The emerging ubiquitous computing technologies are bound to affect our lives profoundly. Some people tend to think of ubiquitous technologies only in terms of utility and convenience, but the true value of these emergent technologies lies in their potential to help us see what mankind has hitherto not been able to see.

The ubiquitous network I envision consists of technologies that empower individuals and organizations in our never-ending quest for more knowledge and insight. Such a network will trigger a qualitative change in the way we live and work. We will be utilizing data that are currently not being put to productive use. Our own vision and insight will dictate when, where, and how we retrieve and use information. Devices will be connected to each other and help us see more, while maintaining our social infrastructure with a high degree of autonomy. Rich, frequent, and dynamic interaction among heterogeneous elements is a pre-requisite for any good synthesis, and the emerging ubiquitous network has the potential to accelerate such productive syntheses throughout our society.

05-02-04 16:00Since its foundation in 1915, Yokogawa has held one core mission close to its heart: we are here to contribute to our society through broad-ranging activities in the areas of measurement, control, and information. The emerging ubiquitous network signifies the long-awaited opportunity for us to combine the three -- measurement, control, and information -- and to help usher in the new era of ubiquitous value creation. As Chief Technology Officer, it is my dream and passion to bring forth innovative solutions that further the cause of the ubiquitous value creation network.

In order to support the emerging ubiquitous network, my division is focusing with an unwavering commitment on R&D initiatives that will achieve innovations in the following areas:

• Optical network devices
• IPv6 devices and software
• Network security solutions
• New sensing technologies
• Advanced control technologies
• Autonomous control platforms
• Information management architecture and middleware solutions

These and other initiatives that we are undertaking underline our commitment to helping overcome the technical challenges to innovators around the world who share the same dream and passion for a society that will be connected by a ubiquitous value creation network.

The society that we envision will rely on a robust communications backbone, which in turn will require advanced testers and devices. Safeguarding the network from accidents and cyber-terrorism will be a must, calling for advanced network security solutions. To unleash the true potential for syntheses and value creation, this society will demand richer and more varied information that will be supplied by the new sensing technologies. Bringing it all together will always be a human process, but this society will be armed with tools and mechanisms that will help people overcome the barriers of time and space.

Yes, we still have a long way to go. But these are challenges that no self-respecting Yokogawa engineer can pass up. By the time Yokogawa celebrates its first centennial, we want to witness this society becoming a reality. We want to look back and feel that Yokogawa has been instrumental in bringing to life a global, ubiquitous, and self-evolving value creation network. That is my dream and the common goal of the Yokogawa R&D Division. We dearly hope our dream has a lot in common with your vision. Let us all be vigilant about our future!