January 2021 Vol. 19 No. 1

Front-line Researchers

• Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Senior Distinguished Researcher, NTT Basic Research Laboratories

  

  Overview
  As optical communications continue to spread, the results of research on the physical properties of light, electricity, and electrons to achieve high speed and low power consumption of such communications are being put to practical use. New physical phenomena have been discovered and explained by the interaction of the physical properties of mechanical vibration and those of light, electricity, and electrons. We asked Hiroshi Yamaguchi, a senior distinguished researcher at NTT Basic Research Laboratories, who has produced several world-first results in regard to applied technologies in the relatively new research field of nanomechanics, about his research activities and his attitude as a researcher.

Feature Articles: Digital Transformation of Urban Areas Focusing on Mobility

• Optimization of Entire Urban Areas Using IOWN

  

  Abstract
  NTT is advancing the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN), NTT’s vision of creating a smart world using innovative technologies. The aim is to accelerate digital transformation in collaboration with its partners and solve social problems. This article introduces NTT’s activities to optimize urban areas with a focus on mobility and how it can be used to address current social problems. Essentially, this will be done by achieving both individual/local and group/global optimization on the basis of various types of information using IOWN and other technologies and assets of the NTT Group.

• Open MaaS Platform that Supports Multimodal MaaS

  

  Abstract
  The concept of integrating various transport systems is called mobility as a service (MaaS), and one early example started in Finland. This article describes a vision of a public transport-based MaaS platform and NTT’s activities on the platform. Focusing on the mobility of people, the platform integrates several public transport systems and peripheral services to generate traffic flows that are locally and globally optimized end-to-end. The aim is to make a one-stop mobility service possible.

• Activities on Multimodal MaaS to Solve the First Mile/Last Mile Problem—NTT DOCOMO’s Next-generation Mobility Service

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces NTT DOCOMO’s activities that use artificial intelligence and cross-industrial collaboration to achieve sustainable communities and smart cities and solve the first mile/last mile (FM/LM) problem—the shortage of the FM/LM connection to public transportation—that is seriously affecting both resident and tourist transport services.

• Use of 4D Digital Platform^TM for Mobility

  

  Abstract
  While the evolution of various forms of mobility, such as cars, have enriched our lives, there are concerns over deepening social problems related to road transport. This article focuses on the 4D digital platform^TM, which integrates many types of sensing data in real time to enable various predictions, and introduces our current effort and future prospects for solving social problems and creating value related to road transport centering on mobility, particularly regarding a cooperative connected-car platform.

• Technical Developments and Verification of Connected Cars

  

  Abstract
  Toyota Motor Corporation and NTT have agreed to collaborate on the technical development and verification of connected cars by combining Toyota’s automobile-related technology and NTT’s information and communication technology (ICT)-related technology. They have begun a demonstration experiment to check the current degree of completion of the required technical development. This article presents an overview of the ICT platform for connected cars and describes technical issues, technologies used to address these issues, and the demonstration experiment.

• Cooperative Initiatives between Public and Private Sectors on Connected Cars and Creation of a Traffic-environment Data Portal

  

  Abstract
  NTT DATA is developing various services in the automotive field. Among its endeavors is an initiative that uses the government’s promotional policies to build a social infrastructure through cooperation between the private and public sectors. This article presents NTT DATA’s activities to create a traffic-environment data portal, which collects data on traffic environments and matches service providers with data providers. It also describes NTT DATA’s activities and initiatives on the connected-car data platform conducted in collaboration with NTT Network Technology Laboratories and NTT Communications.

• Data-driven and Optimized Smart Cities Using Urban DTC

  

  Abstract
  Urban development assisted by information and communication technology has been attracting attention. For such development, it is necessary to promote, for example, advanced data usage, adapt to post-COVID-19 changes in lifestyle, and proactively prepare for diverse and fragmented lifestyles. This article describes NTT’s efforts to create new value through urban Digital Twin Computing, which is based on the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN).

Feature Articles: Smart Infrastructure Facility Management

• Developing Smart Infrastructure Platform Based on the Smart Infra Business Concept

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces the Smart Infra Business Concept promoted by NTT Infrastructure Network Corporation (NTT InfraNet) for using information and communication technology to smartly implement maintenance and management work related to the telecommunication infrastructure facilities (such as utility poles and manholes) of the NTT Group. This concept is not limited to the NTT Group’s digital transformation but also forms the basis of the Smart Infra Platform to be implemented to solve problems faced by social-infrastructure companies. Three use cases for using the Smart Infra Platform are also introduced.

• High-precision Management of 3D Location Information of Underground Facilities by Using High-precision 3D Geospatial Information

  

  Abstract
  By enabling the management of underground facilities with high-precision three-dimensional (3D) location information, the Smart Infra Platform was developed by NTT Infrastructure Network Corporation (NTT InfraNet) to improve the efficiency of facility-management operations, such as improving the efficiency of inquiries about facilities and reducing the number of on-site observations during construction. However, most underground facilities are managed with drawings created during the design of the facilities; thus, facility-location information is not provided. To provide geospatial information for underground facilities, it is necessary to create high-precision 3D geospatial information that represents the real world with high precision then identify the location of the underground facilities and give accurate 3D location coordinates.

• Triple I+P: A GIS Platform for Advanced Geospatial Data Management

  

  Abstract
  NTT Infrastructure Network Corporation (NTT InfraNet) centrally manages an enormous amount of telecommunication infrastructure owned by the NTT Group. Accordingly, we have developed proprietary middleware that controls various open-source software for managing the location and attribute information about infrastructure facilities and built a geographic information system platform called Triple I+P (Infrastructure, IT, Innovation Platform). Triple I+P enables users to freely set, for example, drawing settings, data input and output, and combinations of databases and tables without having to carry out programming. By constructing and using a facility database based on Triple I+P, we are promoting digital transformation of facility-management operations inside and outside the company. This article introduces technologies for supporting Triple I+P and some of its use cases.

• Evolving MMS from 3D Measurement of Road Area to Facility Inspection—Diagnosing Wear in Millimeters and Deterioration in Terms of Rust, Stains, and Cracks

  

  Abstract
  A mobile mapping system (MMS) measures surrounding structures (including roads) in three dimensions and creates a database based on the obtained information. Measurement equipment mounted on a vehicle mainly consists of devices for measuring the position of the vehicle and measuring around the vehicle three-dimensionally (laser devices are the mainstream). Efforts by NTT Infrastructure Network Corporation (NTT InfraNet) to address issues concerning an MMS are introduced in this article.

Global Standardization Activities

• Standardization Activities on Future Networks in ITU-T SG13

  

  Abstract
  ITU-T SG13 is one of the study groups of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunication Union, which is responsible for developing the concept of Future Networks. Its technical area includes, but not limited to, network slicing, machine learning, and quantum key distribution. This article introduces the history of Future Networks studies and recent topics.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

• External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings