Piezo Sonic Fuels Future of Ultrasonic Motors with Idea-thon 2025

On August 30, 2025, Piezo Sonic, a company specializing in the development, production, and sales of motors and robotics, held its inaugural event dubbed the 'Next-Gen Motor Idea-thon 2025.' This innovative workshop aimed at expanding the recognition and applications of the company’s signature ultrasonic motor, the Piezo Sonic Motor. Participants from diverse backgrounds, including engineers, digital creators, and students, gathered to compete with their unique ideas.

The event took place at PiO PARK, just one station away from Haneda Airport. With an array of interesting concepts vying for recognition, the excitement in the air was palpable. Judges included Kohei Tada, CEO of Piezo Sonic, along with Yasushi Goto, CEO of P-Band.com, and Taka Yu Shinozaki, CEO of Global Market, ensuring that the evaluation process was both thorough and competitive.

Features of the Ultrasonic Motor

During the event, Tada introduced the key features of the ultrasonic motor that set it apart:

1. No Power, No Problem: Unlike electromagnetic motors, which lose positional support when powered down, the ultrasonic motor locks its axis without electrical power. This aspect allows robotic applications to retain their position even when offline.

2. Powerful and Quiet Operation: Ultrasonic motors can generate substantial force without gears, enabling smoother and quieter movement than their counterparts, which rely on gears for strength.

3. Stability in Magnetic Fields: With no magnets or coils involved, these motors operate reliably in environments with strong magnetic fields, such as MRI rooms and industrial settings.

These unique characteristics enable the ultrasonic motors to be utilized in various applications such as surveillance cameras, MRI peripheral devices, and the company's smart city robot, the Mighty-D4. However, certain limitations exist, particularly concerning high-speed rotations and prolonged operation.

Idea Creation Driven by Social Challenges

Participants were divided into five groups for brainstorming sessions, focusing on different societal challenges such as “Nature & Polar Regions,” “Everyday Life,” “Healthcare & Welfare,” “Disasters & Dangerous Environments,” “Industry & Factories,” “Transportation & Cities,” and “Space & Special Environments.”

One group concentrated on injury risks associated with self-training, proposing a rehabilitation support robot driven by ultrasonic motors. Another group's ideas responded to rising food prices by suggesting solar concentrators and automated watering systems for home gardens.

Evaluating Ideas and Group Presentations

Each group selected their representative ideas based on four evaluation criteria: originality, novelty, feasibility, and excitement level. The selected concepts were then presented to the judges and other participants:

- Group 1: Quiet Cradle: This design used ultrasonic motors for a silent cradle that incorporates a timer and a vital monitoring function to stop when the baby falls asleep.
- Group 2: Smart Bedding: Addressing difficulties in waking up, this bed moves at a predetermined time to help users rise effortlessly.
- Group 3: Automatic Targeting Device: A solution for dealing with bear incidents, utilizing sensors to detect environmental factors and safely align the device using ultrasonic motors.
- Group 4: Foldable Ultrasonic Barrier: An enhancement to traditional barriers, allowing them to fold for easier storage, with potential use in robotic assistance.
- Group 5: 3D Microwave: This innovative design featured a tray that moves in three dimensions to prevent uneven cooking while minimizing interference with microwaves.

After careful deliberation, the Winner of the Idea-thon was the Quiet Cradle by Group 1. Judges praised its practical approach to addressing parenting challenges and its applicability in sleep-tech markets.

Comments from the judges highlighted the quality of the teams’ ideas and the technology behind Piezo Sonic, emphasizing its potential to bring meaningful products to life.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the experience, appreciating the unique opportunity to stretch their creative muscles while working across various industries.

Future Events and Growing the Idea-thon

Following significant interest, the next Idea-thon is scheduled for December 6, 2025, in Marunouchi, Tokyo, with expectations for increased participation. Piezo Sonic aims to continue broadening the horizons for ultrasonic motors, inspired by flexible and innovative thinking.

For more updates and details about future events, follow Piezo Sonic’s official account on X (@PiezoSonic). With ongoing efforts in this domain, the possibilities for ultrasonic technology seem limitless.