Research and development in collaboration with private sectors: Applications of electronics and computer technology in the fields of medical science, ergonomics and assistive technology

Abstract

I have been working as a biomedical and biomechanical engineer in interdisciplinary fields of science in order to better solve urgent problems. In this paper, I'd like to demonstrate research and develop of several products made in collaboration with private sectors. I classified such collaborative approaches into three different categories as follows: 1) university seeds-based type, 2) company needs-based type, and 3) joint development type. As examples of products belonging to categories 1, 2 and 3, a photoelectric measurement system of 6-DOF jaw movements, TRIMETR JKN/1 (Tokyo Shizaisha Inc.), evaluation of swallowing motion of beer (Sapporo Breweries Inc.) and a web-based management and customizing support system of versatile communication aid for persons with communication disorders, VCAN/2, under development with Ginz ado-Net Inc. were demonstrated, respectively.