#Japan #AI #Tokyo #Digital Twin #XiLS

Progress Technologies Opens New Innovation Center

On November 1st, Progress Technologies Inc., headquartered in Koto City, Tokyo, has launched its new "Innovation Center." This facility aims to foster collaboration among businesses, academic institutions, and government bodies, focusing on the co-creation of advanced digital technologies with clients and partners.

The Innovation Center serves as a hub for innovation by utilizing cutting-edge digital technologies in manufacturing, including Digital Twin, XiLS, AI, RPA, and UX. This initiative not only promotes research and verification but also strives to discover and nurture digital transformation (DX) talent necessary for future industry developments. The center will collaborate with prominent businesses, universities, research organizations, and local governments, all while working to facilitate the co-creation of innovative technologies.

Background behind the Innovation Center

In recent years, the manufacturing industry has faced challenges due to diverse customer requirements, increasing technological advancements, and the demand for high-quality products developed within shorter timeframes. Additionally, with the aging population and a shortage of skilled engineers, securing sufficient resources has become increasingly difficult. Businesses are under pressure to improve Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) metrics while fostering innovation.

Consequently, the exploration of digital technologies to transform operations in manufacturing has accelerated. However, effectively utilizing these technologies often requires specialized knowledge and hands-on experience, making understanding difficult without practical exposure. To address these challenges, Progress Technologies has partnered with several companies to open the Innovation Center as a space where the latest digital technologies can be observed, experienced, and engaged with firsthand.

At the center, clients can interact with a range of cutting-edge tools from partner companies combined with Progress’s unique technologies. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends in essential digital technologies relevant to design and development workplaces.

Additionally, the center places a strong emphasis on cultivating skilled personnel who can effectively leverage these technologies, thereby supporting clients in adopting and maximizing the use of digital solutions.

Overview of the Innovation Center

Progress Technologies has identified five key areas of specialization in digital technologies: Digital Twin, XiLS (support for control system development), AI, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and UX (User Experience optimization). By utilizing these technologies, the Innovation Center promotes a one-stop solution that spans from conceptualization to prototyping, development, and verification in collaboration with partner companies. Moreover, by merging real-world and virtual development environments, the center allows for rapid ideation and decision-making, enhancing QCD without waste.

Development Environment at the Innovation Center

A Seamless Development Platform

At the Innovation Center, a development platform integrates real-world (face-to-face) and virtual (digital) environments seamlessly. Initial concepts are discussed in the physical space and later validated in the virtual realm. The outcomes can then be shared again in the actual workspace, facilitating iterative improvement.

Collaborative Ventures at the Innovation Center

By utilizing the Innovation Center as a hub, numerous collaborative efforts and initiatives will be launched. The center features:

• - Experiential Learning: Clients can see, interact with, and directly experience the applications of the latest digital technologies through demonstrations that combine partner tools and proprietary technology. It also offers flexible customization tailored to customer needs and challenges during these experiences.
• - Creation of New Technologies: The center accelerates the co-creation of new technologies and businesses by assessing advanced technologies and services from top-tier domestic and international partners.
• - Collaboration with Academia and Education Hub: By partnering with universities and research organizations in Japan, the center engages in research and development using digital technologies while focusing on nurturing and discovering the next generation of DX talent.
• - Regional Revitalization Hub: The Innovation Center connects with local initiatives and will collaborate with the Niigata Innovation Lab, opened in August 2024 (with plans to expand nationwide), to contribute to local revitalization through digital technology.

Office Details

• - Address: 15F DiverCity Tokyo Office Tower, 1-1-20 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo
• - Access: 5 minutes walking from the Rinkai Line "Tokyo Teleport" Station / 7 minutes walking from the Yurikamome "Daiba" Station

About Progress Technologies Inc.

Progress Technologies is Japan's only professional engineering firm. Since its establishment, it has supported major manufacturers in design, development, and process reform, providing a one-stop service that includes process consulting, digital solution implementation, system development, operational stabilization, and execution support for design and development projects. Additionally, it engages in research and practical verification of next-generation manufacturing and cutting-edge digital technologies like Digital Twin and MBSE/RFLP.

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