OUR PRODUCTS
Together, We Create What’s Next.
The evolution of technology has made the sharing of ideas and knowledge smoother, making it easier to find collaborators and build new connections. In this environment, we are entering an era where everyone can play a role in the act of creation. As diverse perspectives and talents from different fields come together, the future of manufacturing will become even more exciting.
At the same time, the challenges and needs of our daily lives are becoming increasingly diverse. The traditional division of roles—“manufacturers think, make, and sell; users choose, buy, and use”—was efficient in terms of mass production and distribution. However, to address today’s wide-ranging needs, a new approach is required.
OUR PRODUCTS is a project that explores new possibilities in manufacturing through co-creation with both “makers” and “users,” born out of this very context.
1. Co-creation with Makers
Creating New Value through Collaboration with Makers from Different Fields
If a system is established that allows makers from different fields to customize the exterior and parts of home appliances provided by manufacturers, we can expect a greater diversity of products to emerge.
At FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, we collaborated with woodworkers and forestry professionals from Nishiawakura Village in Okayama Prefecture to explore the customization of home appliances using wood. We also presented these prototypes to local stakeholders and exchanged opinions on their potential and the challenges to realize them.
Through this initiative, we were able to concretely demonstrate new value created by the intersection of wisdom and technology from different fields, not only in customizing exterior designs but also in new expressions that merge home appliances with furniture and in new functionalities brought about by material changes.
Makers’ hubs
Nishiawakura Village
Located in the northeastern part of Okayama Prefecture, bordering Hyogo and Tottori Prefectures. It belongs to the Aida District and stretches along the southern side of the Chugoku Mountains. Approximately 93% of the village's area is covered by forests, most of which are artificial forests of cedar and cypress. However, there is also the precious natural resource of the Wakakusa Natural Forest (Wakabayashi Primeval Forest). The village is also known as a heavy snowfall area.
Through the "Century Forest" project, the village manages and utilizes private forests collectively, and it is also engaged in regional revitalization by producing furniture using forest resources and attracting new residents. These activities contribute to the revitalization of the community.
Co-Creating the Future of Manufacturing
Design, Production Methods, Ideas, and More
There are many makers in this world.
For instance, the delicate designs and material knowledge of traditional crafts may breathe new life into the design of home appliances. The rich texture of lacquer and the elegant decorations of metalwork could elevate appliances to the status of art pieces.
By leveraging the skilled craftsmanship of small factories, we might create a system of small-batch, diverse production that allows individuals to choose the materials, colors, textures, and shapes of parts according to their preferences.
Furthermore, the free-thinking ideas of creators hold the potential to completely redefine the concept of home appliances.
Collaboration with these diverse makers could not only result in beautiful and high-performance products but also serve as a bridge to pass on the spirit of manufacturing to the next generation. We hold great expectations for such a future.
Collaborators
2. Co-creation with Users
Attachments to Solve Potential Challenges, 3D Printing, and Community
By collaborating with manufacturers, users, and partners, we can establish a system for customizing home appliances with attachment parts, enabling us to provide more nuanced solutions for previously overlooked potential issues.
As a first step, we have developed an attachment chip that can be attached to home appliances using a 3D printer. This chip features a textured surface, allowing users to identify the positions of frequently used buttons without relying solely on vision. In this development, we have worked closely with the DEI Design Department at Panasonic Corporation's Design Headquarters, focusing on inclusive design and incorporating feedback from individuals with visual impairments to continually refine both practicality and usability.
Additionally, we plan to make the 3D data for the chip available through the assistive device sharing platform COCRE HUB. Our goal is to create a future where those in need can connect with collaborators and support each other.
Attachment Chips
Development Process of the Attachment Chips
The idea for the attachment chips originated from the concept of three-dimensionalizing the pictograms found on appliance buttons to add tactile feedback. From there, we have repeatedly refined the design through the following inclusive design process, based on perspectives such as usability, safety, and delivery methods.
Towards a Future that Responds to Diverse Voices through Co-Creation with Users
We identify issues and think of ways to solve them togetherwith various people
At FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, we have been collaborating with the DEI Design Division to utilize inclusive design methods to capture the voices of consumers that have previously been overlooked, while simultaneously exploring ways to deliver solutions to those who need them.
As we progressed in our discussions, we deepened our conviction that, through digital fabrication and the power of community, home appliances can transcend the constraints of traditional mass production and address potential living challenges on a one-to-one basis.
The development of this attachment and our efforts to collaborate with the community represent an important first step. Let us face the potential challenges and needs that have not been sufficiently addressed so far, and work together to realize a future where diverse individuals can collaboratively find solutions.
Collaborators