Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
This product measures the relation between the brain and the muscles. In training using the muscular activity sensor “Muscle Alive,” the trainee and the instructor such as a coach can share objective information on muscular activity. In order to grasp and evaluate a person’s exercise performance correctly and use it for the next trial, it is necessary to construct a feedback loop of “understand the contents of the exercise,” “try and feel,” “actually execute,” “check whether it matches the purpose,” and “newly understand.” Our company makes full use of myoelectricity data, which is biological information, in this loop.

[Business description]
Our business expansion is based on improving communication between the brain and muscles. In general, the relation between muscular activity and the brain is rarely recognized. However, exercise and motion inevitably require coordination through communication between the brain and muscles, as well as muscle strength and stamina. Our muscular activity sensor, “Muscle Alive”, utilizes activation by a brain exercise program, which the basis of coordination power. Our product brings various advantages for exercise and motion by athletes and members of sports clubs and exercise facilities who wish to improve the quality of their exercise, as well as senior citizens wanting to check their muscular activity and patients undergoing rehabilitation.



[Industry]
Miscellaneous manufacturing 

[Strength of products/technologies]
Our muscular activity sensor “Muscle Alive” is based on the technology of the myoelectricity meter which measures the electrical signals for motion instructed by the brain to the muscles. By using integrated circuits to reduce the size and improve the performance, we succeeded in miniaturization to the size of 28 x 44 x 12 mm and the weight of 15 g. Compared with conventional products, the size is less than 1/70 and the weight is less than 1/40; it is the world’s smallest and lightest product. We have also developed the product as a myoelectricity biofeedback training tool which can easily be used by the general public. Thanks to its size and weight, efficient muscular activity level can be conveyed to the trainee and instructor in real-time with sound, LEDs and graphics without imposing a burden on the trainee.

[Representative's message]
We are challenging highly innovative fields. We are looking for partners to help expand the possibilities of using myoelectricity information. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the potential of using myoelectricity information thanks to the development of the myoelectricity artificial arm and HAL of Cyberdyne Inc.



[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We have staff for market expansion in the Osaka area as well as in the headquarters. We have also set up a liaison office in Hong Kong. We have a system for handling inquiries from overseas clients, lending demonstration equipment and delivering products. We can lend Muscle Alive demonstration equipment to enterprises which are interested in our technology and products.



[Market share/Ranking]
We cannot estimate the share because there are no equivalent products in the market.

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]

[Media]
TV-Tokyo, Business Satellite “Trend Tamago” (June 2011)
NHK, Ohayo Nippon “Street Corner Information” (September 2011)
Fukui Shimbun (March 2012) and Nihon Keizai Shimbun (October 2012), and so on


[Joint research and development]
Joint research with Fukui University (2005 to 2011: Minokonashi (behavior) Improvement Project and Development of Muscle Alive)
Joint development with Osaka University (2014: Evaluation of muscular activity in nursing situations)
Joint development with Bisai Memorial Hospital (2014: Utilization of muscular activity information in rehabilitation evaluation)
Joint development with Nihon Fukushi University (2014: Utilization of muscular activity information in the evaluation of rotator cuff injury)


[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
We have sold the product to the R&D divisions of major companies such as Shimano, Panasonic and Toshiba. We have also received permission to conduct a storefront demonstration at Tokyu Hands next spring. We are signing agreements with major companies such as Ricoh and Sharp, which visited our booth during the New Value Creation Expo and other exhibitions.

[Main Clients / Business History (overseas)]
We deliver our product to Chinese athletic clubs through Ozax.