Shogo Sekizawa
(joined in 2007)
Group Manager,
Group No.7,
IVI System Development Dept.,
Software PF Development Div.
Software that will be key to the advancement of automobiles in the future
Creating a gimmick to encourage more people to be mobile
Connected world that links people and cars
I majored in electromechanical engineering in college. When I was job hunting, I was interested in finding work in the automobile industry, due in part to the fact that at the university lab we developed a driving support system jointly with Toyota. However, at the time, the image of an automobile was more strongly associated with machinery as opposed electronic technology. Despite this, I believed that a time would come when software would play a more significant role in automobiles. I was involved in various development projects, including a wire harness to route cables for the electronic infrastructure of a vehicle. A turning point for me came five years ago. I participated in the development of a concept car that used AI to enable communication between the car and driver. I realized that we had advanced to the point where people and automobiles could be connected by using software.
At present, I am working as the group leader for a User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) development project for use in the cockpit area to provide various data to the driver. A variety of information can be obtained from the instrument panel in automobiles nowadays. In my team, we implement agile development while listening to the real opinions of users with the goal of making the UI easier to use. Another development theme we are pursuing is an interface that can be operated intuitively or voice activation of in-car equipment.
Engaging in monozukuri for both software and automobiles
In the IT industry, the word "scrum" is used to describe an agile development method. But did you know that this actually originated from the Toyota Production System (TPS)? Typical concepts of TPS include just-in-time and autonomation (automation with people). This has a rapport with agile development in IT. Consequently, whether in the automotive industry or the IT industry, the difference is simply whether the final output is a physical item or software. The true essence of monozukuri does not change. At Toyota Otemachi, the appeal is the potential to engage in the development of both of these.
The world moves propelled by the movement of people
When I joined the company, the engine and the body were the main components of an automobile. That has since changed. Now a car will not move if there is no software. Software now occupies a key position. As we found in 2020 when the government declared a state of emergency, the economy does not move if people do not move. We create automobiles and mobility that make transportation fun for people. I am confident that through this we are contributing to society and the economy.