In April 2024, we expanded and strengthened the functions of the Technology & Innovation Control Department – a headquarters organization – and reorganized it into the new Technology & Innovation Center.
Our core competence lies in our excellent technological development capabilities in the aerospace industry, centered on the aircraft interiors business. Traditionally, on-the-job training through practical product development and design was mainstream, but with the declining birthrate and the retirement of veteran engineers, along with the reduction in new design opportunities due to design standardization and expanded design reuse, it has become difficult to pass on and develop the valuable asset of our long-cultivated technological capabilities to the younger generation.
Therefore, in addition to overseeing technological development as before, the Technology & Innovation Center has been given the new function of systematically nurturing engineers befitting JAMCO, a Technology Oriented Company, throughout the entire company.
In addition, next-generation technologies in aircraft are expected to be put into practical use in more than 10 years from now, and even as we work closely with Groups with an eye on productization, there are areas in which further results can be expected by concentrating on research in an environment separate from product development. For this reason, in line with the Innovation Road Map 2050 formulated based on JAMCO Vision 2030, we will work on research and development with a clear path to creating products, while simultaneously engaging in innovative technology development from a long-term perspective, looking even further ahead to the next generation.
Our goal in establishing this center is to further contribute to JAMCO's value creation by promoting the systematic education of engineers and creating an environment where they can concentrate on developing next-generation technologies.
The Technology & Innovation Center comprises three campus groups. The First Campus Group aims to provide a place for endless potential and learning, operating and managing educational programs to systematically train and nurture the talents who will be responsible for the technology-oriented JAMCO. The Second Campus Group is primarily responsible for applying elemental technologies for next-generation products and advanced design based on Innovation Road Map 2050, and promoting technology development and practical application aimed at productization and commercialization within 10 years. The Third Campus Group will take on the challenge of developing innovative technologies that may not lead to immediate commercialization, such as CFRP recycling and space-related technologies, but could lead us into the next century.
Technology and Qualification Learning Center (human resource development, training, re-education, reskilling, support for qualification and certification acquisition, improvement of special technical skills)
In addition to entry-level education for new employees assigned to technical departments, we provide basic technical education along with aviation safety and quality education for all employees. Also, in the courses of basic, intermediate, and advanced educations where basic technologies related to product development, design, and manufacturing are learned and even in meister-class education, we focus on nurturing engineers who can serve as project leaders with not only expertise in specific fields, but also broad experience and knowledge.
We also work to raise and improve the skill level of our engineers by supporting the acquisition of national qualifications, engineer certifications, special skill qualifications necessary for job performance, and reskilling.
Product application research, product development research, advanced design (application and development of elemental technologies for next-generation products, design and manufacturing process innovation, product design that incorporates JAMCO Group's brand strategy)
In accordance with Innovation Road Map 2050, we promote technology development and practical application of new technologies in aerospace that anticipate customer and market needs for next-generation products. The themes mainly focus on sustainability-related issues, which have become important in the aviation industry. The inclusive accessible lavatories being jointly developed with JAXA are also handled by the Second Campus Group.
Innovative technical research (striving to develop innovative technology)
We are engaged in activities aimed at innovating completely new technologies for the next era, including research related to sustainability such as material recycling in anticipation of the retirement of composite material aircraft, which will begin in earnest from the mid-2030s, and next-generation cabin services, as well as new fields not limited to the current business domains of our Groups.
The Virtual Innovation Studio (VIS) has been completed in-house and has recently begun operations. VIS allows users to experience a sense of immersion by viewing images projected in 3D on front, side, and bottom screens through specialized VR glasses, making them feel as if they have entered a virtual world.
While walking through the interior of an aircraft, users can check the color schemes, shapes, and textures of our seats, lavatories, and other products in 3D images, giving them a sensory experience that is very near the real thing. Compared to conventional mockups, costs are reduced, and changes such as adjusting color schemes to match an airline's image colors can instantly be made. This facilitates sharing of the finished product image with customers in advance, helping to prevent miscommunications before delivery. We plan to further enhance the details and use this not only for customer presentations and negotiations, but also for employee training in the future.
In January 2024, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced on its website a joint research theme with the Company, “Proposal for an Innovative, Accessible Lavatory to Enhance Comfort in Air Travel for All.” This joint research project proposes a concept for social innovation to address the issue of lavatories (in-flight toilets) during air travel, which has been a longstanding challenge for passengers with reduced mobility.