NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) is cooperating with the National University Corporation Osaka University (hereafter, Osaka University) and a joint research partnership as part of the collaboration between industry, government, association and academia “Joint Research for Creating Mechanisms Regarding Disaster Prevention Monitoring and Tourism thorough Use of IT (hereafter, joint research).” As part of a demonstration test for this joint research, three units of the “independent power supply network Mimamori Robokun III” that utilize the “NTN Hybrid Street Light” were installed in Suita Campus of Osaka University.
Osaka University and the joint research partnership are conducting joint research into coordinating the “Disaster Relief Map,” the largest disaster rescue/prevention map in Japan developed by the Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, with “Mimamori Robokun III” Wi-Fi communication infrastructure equipped with a monitoring camera developed by the “National Activity Support Network for Local Municipalities,” a non-profit organization. NTN is supplying the “NTN Hybrid Street Light” for “Mimamori Robokun III.”
The “NTN Hybrid Street Light” generates power from two forms of natural energy, wind and solar light, to charge batteries and power LED lights that turn on automatically at night. It provides high-efficiency power generation with its vertical axis wind turbine that generates power from wind blowing from any direction, and operates very quietly. It operates with the generated power, and can be used as an emergency power source in disaster situations. “Mimamori Robokun III” is equipped with a security camera, Wi-Fi communication device and emergency power source, and together with the “NTN Hybrid Street Light,” can be utilized monitoring functions for children in local communities, as well as Wi-Fi communication in disaster situations.
The experimental devices installed in Osaka University will be used in upcoming research to test the connection between “Mimamori Robokun III” and “Disaster Relief Map,” to verify the amount of power generation and storage, and run operating tests of the Wi-Fi communication device. Automatic connection tests are also planned, where one of the three “Mimamori Robokun III” units will be shut down and taken offline as part of an experiment simulating a disaster-hit region.
NTN is participating in the joint research with the aim of building information infrastructure related to disaster prevention and relief efforts as part of this joint research, and will utilize the technology acquired during research and development of bearings and related products to contribute to the local community by ensuring a safe and secure society.