Omron 2016 Annual Report Download - page 58

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According to the SINIC Theory, we are presently
living in the Optimization Society*1. In the
preceding Industrial Society, the world
emphasized the values of efficiency,
productivity, physical goods, and groups. The
Autonomous Society is the next stage in which
the world values higher-level pursuits of spiritual
and emotional development. These values focus
on contentment and individual lifestyle.
　The Optimization Society is a repeated cycle
of destruction and creation in the gaps that exist
between these two social values. Today, we are
experiencing a period of chaos in the
advancement of optimization. We predict that
the Autonomous Society will arrive in 10 years
or so. This society will be a more mature one in
which individuals can experience the joy of
self-actualization, deciding their own values and
living their own lifestyle without outside
interference.
　Over time, we will experience a shift away
from physical goods toward an increase in
collective wisdom, emotional intelligence, and
the capacity to concern ourselves with others.
These changes will require advancements in
science and technology related to human
intellect, sensitivity, and other human virtues.
The Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence
are ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
a development that confirms the predictive
model of the SINIC Theory.
This change in society is inextricably tied to the
changing nature of the relationship between
humans and machines. The relationship
between humans and machines develops
across three stages. The first stage is one of
separating humans and machines, having the
machine take over certain tasks from the
human. This was the beginning of automation:
using machines to replace humans to do work
that does not require human intervention. The
Omron history mirrors this history, as we
introduced factory automation, automated ticket
gates, and other inventions.
　The second stage in this relationship is one of
connecting humans and machines in a
cooperative relationship. An example of this is a
Our founder, Kazuma Tateishi, believed that to solve social issues through business and create a
better society required the ability to anticipate future social needs. He believed that a company
needed a compass to help predict the future. As our compass, Mr. Tateishi formulated the SINIC
predictive theory, which projects the future based on the cycle of interrelationships between Science,
Technology, and Society. Omron first announced this predictive theory to the world at the
International Future Research World Congress in 19 7 0 . Since then, the SINIC Theory has been our
compass for projecting into the future.
Note: See http://www.omron.com/about/principles/sinic/ for more.
Management Compass
The SINIC Theory
The Evolving Relationship between
Humans and Machines
From an Optimization Society to an
Autonomous Society
56 OMRON Corporation