Sota　 What made you attend the SSS Matching Workshop?

Ai　It was because my supervisor, Prof. Nohara, who recommended it to me. Through the workshop, I wanted to look for a partner who can collaborate with my field of research.

Sota　Your research theme is the digital recording and exhibition design of the local museums, right?

Ai　Yes, I mainly conduct research on the reconstruction of local communication from the point of view of local museums. However, when I actually attended the workshop, other students had research themes such as 5G, AI, and mechanical learning. I was the only one who had a theme related to design. Also, many companies were telecommunications or network companies. I felt that there might not be a suitable partner for my field of research so, I wasn’t expecting much.

Sota　From my point of view, that was the exact point that I felt interested in. When I talked to you, you said that you haven’t decided the target field, and you were in a stage of deciding the direction of your research. So, I proposed that you visit the museums in Ota City. Later, we decided to have a collaboration with Ryushi Memorial Museum[2]. In this project, you did the 3D digital recording of the studio and the former residence that were non-admission to public, right?

Ai　Yes, I used a technology called “Photogrammetry” which creates a 3D model out of a photograph taken by a single-lens reflex camera. I also used data scanned by a sensor, compared the two data manually, and created the final data.

Sota　It may sound strange, but it looks more real than the real one! The studio is 85 years old. Also, due to the problem of earthquake resistance, you cannot look around freely. The 3D digital record enables you to freely look at something that is very much similar to the real one. I think this will please the visitors. Ota City is thankful for it too.

Ai　This result is planned to be opened to the public later. In future, through the introduction of digital exhibition into a normal exhibition, I would be very happy if I am able to facilitate the communication within a museum, improve its efficiency, and create new value of local museums by gathering people outside of the local community.

Sota　 How was your experience attending the Matching Workshop?

Ai　It is difficult to explain your research to people from other fields in just one minute of time. I think this ability is most important in the Matching Workshop.

Sota　Yes, normally, students don’t have so many opportunities to talk with adults other than your teachers. I felt that you were nervous during the presentation, but I think it is a great merit of the Matching Workshop to have such an experience.

Ai　For example, you can practice at your lab, such as creating a five-minutes video to introduce yourself and your research field. You will expand your ability for appealing yourself.

Sota Through this collaboration, Ota City also feels a merit, such as introducing a new technology through your proposal. It is important for you to complete the doctor’s dissertation, so we would like to support you by providing the sites and creating a win-win relationship of two-way collaboration.