The Future is Now: Intelligent Robots, Remote Endoscopies, and Other Experimental Innovations

A clever robot designed to identify improper behaviors—such as someone leaving a refrigerator door open—and autonomously address the problem without explicit instructions. A remote endoscopy system that eliminates delays, minimizing risks during medical procedures.

Technology’s potential to improve the quality of life, promote a sustainable future, and simplify daily tasks is widely discussed. At the recent NTT DATA R&D Tour Tokyo 2024, attendees experienced amazing demonstrations, showcasing how these advancements are closer than ever to becoming part of our daily lives.

The groundbreaking remote endoscopy system, developed in collaboration with Olympus, leverages a cloud-based platform powered by NTT DATA's All Photonics Network (APN) under the IOWN initiative. This system processes images remotely with an impressive latency of just 1.1 milliseconds, far below the 16-millisecond threshold required for seamless procedures—a revolutionary step for medical technology.

APN’s applications extend to digital media production through the IOWN x Media Production solution. This connects multiple filming locations and production centers via a high-capacity, low-latency network with consistent performance. The system enables the transmission of 4K/8K-quality video, either in their full uncompressed format or with low compression, with redundancy to ensure ongoing operations. By 2026, this innovation is projected to achieve mass adoption, significantly lowering operational costs, streamlining equipment requirements, and reducing preparation times.

NTT C89 was one of the innovation exhibits. It was named after the 89th constellation. This project introduces the world's first commercial optical data relay service via geostationary orbit. It reduces satellite observation data transfer times from hours to minutes—or even less. This breakthrough supports impactful use cases, such as near real-time monitoring of remote or disaster-stricken areas.

Another highlight was photonic cryptographic circuits, which use light instead of electricity for faster and more secure data processing. This technology enables the real-time transmission of sensitive data across global financial networks and satellite communications, where low latency and robust security are top priorities.

The event featured a host of groundbreaking technologies, including the GenAI TechHub, which serves as a centralized hub for deploying scalable and innovative AI solutions. Another standout was the Generative Time Machine, an advanced analytical tool that examines megatrends across technology, environmental dynamics, and societal shifts to envision and model potential future scenarios. Attendees also explored AI-powered Digital Humans, designed to support various business applications, and Smart Factories, which integrate microservices, cloud computing, 5G, and digital twins to streamline operations. Finally, the C-Turtle Platform demonstrated its capability to visualize and mitigate environmental impacts across supply chains, aligning with net-zero emission goals.

We live in a generation that is defined by technological hype. Events like this provide a critical glimpse into the future, helping distinguish tangible innovations from fiction. They offer invaluable insights into which advancements should be tested immediately to shape the future we envision.