2016 5th Monthly Tutorial

The 5th monthly tutorial was held at the Komaba Research Center, the University of Tokyo, on September 25th. 27 students participated the tutorial. The program agenda was 2 invited lectures, summary of the Phangan Island summer school, explanation of education material piling using Facebook, briefing of the 1st competency evaluation and student project discussion. 

First, we had Nobuhiro Kishimoto CEO of Magellan Systems Japan, Inc. speak on “Development of Low cost GNSS Receiver for the use of QZSS Correction Message.” He introduced the overview of the company, its main product, research development at St. Petersburg, Moscow and progression of innovative agriculture joint research program with Hokkaido University. Magellan Systems Japan, Inc. was established in 1987 and have developed its enterprise focusing on GNSS ever since. The company’s main product “High precision L1 Multi GNSS RTK Module” is a tightly coupled system of “automatic satellite positioning module” and “Inertial Measurement Unit” which was awarded the 2015 CEATEC AWARD Social Innovation Grand Prize. Without decreasing the performance, the company succeeded in lowering the production cost which was initially around ten million yen. The product is expected to be utilized in future agricultural machines, construction machinery, automatic automobiles, drones and electric chairs which require cm level measurement precision. To expand the market, the company plans to enforce bond among “the Cabinet Office”, “Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries”, “JAXA”, “Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications” and “National Agriculture and Food Research Organization”. The Q&A session was held longer than usual and Mr. Kishimoto spoke of the company’s strength in the global market comparing the company’s product with such commodities like “U-BLOCKS” and the ones sold in Taiwan. Also, he spoke on how his hobby yachting affected his entrepreneurial mind.

Second, we had Toshihiro Obata of Nakasuka/ Funabashi Laboratory of the University of Tokyo lecture “Evolution and Perspective of Space Utilization Environment, propelled by Nano-Satellite Technology and Expansion of National Space Systems.” He covered topics on Japanese and global aerospace systems, main sensors of observation satellites, issues on space system utilization and current situation of small satellite business. The keywords he emphasized were ”Closed  to Open”, ” Offline to Online,” and ”Public to Personal.”

Third, Masahiro Fukuhara CEO of Institute of Global Society summarize the first competency evaluation result. Among 5 traits, “Conscientiousness,” “Extraversion,” “Agreeableness,” “Openness to Experience,” and “Neuroticism,” results showed that G-SPASE participants were strong in “Agreeableness” and “Openness to Experience.” This characteristic also mean that, members “can act” but lack preparation and thoughts before action. Group members can “be good to others” but sometimes they may not function well as group. Hence, Mr. Fukuhara mentioned, more preparation with structural way (critical thinking), leadership and project management are desired among G-SPASE participants.

In the end of October, we plan to have the intermediate review of the student project. Currently, students are preparing for the TED-STYLE presentation for the G EXPO Symposium which would be held on November 25th.

Nobuhiro Kishimoto, Magellan Systems Japan, Inc.

Toshihiro Obata, The University of Tokyo

Masahiro Fukuhara, IGS

Student Project Discussion (1)

Student Project Discussion (2)