2024.03.22
Panasonic Group People
Creating New Value with a Future-oriented
Approach to Tackling Social Challenges: Masaru Nikaido
Series:
Unlocking 
to Advance the Development Process
A key individual in software development
Masaru Nikaido
System Technology Department, Cold Chain Business Division,
Cold Chain Solutions Company, Panasonic Corporation
Following a role in software development in a different industry, Nikaido joined Panasonic in 2016. He is currently in charge of developing software and designing IoT and security solutions for kitchen appliances such as commercial fridge-freezers and refrigeration equipment for logistics.
Thinking and Acting Independently in Advance
For me, job satisfaction is the ability to provide society with entirely new value through cold chain* solutions. One project I was involved in was the new development of refrigerated delivery boxes for housing complexes. These boxes have touch panels that enable users to put in and take out cold items, while they can also remotely check incomings and outgoings and manage internal temperature.
＊ Cold chain systems enable the storage and delivery of refrigerated or frozen food products from the producing region to the consumer at a fixed temperature.
Installing software for refrigerated delivery boxes
Checking the wiring on a refrigerated delivery box
Delivery boxes are used by residents, delivery companies, and many others all day, every day. As such, stable and reliable software that considers various usage situations is paramount. The above project was one of continuous trial and error. In addition to software development, we needed to create systems for automatic setup and remote maintenance. Of particular importance during this project was the consideration of what would be required at the commercialization stage. I tested and prepared the technical elements that would be required for commercialization in advance. I also paid close attention to thinking about what I could do myself and acting on my ideas. Although there were many hardships along the way, I am very happy that the product we developed will contribute to the reduction of redeliveries and increased convenience, as well as help address other social issues such as the so-called 2024 logistics problem and global environmental issues caused by CO2 emissions.
Freeing up the time and effort required to create this added value, however, required us to improve our existing operations and streamline our development processes. Our business division in particular was formed from multiple different departments following an earlier reorganization, and so there were many types of software developed using very different methods. To improve the situation, I worked to standardize the foundation of software that controls major functions. For issues that required careful attention, numerous engineers came together to exchange opinions and align specifications, and after a year we were finally able to develop a standardized base software. The first new commercial fridge-freezer to use this software was unveiled at the Japan Food Service Equipment Show in February this year.
Small Individual Successes
Can Lead to Major Achievements
Since last fiscal year, at our business division we have been working to improve our medium- to long-term product development roadmap. I have taken on the role of project leader, and engaged in discussions with employees from the technology, product planning, and marketing departments on measures to bring shape to the roadmap. As one example, we have introduced a new system in which we visualize a more detailed development plan and more precisely define the roles of each team member. The aim is to have each employee think about how they can benefit the customer and transform this into specific action. By promoting this employee entrepreneurship approach—that is, encouraging employees to formulate and execute development plans and implement ideas they have been working on—we hope to generate small results and improvements through this roadmap that can ultimately lead to something huge.
In the future, the application of cold chain devices is expected to increase significantly. The use of IoT mechanisms that can directly improve customer convenience and remote maintenance will be key to advancements in this area. My personal goal is to use my long-accumulated expertise, ability to take action, and negotiation and proposal skills to accelerate the adoption of IoT in our products and drive the creation of entirely new value.
Writing a source code for the software
Checking the internal temperature of a commercial freezer
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