Ricoh investigates innovative ways for infrastructure
November 19, 2024
Ricoh completes feasibility study to digitalise work sites in the Philippines lacking electrification.
Ricoh Company, Ltd. announced it has completed its feasibility study that aims to digitalise work sites in the Philippines lacking electrification, which was selected for the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) Small and Medium Enterprises and SDGs Business Support Project in FY2020 and the project has moved into the proof-of-concept phase on site, in partnership with PFU Limited, a Ricoh Group company.
The feasibility study examined the business potential of providing a one-stop package that uses a small-scale hydroelectric power generation system (3D-pico hydroelectric power generation) with uniquely shaped wings made using a 3D printer to supply electricity in areas of the Philippines that are not electrified or have insufficient electricity, and promotes digital ways of working for people engaged in education and agriculture. Proposed by WEeeT-CAM, an internal team of TRIBUS, Ricoh’s accelerator program for new business creation, this project was selected by JICA in 2020 and now has been completed as of 2024.
As a result of this study, the project has selected multiple educational and agricultural sites in the Philippines to demonstrate the feasibility. In particular, this proof-of-concept phase done in cooperation with PFU, using a Ricoh scanner has shown the potential of building win-win business models by promoting digital transformation locally in an emerging nation through the digitalization of parts of work routines often done manually in order to create more time to focus on creative tasks. In the future, Ricoh will consider providing packages with the 3D-pico hydroelectric power generation as LIFE PARTS service while identifying locally specific challenges and learning regional differences.
Educational and agricultural sites in the Philippines are struggling to improve productivity and increase revenue due to the scarce existence of the middle class despite the increasing population. Ricoh will promote new innovations for maximising fulfilment through work for local people through digital services while also contributing to achieving the SDGs through its businesses.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Digitalisation Education Projects Proof Of Concept Ricoh
