NSK's New AI-Powered Quality Trouble Reference Application
Introduction
In June 2025, NSK Ltd. began operating a state-of-the-art quality trouble reference application utilizing generative AI. This marks the first instance of NSK using generative AI in an in-house application, aiming to enhance the efficiency of its quality management processes. The application allows employees to visualize and access approximately 4,000 past quality trouble data records related to NSK products, making it easier for staff to obtain important information without requiring extensive specialized knowledge.
Application Overview
The newly developed application is designed to present accumulated quality trouble data in a visual format while also providing summarization through generative AI. Traditionally, this quality data was managed in specialized databases and reports that often lacked a fixed format, making it challenging for employees to interpret potential causal relationships. With NSK's ongoing commitment to leveraging digital technologies for resource enhancement—part of its current mid-term management plan, which started in 2022—the company has focused on strengthening its competitive edge based on quality and technology.
One of the standout features of this app is its user-friendly interface. When employees need to research risk factors during product development, they can view relevant graphs and summaries generated by AI. This eliminates the dependency on individual knowledge of specialized terms, ensuring that any employee can easily access pertinent data within approximately 30 seconds.
Starting from June 2025, the application was rolled out to over 5,000 domestic employees involved in design, manufacturing, and quality assurance, incorporating the rich history of quality trouble data accumulated over the years. There are plans to broaden the user base further to include sales and logistics teams involved in the entire product lifecycle, enhancing NSK's quality management initiatives and enabling faster, high-quality responses to customers.
Development Journey
NSK has been utilizing generative AI for internal applications such as text generation and information retrieval since 2023. This quality trouble reference application is its first project to apply generative AI in a specialized field. The project began validating the technology in October 2024 with table-structured data concerning quality troubles. By employing agile development methods, NSK managed to design and implement the application in around six months.
The application maintains the data structure while designing an intuitive user interface, allowing users to achieve their research goals without being hindered by varying levels of expertise. This effective application of generative AI has become a staple in NSK's internal business processes.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, NSK plans to expand the application’s use beyond domestic operations to international branches. By adapting to employee needs, NSK aims to deliver even faster and higher quality products to customers. Enhanced accuracy in responses and improved search functionalities for data are also on the roadmap for development.
As NSK accelerates the practical use of generative AI leveraging various data sources within the company, it continues to align with its mid-term management plan to strengthen resources through digital technology while contributing to a sustainable society as a reliable and necessary business entity.
About NSK
Established in 1916, NSK was the first company in Japan to produce bearings and has spent over a century developing various innovative products and technologies essential for industrial advancement. With a presence in around 30 countries, NSK ranks as the world's third-largest in the bearing sector and leads globally in ball screws and electric power steering. NSK pursues its corporate philosophy of contributing to a smoother and safer society through MOTION & CONTROL™, while enhancing connections between people across nations. NSK Vision 2026, aimed at creating 'new movements,' emphasizes co-creating value that meets societal expectations while balancing corporate development and social contributions.