Collaboration with National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

In late May, there was a meeting to report the results of the Sumitomo Riko - AIST Advanced Polymer Devices Collaboration Laboratory (hereafter referred to as the "Collaboration Laboratory"). Since the new coronavirus infection was moved to category 5 infectious disease, I visited AIST headquarters in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, together with Special Advisor Matsui, for the first time in a long while. This collaborative laboratory is located in the Human Information Interaction Research Division of AIST and was established in 2020.

Furthermore, in the following year, a special road that had been developed on AIST's test course was completed. This initiative is related to "Autonomous Driving" and "Healthcare," which we believe will be essential to overcome the rough and tumble of the CASE era.
We are working toward an early practical application of this technology by adding AIST's knowledge of human information engineering to our own bio functional measurement technology.

Summary of the Results Report Meeting

In the report meeting, there was a presentation on "If we can further advance the detection of distracted driving (dazed state) using our driver monitoring system: “Moni-Life”, which utilizes our SR sensor, it will be effective in improving driver safety with the use of automated driving conditions.
As for me, I believe that if we can utilize vital data, we can improve the quality of travel time in mobility from the perspective of preventive safety. As for the concept of a car, the priority may be to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers. However, it is assumed that in the near future, cars will provide not only mobility but also the ultimate private space.
I imagined that the elements that make using mobility "fun," "comfortable," "interesting," etc., would be what differentiates mobility. Therefore, I asked the members of the collaborative laboratory to proceed without forgetting to be playful, and to approach it with a positive sense. By accelerating joint research with AIST, which is included as one of the business strategies in the "2025 Sumitomo Riko Group Med-Term Management Plan" announced at the end of May, we intend to "further improve profitability and strengthen the management base for sustainable growth".

Related Release
Formulation of "2029 Sumitomo Riko Group Vision" and "2025 Sumitomo Riko Group Mid-Term Management Plan"
https://www.sumitomoriko.co.jp/english/news/2023/jjs0va000000006g-att/n51910679-e.pdf

SUMITOMO RIKO President's Blog

The contents of this blog are compiled by the Public Relations and Investor Relations Department of Sumitomo Riko Company Limited as the secretariat and posted on the blog based on the speeches and wr