New research trends in artifactology

— Modeling of individuals and socialization technology —

Abstract

The aim of Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), the University of Tokyo, is to solve problems related to artifactology. The center has now entered its third stage. A new approach in the problem-solving process has been proposed in this paper. The scenario for problem solving starts by establishing a problem using the concept of co-creation. Next, models related to artifacts are constructed by integrating the methods used in experimental economics and techniques of experimental psychology into computational science, data analysis, and simulation technology. Modeling of individuals is realized by focusing on three processes: recognition of individuals, activities of individuals based on recognized results, and value construction of individuals. This proposal of RACE includes the socio-technical viewpoint of multi-stakeholders and the human-centered viewpoint of modeling of individuals. Several new research topics are presented, including a novel modeling methodology for product service systems (PSS).