is very difficult. Even if a certain technology or product is brandnew and innovative, it is not always evaluated fairly in the business market. Some of them are not caught up with demand movement or are problematic on mass production, cost performance, brand-image build-up, fund raising, etc. Also, there are examples that a spectacularly attracted item appeared in mass media is a just a trite thing, as seen in the course of recent WeWork bankruptcy in the U.S. In addition, target of business success might change depending on the expectation and condition among related stakeholders. I think the first approach to consider effective business development is how to draw image and think possibilities about a new topic without a sense of preconception. Recent cases released by the Japanese media may give suggestion for someone to imagine potential business deployment. The first one is a communication robot for caring aged people developed by AIST in Japan. The seal-like object named PARO attracts residents at an elderly care facility in France. When a person strokes back of the robot, it raises the head and issues pretty voice. The quasi-animal equipped with AI function learns preferences of its user in natural atmosphere. So, intimate relationship between them can be grown up step by step. The second case is unmanned marine drone made by YAMAHA. The drone tows a rubber boat for transporting people and/or supplies up to five tons. The communication range covers 5km with its dedicated controller, and even long-distance remote control using a satellite Internet access service like Starlink is possible. The long-time running gasoline-engine mover finds no blind spots in all degrees, equipped with night-vision mode, thermal camera, loudspeaker. That is considered as an effective rescuer for accidental sufferers in rivers, lakes and sea. The above two products has a common aspect: a usefulness for helping people, that is, recovering their mindset and rescuing them from physically dangerous situation. Do you think such topics are hackneyed or feel any omen for new business? Either judgment depends on your sense. I think an important thing is how to draw a business scenario or story on white canvas from various angles is a key stage for making incubation of business development. Please try it from different views you take up in your mind anytime. Back-up engine for that would be a continuity of your motivation.(Takashi Higashi, President, TCS)
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