Innovation in Japan

New ideas create better quality of life and wealth

Japan has grown big and conservative.  The once darling of innovation and copy cats has become staid, slow and complacent.

Banks support only conservative, big businesses. Gone were its support for entrepreneurs in the likes of Akio Morita and Konosuke Matsushita

However NHK reports some interesting changes:

1. Moonlighting is now encouraged so that employees can submit innovative ideas.

2.  Special clothes for breastfeeding mom. There is a company and has been around for 20 years specializing only on such clothing

Many business opportunities coming from buying a pre need company

New ideas create better quality of life and wealth

This post is in the process, and final stages of buying of a pre need company for memorial services.

I can see this as a platform for other insurance products:

1.  CP insurance like Asurion.  The subscription is only $9.99 per month and covers:  data protection, phone replacement within 24 hours.   The remanufacturer is in the Philippines.  The tech support is nothing compared to the unexpended revenues from 120 million subscribers. There can be a repeat in PHL and other Asian, African countries

2.  Micro insurance.  There are only 29% of the Filipinos covered.  There is business at the bottom of the pyramid

NU10 #4 by Rosalyn P. Donato

NU10 #4 MOBILE PET GROOMING SERVICE by Rosalyn P. Donato

The Background

Pet related businesses have flourished in the last few decades as more and more Filipinos are spending for their beloved pets, especially dogs. Pet grooming services are usually in stand alone locations or are in commercial establishments in which pet owners should take time out to bring his/her pet. With the current traffic situations, this chore can oftentimes, be a hassle.  For those pet owners who are busy with work or other activities, a mobile pet grooming service will offer great convenience. 

How the Innovation will work 

A mobile van or truck much like a food truck equipped with grooming facilities and manned by skilled groomers will schedule visits to the different subdivisions/villages/barangays. The van will park in a designated space inside the village premises for easy access and homeowners/residents who have pets can just bring in their pets for grooming on scheduled days in their village. They don't need to go out of their villages because the groomers will come to them! 

Gains from the Innovation

Convenience of pet owners will be the biggest benefit from this mobile pet grooming service. Pet owners can avoid the hassle of traffic in bringing their pets to the groomers and will appreciate the time and effort saved. The mobile service can also offer other products related to pet ownership to the pet owners' doorsteps so to speak. 

Implementation of the Innovation

A mobile van or truck equipped with water and drainage system manned by skilled pet groomers who will also drive the van to the appointed villages/barangays. The mobile pet groomers will coordinate with pet owners in advance for the schedule of grooming services in their respective areas. The schedule will be announced through email, text messages or announcement in all media platforms to create awareness. This will facilitate the scheduling of the grooming of the pets. The van will have a rotating schedule in the different areas every month in time for the grooming of pets. The mobile groomers may go on a second run in a particular area upon request.  4

NU 10 #3 by Rosalyn P. Donato (appointment apps)

NU 10 #3 CLINIC APPOINTMENT APP by Rosalyn P. Donato

The Background:

Setting an appointment for a medical consultation is always a hassle and could be time consuming especially if one is trying to call the trunk line of the hospital. In this era of connectivity through the different media platforms, developing an appointment scheduler application will prove to be very convenient for both patients and doctors. Both can manage their time well thereby promoting efficiency in the delivery of service making both parties happy.

How the Innovation will work: 

A company will solicit the participation of the doctors who wish to be included in the data base of the app. Doctors should supply all the relevant data to their medical practice especially real time appointment schedule. Once an app is developed and offered free of service through the IOS and Android operating systems of the different gadgets, patients or relatives can access the online services of the different doctors enrolled in the application.

Gains from the Innovation:

Having an app in one's gadget will facilitate the setting of a medical appointment schedule to one's doctor through the fingertips so to speak. It may seem a small gesture but it gives convenience to both patients and doctors because time can be managed well for both of them. The app will feature the announcement of doctors' unavailability on certain dates due to conferences and other scheduled activities, thereby avoiding unnecessary travels by patients to the clinic saving time and money.  Additionally, the app will also be a marketing opportunity for doctors to create awareness of his medical practice. Efficiency in the delivery of service will be the most important benefit and it can in one way or another alleviate the suffering of the patients.

Implementation of the Innovation: 

Doctors will be encouraged to enroll in the database of a particular managing company that hosts the app with a minimal membership fee. Relevant information about the doctor especially the real time clinic appointment scheduler can be accessed through the app. The host server will link up the doctors' system to the app so that it will be real time. Initial information of the patient can already be filled up when setting the appointment online so that by the time the patient gets to the clinic, he/she is ready to be seen by the doctor minimizing waiting time. Overall, this system creates efficiency of service.    4

NU10 #5 "Pasa-Charge"by Rosalyn P. Donato

NU 10 #5 "Pasa-Charge" using a cellphone case by Rosalyn P. Donato

The Background

With a single gadget performing different functions, the smart phone has become indispensable and its performance will all depend on its battery life. How many times have we found ourselves in situations wherein our phone is " low batt " because we surfed and downloaded so much and then, we cannot make that important phone call?!! Worse, we brought our charger but no sockets nor USB ports that would allow us to charge.  The charged cellphone case can save the day! Now, not only load can be shared but the battery charge as well.

How the Innovation will work

A cellphone case that can charge when used in another phone of the same brand and/or configuration without the cords. In this way, charge can be " passed "on to someone whose phone is " low batt " . 

Gains from the Innovation

Faced with a situation when one's phone is  " low batt ", a friend or a person nearby who has the same phone or at least compatible with, can actually  "share" the charge just by using the latter's cell phone case to extend the battery life. 

Implementation of the Innovation

The cell phone case will be designed as a charger that once a phone is detected to have low battery charge level it will automatically start charging. An industrial designer can develop a cell phone case that contains the charging mechanism that is light and thin enough. The case should be pre-charged like a power bank but does not have the cords but rather it has a special sensor that once it comes in contact with the corresponding terminal of the cell phone, it will start charging. In this way, charge can be shared by people using the same type of smart phones.  (via induction?)

Nu 10 (all of them) by - KIMBERLY JOY SEMON

NU10 - ENTREPRENEURIAL

H02 – MBAH

1.       NU1- Wheeled shoe

The background:

I am used in walking around anywhere as a Baguio girl. When we relocated here in Metro Manila, my feet itches to walk as to what I was used to. Though the heat and humidity is intolerable at times, there were window periods when time for walking is tolerable and that is usually in the afternoons. When I got employed at Makati Medical Center, traffic and commuting to and from work consumes too much time (1hour, 30 mins one way) so I mapped the best route for walking towards home (distance: 6.7kms, best time 47mins brisk walking).

How the innovation works

To add speed, make it less tiring and relaxed, I was thinking of a pair of shoe with hidden wheels controlled by a remote control made of light materials. I could just press the button of the remote control of my shoes for the wheels to come out and wheel me on my way home. It has a controllable speed and stop button. The wheels could be patterned like those of an airplane, it folds in and out.

What could be gained

The benefits will be promotion of good health through exercise (walk and wheel) and decrease emission of air pollutants. Most of all it helps ease traffic if there will be more users.

Who can use/implement this innovation

Anybody can use this shoe. There has been shoe for kids that has been developed similar to this idea but done manually.

2.       NU2 – Laboratory Heating chamber

The background

I work in a clinical / research laboratory. We use a water bath to thaw, heat up reagents to different temperatures, incubate biological materials, etc. We use distilled water with varying volume and has to be changed for every use to prevent contamination of materials. We also have to improvise weights to make our samples/reagents float or sink. For the next user of the water bath, the person have to wait for the temperature to increase or decrease depending on required temperature (30 mins to heat up to 37 degrees celcius). Aside from the varying temperatures needed, a certain percentage of humidity is required in order not to dry up reagents or biological samples.

How the innovation works

 I was thinking of an equipment, a heating chamber with humidity functions,  that is capable of heating up without the use of water. It will have a controllable temperature. It could heat up in seconds based on set temperatures and cool down in seconds too to make turnaround time faster which will be able to do all of the above. The equipment should be adoptable to any container in any shape, e.g. blood bags, cryo-vials, bottles, etc.

What could be gained

With this equipment, the laboratory would be  able to decrease carrying cost (distilled water), shorten turnaround time, be environment friendly due to less water consumption, increase efficiency and quality ( addresses sterility issues). 

Who can use/implement this innovation

Research and clinical laboratories. There are growing number of laboratories world wide who have a wide range of use for this equipment. Biomedical engineers could design this kind of equipment to market.

3.       NU3 – Laboratory Heating chamber

A spin off from item 2, I would also like to consider a water bath that can  recycle the water inside it. The water passes thru a filtration sytem built in the water bath, also with a built in pump to return filtered water inside the waterbath. It will have an interface for different program setup. Capable of quick heating and cooling system. It will have holders adoptable to different size and shape of containers.

4.       NU4 – Menu Order Tablet

The background

When dining in a restaurant these are the scenarios that I usually observe:

·         It takes time for a waiter to come and take your order because all of the waiters are busy taking someone else order.

·         You have to catch the attention of the waiter to get your order which takes a lot of hand signaling especially during peak hours.

·         The waiter is hovering over me while I am deciding on what meal to eat which pressures me to decide right away.

·         Not all diners have a waiter that will tell you what their special or best seller is and only a few will suggest which meals is best to order.

·         You have to keep on getting the menu if additional orders is to be made especially for desserts.

    How the innovation works

    With these scenarios I've thought of a tablet that can be pulled out from every table of a diner with an apps where ordering will be done. There will be no need for a waiter to take the orders but it will be through the tablet. The customer will be able to choose from a menu, there will be a remarks field for a particular customer instruction regarding menu ordered (e.g. "not spicy please"), a price and time estimate of delivery of food will be seen on the screen. For additional orders, there will be a field on the tablet that can be selected to add to the order. When the customer is ready to pay the bill, then a field from the screen can be selected for final bill and mode of payment. The apps could even add a short customer survey questionnaire to help the restaurant improve its service.           

What could be gained

The added technology can speed up service, hastens turnaround time, making more table available for diners. This could increase revenue for the restaurant.

Who can use/implement this innovation

Restaurants/diners who want to increase their revenue and improve their services can use this technology. Customers who value time and wants a more relax environment especially during peak hours of dining will enjoy going to these restaurants.    4

5.       NU – 5 Car Umbrella

The background

Makati Medical Center's weakness is its ample parking space. Employees are not allowed to park within the covered parking area of the hospital. So employees scramble for outdoor parking within the vicinity. I have observed that in these open parking areas, the first ones that are filled up are areas which are shaded for obvious reasons but nevertheless sooner or later within the day the cars in these open parking areas will be exposed to the scorching heat of the sun.

How the innovation works

I was thinking about a car accessory (mechanical device) that can be placed on the middle of the roof of the car. A switch mechanism releases a canvas cloth supported with wires. Then when pulled out, it extends till the front bumper and the other half extends to the back bumper.

What could be gained

It will be a relief for car owners to have a cooler temperature inside and sun protected vehicles could extend the life of the shell and interior of the car.

Who can use/implement this innovation

Car owners and car accessory innovators.  3

6.       NU –  6 Umbrella raincoat

The background

The Philippines has only two seasons, rainy and summer seasons and when it rain it pours. As a commuter, I do not have the luxury of being dry from home to work or vise versa. A raincoat is not enough to keep you dry and it practically covers the head but messes up my hair, and does not fully keep my face shielded from the rain.

How the innovation works

 The raincoat umbrella in mind is something that works as one. Once you open the umbrella a raincoat fall from the inside but is attached to the umbrella. It will look like a wide brimmed hat with an attached raincoat from the back. It will cover the user from head down. The umbrella is worn like a hat with an elastic attachment to the raincoat for easy movement.

What could be gained

The raincoat umbrella will totally cover the user from head down. It gives more protection because of the umbrella top.

Who can use/implement this innovation

Anybody who wants to be drier during a stormy day. Motorcycle drivers can use it as toppers.   4

7.       NU – 7 Family Friend Tracker Apps (FF Tracker)

The background

As a parent, I can't help worry when my kids stay out late at night, travel elsewhere, or even go out during daytime. I always end up calling them every minute once they are on their way home. This happens either my kids commute or they drive the family car. As an adult, there are also occasions when you feel unsafe, sending a message to family or friends of the plate number of the cab I am on board to is not enough.

How the innovation works

This will be a smart phone apps that will track a person. It will be like an Uber apps that you will be able to see live where your family member or friend is while on commute. You have to request to track the person and once the person accepts, it will show a map and a pin to show your current location and the location of the person you are tracking.  The pin will move live while on commute.

What could be gained

This will give peace of mind especially for parents waiting at home for their kids to come home safe and sound.

Who can use/implement this innovation  4

Anybody for safety reasons.

8.       NU – 8 Canvas shoe Cleaner

The background

I love to wear white canvas shoes but the problem is it gets soiled easily even for short walks. I only have a pair of this sneaker canvas that is why when I wash it I have to wait for it to dry which takes 2 days. I want a shoe cleaner that cleans the without any downtime, meaning once the shoe cleaner is applied, the shoe can be worn right away.

How the innovation works

The material will be made of a solvent packed in a tube. The solvent once applied will dissolve the dirt on the shoe, then it could be brushed off and the shoe can be worn again.

What could be gained

This will save washing and drying time. I could wear my clean shoe anytime anywhere. It helps conserve water. Saves time for washing. It will also preserve the life of my sneakers because of less exposure to water and other detergents.

Who can use/implement this innovation

Anybody who loves to wear clean light colored canvas shoe anytime. 4

9.       NU – 9 Universal adapter plug

The background

Currently there are 15 types of electrical outlet plugs in use today around the world [1]. For every country there is a particular type of outlet being used. When we check in in a hotel, it is the hotel who provides an electrical adaptor for our electrical gadgets but if we stay with relatives in their homes they don't usually have adaptors for my kind of gadget. I would like to have an adaptor plug that can conform to any of the different   types of electrical outlet plug.  

How the innovation works

The adaptor plug will have 2 flat pins that could be rotated in directions needed for a specific outlet. There will be an extra pin that is foldable and can be rotated too. It is folded when 2 pins are only needed and unfolds when 3 pins are needed.  

What could be gained

This adaptor plug will be able to conform to any kind of outlet. It will save the user the need to buy an adaptor when traveling to other countries.

Who can use/implement this innovation

People who travels a lot with any gadget needing electrical input.  4

10.   NU – 10 Earphone and loud speakers, 2 in 1

The background

Earphones are worn by most of us who have mobile phones. We use it to create less noise and respect for others. What if these earphones will have a dual function, an earphone and a loud speaker?

How the innovation works

The earphone will have an option button that converts it to a loud speaker but automatically switches to earphone mode when not in use. This could come with a blue tooth function to make it a wireless gadget.

What could be gained

It will save the need for a loud speaker specially when listening to radio news reports and watching video clips with the use of cellphones, tablets or computers. It will give the listener quality sound. It could be placed anywhere in a room without the need for space due to its size.

Who can use/implement this innovation

Anyone who have small spaces and who loves to hear quality sound.  4

References:

[1] http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

 Kimberly Joy R. Semon

NU10 #2 by Rosalyn P. Donato

NU10 by Rosalyn P. Donato

2.  TREE AS A GIFT

The Background

For very obvious reasons, the denuded forest and mountains contributed to the recent massive flooding not only of water but of mud in Central Luzon. It was clearly an environmental disaster causing loss of lives and massive destruction of properties largely due to the abuse of our natural resources. And if we do not act now, future disasters will be much more grave and will claim more lives and properties. 

Gift giving is one of the expressions on how we show we care or how we love another person. Material things are the usual tokens that we give to celebrants or to people whom we care for. And eventually, they all end up as garbage dumped into the earth. And we all know, these eventually harm everyone. As an alternative choice, what could be more meaningful than "giving a tree" as a gift? Planting a tree in one's honor will be a wonderful gift not only to a loved one but to mother earth. It will benefit not only the gift receiver but more people and the future generations by doing so.

How the innovation will work:

A tree seedling will be bought as a "gift" from the organization that will do the tree planting. Each seedling comes with a certificate and a name tag same as the one which will be used as a tree marker. All of these will be enclosed in a beautiful card to be given as a proof of the gift. Written in the gift card is the information and story about the project and its location. The tree marker made of metal or stainless steel plate will bear the name of the gift receiver so that the latter will know that a tree will be planted in his/her honor.

Gains from the Innovation:

We need not explain further the benefits of planting more trees everywhere especially in the denuded mountains. They will produce more oxygen, reduce carbon footprint and prevent soil erosion. Tree planting is an overall winner that protects the degradation of our environment.

Implementation of the Innovation:

When a tree seedling with the beautiful gift card is bought from the organization, the schedule of the tree planting activity will be indicated. It will be an event which may or may not be coincided with the local government's tourism office on special festivals to draw more publicity. There will be an option for the gift receiver to go to the tree planting activity or not. If he chooses not to, he can have the option to go to the location at his convenient time to check on his tree. The tree will have the marker bearing the name of the person honored. Each tree will be planted in a chosen denuded area which needs reforestation. This area will be contracted for tree planting. Locals can be hired to care for the planted trees until they become viable and they will grow with minimal maintenance. By giving regular employment to the locals, they will be discouraged from engaging into illegal logging and kaingin farming. Money derived from the sales can be used to buy or grow more seedlings, wages of the tree maintainer and sustain the operations.  4