Yamaha 2007 Annual Report Download - page 19

Yamaha Annual Report 2007 3635
Technological expertise underpins the Yamaha Group’s base of
broad operations. Yamaha invests substantially in research and
development (R&D) activities that support its progress in advanced
technology. Securing, protecting, and utilizing related intellectual
property is another prime aim at Yamaha to ensure that the
Company retains and enhances its competitive technical edge.
Core technologies and business direction
Yamaha leverages the core technological expertise that it has
acquired over many years in the fields of sound and music to
increase the value of the Yamaha brand and to stimulate new
demand by developing and offering innovative, high-quality
products and services. At the same time, the Company has
cultivated an excellent global reputation for original design. This
attracts customers worldwide while boosting the competitiveness
of the product range and raising the Yamaha brand profile. Core
technical expertise and innovative product design constitute
important functions for Yamaha.
Going forward, Yamaha will focus attention on developing
network-based sound technologies that bring about “sound-filled”
lifestyles, as well as materials and devices connected with human
senses and emotions. By doing so, Yamaha can generate new
business opportunities using its expertise in sound, and continue
expanding as “the sound professional” company, even in the
realms of human voices and environmental sound. The Company
is working, for instance, on blending acoustic, digital signal
processing, and network technologies to enable sound to
become the basis for important aspects of home life, such as
conveying information or security. Yamaha also is looking at
commercializing other potential businesses in light of the rapid
aging of Japanese society. Efforts include a studio in Tokyo
established to develop original systems that emphasize the
positive social role of music in health maintenance.
To further its use of core technologies to support future
business, Yamaha invests in core technology improvement as
well as employee training to ensure that core skills are passed on
and nurtured within its workforce. Other key aspects of R&D at
Yamaha include programs to maintain and upgrade technologies
for product development and manufacturing. These efforts
strengthen the Yamaha brand and boost the value of the
Company’s intellectual property and other intangible assets.
R&D organization
R&D at Yamaha comprises three elements. First, technical
departments attached to each business segment and the Group
Companies work on product development. Second, the
Research and Development
Innovative Technology Division focuses on new research and
technical development projects spanning the entire Company.
Third, separate companywide project teams work on specific
strategic research and product development themes.
Within the Innovative Technology Division are separate R&D
centers—the Center for Advanced Sound Technologies for
comprehensive R&D of musical instruments, audio equipment,
electronic equipment and software, and the Center for Materials
& Components Technologies for new materials and devices.
The companywide project teams, meanwhile, include eYamaha
Division that promotes R&D into new business models for the
internet age.
In addition, Yamaha conducts most of its product design in-
house at Yamaha Product Design Laboratory, which holds two
Design Studios in Tokyo and London. Yamaha continually works
to bolster its structure to fulfill its aim of being a leader in high-
quality product design that has a fresh, cutting-edge feel to it.
R&D achievements
Developed products using MEMS (Micro Electro
Mechanical Systems) technology
Yamaha began the basic development of MEMS in 2002 and
commenced the development of silicon microphones in 2004.
Drawing on its semiconductor manufacturing technology, circuit
design technology, and acoustic design technology, Yamaha
succeeded in developing its silicon microphones in a relatively
short period.
Yamaha has a broad lineup of audio LSI products,
including mobile audio LSI chips, as well as analog and digital
audio signal processing technology. Going forward, Yamaha will
aim to draw on its experience and technology in these areas to
develop high-value-added microphones and microphone
systems to meet a range of needs for noise reduction,
directionality control, and other features.
Yamaha has also been mass-producing two-axis and
three-axis geomagnetic sensors for applications related to
mobile phones, among others, since 2005. Yamaha succeeded
in the miniaturization of the sensors during the period via
process development.
Developed microphone/speaker array control technology
Yamaha has combined the talker position detection technology
of the arrayed microphone and the virtual sound source
reproduction and 3-channel echo canceller technologies of the
arrayed speaker in IP conferencing systems to realize a “Talker
Position Output Mode” that reproduces voice according to the
location of the speaker.
Developed USB powered stereo speaker with powerful output
Yamaha’s PowerStorageTM circuit, a unique technology
developed during the period, can output 20W (10W x 2) of
instant power*, which is around 20 times what other USB
speakers deliver.
* Continuous power output at 0.1 seconds.
R&D and Intellectual Property
Measurement of physical characteristics
of materials
Material and device R&D at Yamaha targets
the development of various new materials and
devices with applications in sound and music.
The fruits of such efforts provide the basis for
new businesses.
Measurement of acoustic characteristics
using dummy heads in an anechoic room
Researchers at Yamaha’s Center for Advanced
Sound Technologies are scientifically
examining sound in its totality, including music,
words, and noise. Research themes
conducted in parallel include the emotional or
healing impact of music and sound diffusion
analysis. This work seeks to tap into the
unknown potential that sound can derive.
03/3 04/3 05/3 06/3 07/3
R&D Expenses (Billions of Yen)
25
20
15
10
5
0
R&D Expenses by Business Segment
(as of March 31, 2007)
24.2 Billion Yen
47%
5%
6%
22%
20%
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Research and Development Group
Innovative Technology Division
Center for Advanced Sound Technologies
Center for Materials and Components Technologies
Product Design Laboratory
eYamaha Division
Musical Instruments Business Group
Business Divison
Technical Development Department
Sound and IT Business Group
Business Divison
Technical Development Department
Productive Technology Business Group
Business Divison
Technical Development Department
Business Divison
Technical Development Department
Yamaha Livingtec Corporation
Technical Development Department
R&D Organization Structure
Musical Instruments AV/IT
Electronic Equipment and Metal Products
Lifestyle-Related Products Others