Japan’s NTT Docomo has long been a pioneer in communications innovation. However, the company is at a crossroads as the ultra-fast rollout of 4G and 5G networks outpaces the development of complementary commercial services, and 6G penetration is not expected until the 2030s. In response, NTT Docomo is shifting its research and development focus to new businesses and services, aiming to strengthen its position in the upcoming 6G environment, especially with its IOWN (Innovative Optical Wireless Network) initiative. .
At its recent technology showcase, Docomo Open House ’24, NTT Docomo announced a series of groundbreaking technology services that go beyond the traditional communications realm, providing a glimpse into the company’s future direction.
One such initiative is leveraging electric vehicles (EVs) to contribute to the power grid and serve as mobile base stations for disaster response and communications. In this project, real tests were carried out in Japan’s Noto Peninsula, which was affected by an earthquake from January 12, 2024. Efforts to consider this are attracting a lot of attention in Japan, and they present a model worth considering for regions like Taiwan that are prone to natural disasters.
Looking ahead, NTT Docomo is delving into cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) applications, particularly in areas related to IOWN research. Specifically, the company announced a pioneering AI service that can predict future brain changes based on current MRI scans and medical data. This development is intended to address the pressing challenge of Japan’s aging population, where dementia rates are predicted to skyrocket.
Current AI technology is trained using the personal data of about 500 people and about 150,000 brain MRI images. Its enforcement is scheduled to begin in 2025. As Japan grapples with profound demographic changes towards an aging population, the prevalence of age-related brain diseases is increasing, requiring urgent action. Japanese authorities predict that by 2025, approximately 20% of the population will suffer from varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Therefore, early detection and prevention strategies emerge as essential imperatives.
NTT Docomo is looking beyond its core telecommunications business to opportunities in the consumer market. Upcoming services include a mobile lifestyle monitoring and recommendation service powered by AI predictive technology, but a launch date has not yet been confirmed.
Additionally, NTT Docomo plans to introduce an innovative virtual reality (VR) avatar creation service by March 2025. This innovative platform allows users to create personalized avatars through text input, opening new frontiers of digital self-expression and interaction. This pioneering service will be initially rolled out across NTT Group’s augmented reality (XR) subsidiary and NTT Qonoq’s VR platform DOOR.