NTT Research and Development 2012 Review of Activities

2011 Symposiums/Forums Schedule (arranged chronologically)

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NTT R&D Forum 2012

NTT R&D Forum 2012 was held over three days from February 15 to 17 (a preview for NTT group companies was held on the 15^th). With the cooperation of the NTT DATA R&D Headquarters, and the NTT DOCOMO R&D Center, the forum was held jointly by NTT’s three laboratory groups at the NTT Musashino R&D Center. During the three days, the event drew about 5,800 visitors. With the unified concept of “ICT that creates, supports, and continues to evolve,” the forum offered demonstrations to visitors on NTT’s activities to contribute to the creation of a vital society in diverse ways through the use of ICT.

Besides the keynotes, special lecture, and panel discussion, the event offered an exhibition corner divided into the three themes of “ICT that creates new services,” “ICT that supports societies,” and “ICT that continues to evolve.” All the themes revolved around the unified concept mentioned above to introduce NTT’s latest research achievements. We made efforts to convey to visitors the intention of each theme and how the different exhibits are connected by installing large scenario boards that introduced the exhibition themes, as well as by assigning concierges to the exhibits. Also, in response to the recent Great East Japan Earthquake, we introduced technologies beneficial for disaster management in the “Disaster control and recovery support” exhibit.

To meet the needs of visitors from outside Japan, all addresses were simultaneously interpreted, and all exhibits and forum information were written in both English and Japanese. Furthermore, event announcements in English and English guidebooks to all exhibits were specially prepared.

The NTT History Center of Technologies in the NTT Musashino R&D Center had a special opening during the forum. Choosing highlights, tour guides gave a “Time Slip Tour” to visitors. Attendees viewed valuable historical exhibits from the era of the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation to the present history of NTT R&D’s technological developments. As part of new efforts using ICT, a blog tour was given for specially recruited bloggers, and information was presented by the PR office via social media. These efforts provided many avenues of access to this event.

Visitors to the NTT R&D Forum 2012 were able to experience NTT R&D’s diverse efforts and steady advancements. Valuable comments by many participants and discussions about how services should be provided made the forum a significant event.

NTT President and CEO Satoshi Miura giving the keynote address

Scene from an exhibition

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NTT Communication Science Laboratories “Open House 2011” 20^th Anniversary

As an event to showcase their latest research achievements in communication science, the NTT Communication Science Laboratories held an open house on June 9 (Thursday) and 10 (Friday), 2011, at the NTT Keihanna Building. The event, held during the 20^th anniversary of NTT CS Labs’ founding, drew about 1,100 visitors over the course of the two days.

At the beginning of the open house, NTT Senior Executive Vice President Noritaka Uji thanked all involved parties on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of NTT CS Labs’ establishment. He also expressed the hopes placed on future basic research. The event also welcomed Mr. Yamaguchi of Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library, who presented words of congratulations. Next, Director Ueda discussed the history of NTT CS Labs up to the present day and its newest research achievements, as well as the trends of future research. The invited speaker, Professor Mariko Hasegawa of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, gave an address on the evolution of human communication and ICT society.

During the open house, researchers give five lectures on the latest remarkable results of their research. Thirty more research findings were presented at the exhibits. There were hands-on demonstrations, including the Human and Information Science Laboratory’s “Touchable Illusions” and large monitors that explained communication systems, making it easy for visitors to understand the research achievements. Furthermore, to celebrate the labs’ 20^th anniversary, commemorative pamphlets were distributed and an exhibit was created showing the chronology of organizational changes of NTT CS Labs and its major research achievements, introducing visitors to NTT CS Labs’ 20 years of progress.

We were honored by the open house’s visitors, who expressed comments from diverse points of views. This gave us the opportunity to obtain valuable hints for advancing basic research.

Greetings by NTT CS Labs Director Naonori Ueda

Scene from research exhibits

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Summer Children’s Hands-on Science Workshop 2011

The NTT Information Sharing Laboratory Group held “Summer Children’s Hands-on Science Workshop 2011” on August 27 (Saturday) and 28 (Sunday), 2011.

This event, held previously at the NTT Musashino R&D Center, was moved in 2011 to the just-opened Musashino Place, established by Musashino City.

First in the summer workshop, Dr. Yasunori Harada of the NTT Communication Science Laboratories held a workshop called “VISCUIT —Let’ s Try to Program Animations and Games!” A PC was handed out to each child, and they enjoyed making original games as part of teams.

Next, at a special exhibit organized by the NTT History Center of Technologies, children experienced using old telephones, such as Delville magnetic telephones and No.4 Desktop Telephone Sets. They also experienced communicating with parabolic antenna and enjoyed a game called “tenoripop^®,” which showcased NTT’ s research achievements.

Five units of NTT’ s high performance backup power supply system were installed in the workshop. These units use energy stored during the night to power 32 PCs in the workshop and provide power to projectors, helping reduce energy used during peak daytime hours.

A total of 110 children participated in the summer workshop. They experienced the joy of programming while at the same time engaged a wide range of research achievements hands-on, from old telephones to the newest technologies, such as “tenoripop^®.”

“VISCUIT” workshop. Children watching original games they created in teams.

“VISCUIT” workshop. Children creating original animation using touch pens.

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NTT Yokosuka R&D Center Open Day & Lecture for Citizens 2011

With the cooperation of the NTT DOCOMO R&D Center and Yokosuka Branch NTT EAST-Kanagawa, the Open Day and Lecture for Citizens was held at the NTT Yokosuka R&D Center on October 23 (Saturday), 2011.

We prepared many exhibits so that both children and adults can have fun while experiencing our R&D achievements. We also held workshops on science and technology for elementary students. Lab members also gave tours of the center, introducing visitors to facilities such as server rooms and labs.

In the morning, “Dr. Ken” presented the “Exciting Science Show” on the main attraction stage, which allowed parents and children to enjoy learning science together. The participants conducted experiments on subjects such as air and static electricity using balloons and other objects. They deepened their familiarity with science while enjoying the program. In an experiment, the participants joined hands in a circle and conducted static electricity. Their shouts of surprise and their laughter filled the venue.

The 23^rd NTT Lecture for Citizens was held in the afternoon. With the title of “Creating new Services: From Takeyama and Hikarinooka to the World,” Project Manager Mineki Ichimori of the NTT Cyber Solutions Laboratories introduced topics including the center’s history and NTT’s recent communication services, as well as the company’s efforts to create new services.

Besides these programs, there were booths where the Yokosuka Community Workshop Association sold sweets and handmade crafts, and exhibit corners reporting NTT’s response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and introducing the center’s community activities. The Open Day drew a large crowd of over 600 visitors, including family members.

Tour of a server room as part of the tour of the facilities

Lecture for Citizens

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Tsukuba Forum 2011

To bring about a prosperous society realized through communication infrastructures, and to create communication networks that provide trusted peace of mind strongly demanded after the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we held Tsukuba Forum 2011 over two days from November 29 (Tuesday) to 30 (Wednesday). With the theme of “An access network to sustain a safe and secure society for a bright future,” the event drew a total of 126 organizations, including joint sponsors and NTT Group companies, and presented addresses and exhibits.

At the Tsukuba International Congress Center, NTT Senior Executive Vice President, Noritaka Uji gave the keynote lecture entitled “The NTT Group’s Latest Activities —Aiming to Become a Global ICT Service Company—.” NTT EAST Executive Vice President Masayuki Yamamura gave the special lecture on “Overcoming the Damage of the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster and Looking Beyond It —The challenge of keeping our customers connected—.” The lectures were attended by many visitors.

At the NTT Tsukuba R&D Center, besides workshops and technical sessions, there were exhibits on our newest R&D achievements and optical access facilities, demonstrations by a Skills Olympics gold medalist, introductions of a variety of related products supporting optical fiber cables and communication networks, and technological exchange events. This year’s forum also placed an emphasis on disaster response and prevention by presenting exhibits that contribute to disaster preparation and recovery and protection under the exhibition theme of disaster countermeasures, which drew a great amount of interest. In addition, a panel exhibit gave information on “Recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Current State,” and Takashi Kunugi, Senior Researcher at the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, gave lectures at workshops. These events were attended by many visitors.

The event made participants realize the criticality of greater speed, greater capacity and the role of communication services as lifelines for achieving secure and reliable access networks for a prosperous society. This realization was born through the participation of about 10,000 visitors who exchanged technical views in this forum.

Lectures at the Tsukuba International Congress Center

Exhibits at the NTT Tsukuba R&D Center (NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories)

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NTT Laboratories OPEN LABO

The 6^th annual exhibition introducing NTT R&D activities, “NTT Laboratories OPEN LABO,” was held for undergraduate and graduate students on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

The exhibition aimed to stimulate students’ curiosity, enthusiasm and interest by giving opportunities to talk directly with young researchers of the NTT Laboratories, as well as to browse exhibitions of the latest R&D achievements. 526 students visited the site of the event, the NTT Musashino R&D Center.

Specific activities to stimulate students’ interest and desire to join the NTT Laboratories included a keynote speech on the R&D vision by the head of the Research and Development Planning Department, an introduction of the NTT laboratories, demonstrations of the latest R&D achievements, panel discussions with young researchers, and career counseling.

Keynote speech on the R&D vision

Demonstrations of the latest R&D achievements

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