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 Naoki Tani, Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Executive General Manager of R&D Innovation Division, NTT DOCOMO
Overview
NTT DOCOMO became a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT at the end of 2020. With the launch of 5G (5th-generation mobile communication system) services, its business environment is undergoing a period of major change. Society is also changing due to the novel-coronavirus pandemic, such as acceleration of digital transformation and spread of remote working. We asked Naoki Tani, executive vice president, chief technology officer, executive general manager of R&D Innovation Division of NTT DOCOMO, about the company’s efforts to address social issues using technology and how he communicates with employees in this period of change.
Front-line Researchers
- Koji Muraki, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Basic Research Laboratories
Overview
Researchers at the Quantum Solid State Physics Research Group of NTT Basic Research Laboratories focus on the many-body and correlation effects caused by the interaction between electrons as well as on quantum-mechanical properties of electrons such as wave nature, superposition state, and spin. By engineering and controlling these properties of electrons using the heterostructure and nanostructure of semiconductors and atomic-layer materials, the group is investigating quantum devices and sensing techniques that cannot be obtained with individual electrons. Such research is expected to enable the development of ultralow-power-consumption devices and highly sensitive sensors. We asked Koji Muraki, a senior distinguished researcher and leader of this group about the progress of his research and the attitude researchers should have.
Feature Articles: NTT R&D Forum 2020 Connect Special Sessions
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 Sports & Live Entertainment Viewing Re-imagined in the Post-coronavirus Era
Abstract
On November 19th, 2020, special session 1 of NTT R&D Forum 2020 Connect was held and live streamed. The session welcomed guests Yuki Ota, president of the Japan Fencing Federation and vice president of the International Fencing Federation and Haruyuki Moroishi, CEO and CCO of IMAGICA EEX Inc. and general producer of IMAGICA GROUP. The author, Shingo Kinoshita, executive research engineer, NTT Service Evolution Laboratories, moderated a discussion on the theme “Sports & Live Entertainment Viewing Re-imagined in the Post-corona Era.” During the session, they discussed the current status and future of sports and live entertainment during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- Challenges of NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories in the Coming Space Millennium
Abstract
On November 20th, 2020, special session 2 of NTT R&D Forum 2020 Connect was held and live streamed. The session welcomed novelist Yuya Takashima, the science fiction consultant for “Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN” and the multitalented entertainer Kaori Manabe as guests. The author, Yuji Maeda, vice president of NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories moderated the session on the theme “Challenges of NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories in the Coming Space Millennium.” Various research challenges tackled by the Laboratories, such as optimal operation technology for fusion reactors, were introduced while referring to the world in which the science-fiction work Gundam is set.
Feature Articles: Media Robotics as the Boundary Connecting Real Space and Cyberspace
- Toward Cyber-physical Interaction for Natural Connection of Real Space and Cyberspace
Abstract
To actualize the concept of IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network), we need a new “environment” for connecting real space and cyberspace that fundamentally changes our lives without needing to be literate in information and communication technology. Also essential is a natural means of incorporating that environment into our daily lives, which is to say a function for natural cyber-physical interaction. The following Feature Articles in this issue introduce the most recent technological trends concerning cyber-physical interaction at the boundary between real space and cyberspace.
- Improving Depth-map Accuracy by Integrating Depth Estimation with Image Segmentation
Abstract
NTT Service Evolution Laboratories is conducting research and development on new media-processing technologies to enable natural interaction by presenting information that influences the visual senses. This article introduces our current research and development of a media-processing technology for improving the accuracy of depth maps by combining depth estimation with image segmentation and a system that uses this technology to generate HiddenStereo (a technology developed by NTT Communication Science Laboratories) images, which enables natural three-dimensional viewing from monocular two-dimensional images.
- Affect-perception Control for Enhancing a Sense of Togetherness for Remote Spectators
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world of sports and entertainment by expanding the audience for spectator-less sports broadcasts and live-event distribution. In addition to the research NTT Service Evolution Laboratories has been conducting on remote transmission and reproduction of sense-of-presence for event venues, we are promoting research on elemental technology for capturing the emotional movements (affect) of remote viewers to provide what we believe is the emotional feedback needed for such viewers to share a sense of togetherness, interactivity, and excitement as spectators.
- Visible-light Planar Lightwave Circuit Technology and Integrated Laser-light-source Module for Smart Glasses
Abstract
NTT Device Technology Laboratories has applied planar lightwave circuit technology, which is used to integrate optical circuits on a planar substrate for optical communication devices, for use in the visible-light domain, enabling the development of dramatically smaller optical systems using all three primary colors of light (RGB: red, green, and blue). We applied this technology to an ultra-compact RGB laser-light-source module that is small enough to be installed on the temples of glasses, making smart glasses feasible.
- Fine-grained Hand-posture Recognition for Natural User-interface Technologies
Abstract
NTT Service Evolution Laboratories is conducting research on user-interface technologies to improve system usability. As part of this research, we are focusing on new input methods that will be an important element of next-generation information devices, and in particular, we are researching hand-posture recognition technology to be used to implement input for glasses-based devices. This article describes initiatives related to this research.
- Information-display Method for Reducing Annoyance by Gaze Guidance
Abstract
We are investigating methods of displaying action information to users of smart glasses and other wearable information devices that are worn daily as they try to attain goals during daily activities. Forcefully presenting information to a user may annoy him/her and discourage him/her from continuing to use the device, but access to information is uncertain if not forced. To solve this problem, we devised a forced-information display method that reduces annoyance yet ensures that information is received by giving the user the feeling that the act of reading was him/her choice. We also evaluated the possible effectiveness of the method.
- Presenting Material Properties with Mid-air Pseudo-haptics
Abstract
With the development of image presentation and behavioral-data-acquisition technologies, interaction between a virtual object and user has become commonplace. This article introduces mid-air pseudo-haptics, a technology to provide haptic perception of material properties to the user when the virtual object is manipulated by the user’s actions. With this technology, the virtual object is deformed by the user’s actions, and the impression of the object’s softness is controlled by its deformation pattern. In the future, we will develop technology to provide richer perceptual material properties to virtual objects.
- Evaluation of Adaptability to Unfamiliar Environments Using Virtual Reality
Abstract
To prevent accidents when the elderly walk or drive a car, it is important to improve their motor functions, but their cognitive ability to adapt to changes in their environment so that they can move appropriately for their activity is also important. We are conducting research to develop technology for evaluating and improving the ability to adapt to the environment while moving. This article introduces initiatives toward such technologies.
Regular Articles
- Increasing Capacity of a Strictly Non-blocking Clos Network Composed of Optical Switches
Abstract
Clos networks are widely used due to their non-blocking property. However, in strictly non-blocking Clos networks composed of ordinary optical switches (switches with equal numbers of input/output ports), we find that a substantial number of ports can remain unused, which decreases their efficiency. This inefficiency comes from the implicit restriction that the two sides of switches have distinct roles, i.e., ports on one side are connected to endpoints (terminals) while those on the other side are linked to switches. Removing this restriction provides greater freedom in constructing a network and can increase capacity without losing the strictly non-blocking property. We propose a new strictly non-blocking network and provide several theorems that address network capacity. Numerical experiments show that the proposed network has up to 30% more capacity compared with a strictly non-blocking Clos network.
Global Standardization Activities
- Recent Standardization Activities in ITU-T on Single-mode Optical Fiber and Space Division Multiplexing Technologies
Abstract
Optical fiber standards have been discussed in the International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Various standards (Recommendations) have been developed based on discussions at Study Group 15 and are revised according to the progress in the optical fiber telecommunication system. In this article, recent standardization activities in ITU-T on single-mode optical fiber (SMF) are described. Also, recent discussion toward standardizing space division multiplexing technologies, which are promising for overcoming the capacity limit of SMF, is introduced.
Short Reports
External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings
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