We have developed an evaluation system of moving images by estimating temporal variations of discomfort levels of visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) caused by the images. The system is useful for making image producers understand the importance of reducing the possibility of VIMS. This activity will provide an environment that allows people to use moving images at ease in a variety of fields, such as entertainment, education and medical services. The system was developed by the collaborative research of image analysis, image producing and measurements of biomedical effects to apply the basic characteristics of VIMS for evaluating general images.

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Data centers are important infrastructure of information and communication technology (ICT). Reducing electric-power consumption and the CO₂ emissions at the centers are urgent issues from the viewpoint of global environmental concerns. Improvement of efficiency within a single data center, however, cannot assure significant reduction of CO₂ emissions. Hence we propose the concept of “strategic system design”, which optimizes system design by combining different stake-holders not only from the viewpoint of the “physical system” but also from that of the “value system”. As an example, a system in which greenhouse cultivation farms reuse emitted heat at data centers was considered from both the physical side and the value side. The complex system designed by such a strategic system design idea was found to be effective in reducing CO₂ emissions compared with a single isolated system, and was clarified to be an excellent value system.

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This paper describes a methodology for decomposing a system specification into component specifications and interface specifications whose cooperative behavior is consistent with each component. The methodology is constructed by a bridge method of combining architectural design method in systems engineering standards and model checking, which have already been confirmed to be effective in developing systems. As a trial, the methodology was applied to develop an industrial robot system. The result demonstrates that the proposed methodology is effective for complex industrial systems.

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The Cyber Assist project was initiated in 2000, and its R&D was conducted at Cyber Assist Research Center of AIST from 2001 to 2005. This project was a leading activity followed by ubiquitous computing and service engineering in Japan as well as one of the foresighted projects in the world. It should be highly evaluated even in the present time. The project had its focus on a human-centered information system that provides services in the physical world. This article rebuilds the goals and activities of the research center on the basis of documents produced then, and provides future research directions.

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High performance genetic analysis is an integration of various inter-correlated technologies. Of all the technologies, chemical reagents are indispensible for modifying DNA or RNA, yet the total performance of genetic analysis is sometimes limited by the insufficient capability of reagents. We have developed novel chemical reagents to increase accuracy and sensitivity in genetic analysis. We describe the development process from obtaining the original idea to marketing of the products and discuss important factors in the process.

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We have been developing wireless sensor nodes for monitoring animal health and networks that care animal groups. “Animal Watch Sensors” - miniaturized, light, flexible and maintenance-free sensor nodes, will be utilized for the early detection of avian influenza outbreaks in poultry farms to defend human beings from an influenza pandemic. Key technologies to realize the sensor network system are ultra low power “event-driven” sensor nodes and a direct-conversion type receiver system for ultra short message communication. These technologies are developed by the integration of MEMS technology, life science and information technology.

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[in Japanese]

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