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NEWSLETTER- the JAPANALYZER

October 2002

Market Snapshot - Japan
Robotic Japan

Each month the Japanalyzer takes you inside one of Japan’s IT industries or topics- showing you who’s who and where the market is heading. This month we focus on the robot industry, which has gained tremendous popularity in recent years because of the fascinating new entertainment models that have emerged. The Japanese obsession with robots has deep cultural and business roots: from the 1950’s emergence of Atom Boy and Ironman in Japanese comic books to the 1970’s birth of the massive industrial robot industry. In the late 90’s, robots in Japan started showing the basics of artificial intelligence, capable of not only entertaining consumers but also protecting them and assisting in everyday life. 2002 promises to be a year recognized for some truly impressive products developed in Japan but marketed worldwide.

Fujitsu is the latest company to impress analysts with its Maron-1, a home management robot that can be controlled via wireless phone. The Maron-1 has the ability to interact with and operate domestic appliances and is fully mobile (it can move all over the house and avoid obstacles). An important feature is that it can act as an intruder alarm by detecting people in the house and calling its owner’s cell phone. The robot has two camera capable eyes so it can also take pictures and send them to a mobile phone. The robot is fully capable of interfacing with a PC and weighs just 5kg. It runs for about 12 hours on a rechargeable battery. The Maron-1 is being demonstrated at the WPC Expo in Tokyo this month- a retail sale date has yet to be announced.

The Maron-1 is not the only “practical-use” robot with promise. NTT and Takara have developed a “house-sitting” robot called the FII-RII that like the Maron-1, is operable from a wireless phone. The FII-RII interacts with VCRs and other appliances via infrared rays emitted from its arms and midsection. The FII-RII is already on sale for approximately $200. Secom’s cash-transport robot is a safe-equipped, self-propelled robot that moves at a maximum speed of 4kph on a crawler mechanism that allows it to travel up and down stairs, and has roughly 10 sensors that enable it to avoid obstacles. On-board security equipment includes a camera that transmits images in real time to monitors at a security control center, and sirens as well as smoke emissions can be activated by security personnel in an emergency. In addition, to counter criminals, the robot can emit electric shocks or eject a net.

Robots have become extremely popular in Tokyo as toys because having pets in such a space-constrained city is too difficult. Sony’s Aibo has improved greatly: it can now recharge itself, take pictures, and connect to a wireless LAN. Aibo was so popular when it first debuted that numerous other companies have replicated the “robot dog” theme. Sega’s Poochi is essentially a more affordable Aibo. Sega also makes the C-bot, a conversational humanoid robot that asks questions and can send e-mails. C-bot maintains a framework similar to a biorhythm- it sleeps at night and when its owner is not home. Humanoid robots got a lot press when Honda unveiled its Asimo. Asimo is an upright walking robot that is available via “lease” from Honda.

The latest in robot technology goes beyond just the entertaining and practical. Hitachi has developed a robot that can be used in brain surgery. Shinshu University recently announced the successful removal of a brain tumor from a patient using this medical robot. Previous robots have been used for other surgeries but this apparently the first time one was used on the brain. It’s exciting to think what might be next.

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This Month's Bridge Builder
Featuring the real voice of IT across the Pacific

October, 2002

Strength from differences
Mr. Mark Rosen, President, Infogate and Ms. Yuki Rosen, Vice President, Infogate

Multicultural companies in Silicon Valley are not unusual. It is also not unusual to see Japanese Managers working side by side with Americans to service international customers. However, it is not often that such companies can function in a truly bilingual, bicultural fashion, with Japanese. Infogate, a Bay Area based provider of Internet and technology solutions, is a company which fits this unique mold. Infogate manages technology with equal ease regardless of whether the client is a Japanese company, an American company, or a Japanese company based in America . This month’s Bridge Builder features the husband and wife team of Mark and Yuki Rosen, founders of Infogate.

Q. Please tell us about InfoGate. How was it started and how did it develop the strength in Japanese clients?

Mark: InfoGate became a reality after deciding that working within a corporate environment that did not recognize or encourage individual creativity or resourcefulness, employees judged by their ethnic, racial or religious origins, or dealing with office politics was too draining. Building on strengths, permitting expression, and respecting an individuals cultural and ethnic background has always been a part of me. I grew up in an area of high ethnic diversity which gave me a very global view of life.

Mark: When I met Yuki in 1991, now my wife and business partner, I was afforded the opportunity to become attuned to Japanese business, literature, movies, and art. It was through our blending of abilities that InfoGate has been able to provide a sincere sense of trust, respect and business expertise.

Yuki: InfoGate is a technology solution provider. We do web development and graphic design, as well as computer desktop support, and the installation and administration of networks. InfoGate supplies technical expertise for clients so they get the maximum return on their investment, increase productivity, and expand their visibility in the marketplace. InfoGate has never missed a deadline or exceeded a contract price.

Q. What's it like having a company with both Japanese and American employees working together side by side (difficulties/benefits)?

Mark & Yuki: It has turned out as expected - a highly rewarding experience. The Japanese employees bring a wonderful and different perspective on design, humor, and relationships. This sets a very high standard for not only project development but in completing projects well before their deadlines. We formed InfoGate to permit differences not to get in the way but for abilities of each to make us the best. Having Japanese spoken as a primary communication language within the Web/Graphic/Collateral department, has never proven to be an issue.

Mark: When meeting with English based clients I normally will take the lead if requested. With Japanese clients my staff ensures that I am etiquette-prepared. It is very refreshing.

Q. How would you describe the difference in dealing with your American versus Japanese clients? Have you noticed any requirements unique to Japanese companies?

Mark. I enjoy personal relationships. Americans tend to have superficial relationships centered on only gain. Questions are constantly asked regarding referrals, and business opportunities. Business cards are thrust at me hoping that I will remember the person. Working with our Japanese clients has brought very rewarding fulfillment. It's a relationship based upon comfort and trust.

Yuki: InfoGate has been referred not only because of our quality of work, and ethics but that InfoGate is constantly demonstrating that it is truly a "valued partner" and not a vendor only supplying services. After our contract commitment is fulfilled our relationships continue. We want our clients to know that they represent more than a revenue stream. I truly believe that InfoGate is more Japanese in nature than American.

Q. How do you see your business evolving? Are there any service offerings you are developing or improving specifically targeted at increasing your Japanese client base?

Mark and Yuki: Today's market place is very challenging. InfoGate understands technology but really understands business. This includes marketing, locating resources for clients, training, managing projects and providing expertise at a level that can be easily understood. There is so much technology developing that it is hard for a company to make choices let alone know what those choices are. We need to be able to better communicate this to clients so they can better use our services. By doing a better job at this our clients would see us as a far greater resource. InfoGate does not want to serve a large number of clients but continue to provide the quality of excellence to those that select us seven days a week and 24 hours a day.

Thank you Mark and Yuki. They can be reached via e-mail at mrosen@info-gate.com and yuki@info-gate.com . For more information regarding Infogate, please take a look at their website at http://www.info-gate.com .

Previous Interviews

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Call Center CRM Demo 2002
November 7-8, 2002 Sunshine City Convention Center Tokyo
An exhibition of equipment and products related to call centers and CRM.

International Broadcast Equipment Expo 2002
November 20-22, 2002 Makuhari Messe Tokyo
An exhibition of Video equipment, broadcast equipment and audio equipment for business use sponsored by Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)..

Linux West
November 27-29, 2002 Mydome Osaka
An exhibition of Hardware, software, SI, services and publications for Linux technology.

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