Technology companies are exploring ways to find new relevance in the post-Covid world, probing possibilities that address changed working patterns, travel and networks. Epson has established its new Open Innovation Centre research laboratory at its AiCT ICT offices, in which the company will work with partners to help find solutions to societal issues.
 |
| Epson’s new Open Innovation Centre Research Laboratory - towards 'smart cities' |
Epson has also started participating in the Aizu Open Innovation (AOI) meeting through which it has begun collaborating with the University of Aizu, an historic western Fukushima province town close to the famed volcanic Lake Inawashiro. It lies 270km north of Tokyo.
Using the internet, cloud and other digital networks, Epson aims to seamlessly integrate products such as printers, scanners, and projectors together with services to offer solutions that help solve issues faced by society. Against a background of changing societal requirements due to the Covid pandemic, the company is in particular looking to create new value in more enriched experiences in lifestyles, learning, working and the home.
 |
| Lake Inawashiro, closeby to Aizuwakamatsu |
Against this background, the city of Aizuwakamatsu has launched its Smart City* Aizuwakamatsu program at which it aims to harness ICT to foster the growth of a sustainable and revitalised city that supports fulfilled and comfortable lifestyles. Epson established its new research laboratory after noticing significant synergies with the city’s efforts to forge a partnership among the municipality, residents and university to promote a digital transformation.
The company will proactively participate in initiatives such as Smart City Aizuwakamatsu and the AOI meeting as it seeks to generate new value for society. The pursuit of open innovation is an important aspect of the company’s 'Epson 25' business plan. Epson’s efforts to boost collaborations with partners aimed at finding solutions to societal issues began in May 2020 at WeWork Shibuya Scramble Square in Shibuya, Tokyo, a site at which many startups and other businesses have operations.
Going forward, the company aims to further strengthen an environment in which it can combine the technology, ideas and expertise generated from a diverse range of markets and corporate cultures to solve issues in society.
* Smart City AiCT is a site for ICT-related organisations created based on concepts such as realising smart cities, open innovation and regional collaboration. Picture credits Epson’s new Open Innovation Centre research laboratory at its AiCT ICT offices
