Kyocera Opens New AI and IoT Research Center

Kyocera Corporation recently announced the opening of a new Minato Mirai Research Center in Yokohama, Japan. The center was created with the aim of promoting open innovation and the development of new business and technologies, the company said.

Kyocera operates three research and development facilities around the Tokyo metropolitan area which focus on software and systems for the telecommunications, automotive, and environmental & energy industries. Recognizing the importance of technological development in these fields, the company reportedly has established the Minato Mirai Research Center in order to integrate resources of the current three facilities and encourage new business creation and R&D related to IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and autonomous driving.

According to the release, the building includes two co-creation spaces ? “Creative Fab” on the first floor and “Innovation Square” on the sixth floor ? which have been arranged for the purpose of encouraging the creation of new ideas.

“Expansion of our current businesses and creation of new businesses are necessary for the Kyocera Group to reach its target of 2 trillion yen in sales by March 2021. In addition to reducing our operating costs by doubling productivity and revising inefficient processes, we hope to create synergies between each business section inside the company and accelerate joint projects with outside partners to develop new businesses,” said Hideo Tanimoto, President, Kyocera Corporation, at the opening ceremony. “Taking advantage of Minato Mirai’s unique business ecosystem, we will also focus on promoting open innovation.”