We are still a small start-up company. Even so, the organisation can boast of its wealth of human resources.
Joined the company in October 2015 / From Aichi Prefecture / Software development
Excited by the unique and unstructured situation of a start-up company
Why am I an engineer at MiraiKikai, when I have no special feelings about robots and was not born in Shikoku? When I think about it again, it's strange. It all started when I was working in the cargo department of an airport and was approached by our chief researcher, who was a local classmate, and joined as a programmer as a way of helping out. I started working very casually, but before I knew it, I had been given a major role in the development of the robot's software.
When I started working as a programmer in earnest at the company, we were in the middle of developing the first prototype of the 'solar panel cleaning robot'. I found it fascinating that the situation was not quite structured, in the good sense of the word, as only a start-up company can be. I'm still excited by the thrill of being able to shape not only manufacturing, but also the organisation from scratch.
Always play to the best of your ability. Always all hands on deck
Software development is, so to speak, the development of the brain of the robot. If an operational error were to occur due to a programming error, it would be an extremely serious defect and the robot wouldn't become a good product. I once witnessed an operation test at a solar power plant overseas, and I was really watching the robot as if I were praying for it. So when I saw our robot working correctly in the vast deserts of India, I was overflowing with joy.
You might think that I am an expert in software development, but I had no experience in software development before joining our company. I just had an undergraduate degree in information science. Even so, I think the reason I have been able to make it this far is because our company is filled with a passion to create good products. We are a small, elite organisation, so when problems arise in various situations, we all work together to find solutions. We can't just say, "I'm in charge of software". Everyone always gives it their all to solve problems. It's tiring, but everyday is fascinating.
Attracted by a wealth of talent, from youngsters in their 20s to veterans in their 70s
To be honest, the company's body of work is not yet complete. Roles and the allocation of tasks are also vague in some areas. But we are attracting people of all ages with a variety of skills. They range from young people in their 20s, who will eventually become our core engineers, to senior engineers in their 60s and 70s who have contributed to Japanese manufacturing for many years. We believe that the biggest attraction of our company is its solid technical capabilities backed up by young ideas and experience.
