This November, over 19,000 attendees took in the show at the NTT R&D Forum 2024. Exhibits lined the walls of the Musashino R&D Centre in Tokyo, showing breakthrough technologies in everything from generative AI to digital twins and space-based data centres. The theme ‘IOWN- Integral’, captured our commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive Society 5.0 – where technology is at the heart of our approach to solving our society’s biggest challenges, transforming how we work and live.
Occurring over a five-day span, the event showcased 122 exhibits across AI, ICT, and sustainability. This was more than research for research’s sake. These visitors had a front-row seat to see how these research demonstrations translate into real-world impact.
Here are seven standout breakthroughs that demonstrate how NTT and NTT DATA are leading transformation across a wide range of industries.
1. Space is the Next Frontier for Data Centres
Data doesn’t always have to come back to Earth to be useful. A focus point during this year’s event was NTT’s vision for a Space Integrated Computing Network. NTT Representative Director and Executive Vice President Takehiko Kawazoe revealed the company’s plans to bring IOWN beyond the stratosphere, turning satellites into hubs for data processing.
NTT’s joint venture, Space Compass Corporation, established in partnership with SKY Perfect JSAT, will use optical data relay, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and next-generation satellite technology to create seamless connectivity between space and terrestrial networks. By processing data in orbit and transmitting it via high-capacity, low-latency networks, Space Compass is paving the way for sustainable ICT infrastructures capable of supporting the demands of a hyper-connected, data-driven economy.
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2. A 4D Digital Platform, Marble Vision, and Digital Twins Powered by Satellite Imagery
By the end of 2022, over 6,700 satellites orbited the Earth – almost 2,000 more than the year before. This proliferation of available satellite imagery has given businesses a new set of angles with which to monitor and understand the world. By capturing high-frequency, high-resolution data from orbit, these satellites provide insights into conditions on Earth - supporting applications from environmental monitoring and disaster management to infrastructure planning and smart agriculture.
Recent advancements, including smaller, cost-effective satellites and faster deployment cycles, have expanded access to satellite imagery for industries outside the conventional space sector. This is complemented by initiatives like NTT’s IOWN, which integrates advanced optical and wireless technologies with satellite data to enable seamless connectivity and support data-driven innovation across industries.
To bring this vision to life, NTT DATA has founded Marble Vision, a product suite providing observation satellite services. For instance, logistics companies could use its data to reroute supply chains in real time to avoid weather disruptions, while urban planners could make more informed decisions about infrastructure placement using the freshest data available.
Crucially, these systems don’t operate in isolation. By blending space-based and terrestrial networks, we can create resilient, scalable infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of a data-driven economy.
However, transforming this real-world geospatial data into actionable insights requires specialised support. This is the design principle behind NTT’s 4D Digital Platform. The platform will integrate information like latitude, longitude, height, and time to create an ultra-accurate digital twin of the physical world. Its design allows it to overcome common challenges like mismatched datasets and conduct real-time analysis and predictive modelling.
From improving urban traffic flow and optimising infrastructure use to enabling predictive maintenance of critical assets, the 4D Digital Platform provides the tools to address pressing societal challenges. It’s a key part of NTT’s Digital Twin Computing under the IOWN initiative, and the platform has laid the foundation for smarter cities and cross-industry collaboration, driving innovation and sustainability on a global scale.
3. Quantum Computing at Room Temperature
I was particularly interested in demonstrations of quantum technologies that could bring this field into mainstream use. This year, in collaboration with RIKEN and Fixstars, NTT has created the world’s first general-purpose optical quantum computer that operates at nearly room temperature, with bandwidth 1,000 times greater than conventional systems.
Another standout application was quantum communication networks. By using multiphoton quantum entanglement, these systems enable encrypted communication and secure data sharing at an unprecedented scale. Industries handling sensitive information, such as finance, healthcare, and national security, stand to benefit most from this leap in secure communication.
Security is just one application of these breakthrough technologies. The processing power of quantum computers allows companies to solve complex challenges, from modelling drug interactions in pharmaceuticals to optimising large-scale logistics networks.
4. Turning Research into Reality: tsuzumi Launches on Azure Marketplace
The launch of tsuzumi, NTT’s lightweight large language model (LLM), on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace has paved the way for large-scale, sustainable deployment of generative AI. Its ability to run on minimal hardware while delivering the AI capabilities users have come to expect - like contextual understanding and multimodal processing - shows how AI can scale across industries without spiralling costs or environmental impact. Imagine customer service systems that intuitively anticipate needs or supply chains optimised in real time, all powered by compact yet powerful AI.
5. Record-Breaking Connectivity with IOWN
We were also treated to further advances in connectivity with IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network). With IOWN’s All-Photonics Network (APN), businesses can achieve unprecedented performance, as shown by one experiment in long-distance connection between Japan and Taiwan. The result was bandwidths of up to 800Gb/s and a record-breaking 17-millisecond latency over 3,000km.
For industries reliant on real-time data, this will be a key competitive edge. APN’s speed and reliability, for example, make it ideal for remote-controlled precision manufacturing or telemedicine, where every fraction of a second counts. Meanwhile, the reduced energy consumption is a game-changer for businesses balancing scalability with sustainability goals.
These breakthrough technologies will seamlessly integrate into organisations’ existing systems, opening the door for practical adoption of GenAI and next-generation connectivity on a global scale.
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6. Merging Minds and Machines: Project Humanity
Project Humanity showcases how advanced brainwave-controlled systems can enable individuals to engage with both digital and physical environments in new, powerful ways. In 2022, a DJ with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) demonstrated how the technology allowed him to craft avatars and perform to a live crowd, using brainwaves and impulse signals from his arms.
This remarkable use case highlights how these systems could redefine accessibility, empowering those with severe motor impairments to communicate, work, and express themselves more freely.
In healthcare, brain-machine interfaces could enable patients with neurodegenerative conditions like ALS or locked-in syndrome to operate assistive devices, enhancing independence and quality of life. In professional environments, they could help create inclusive workplaces where people with disabilities participate fully in digital tasks, creative industries, and even remote operations.
Industries such as gaming, virtual reality, and entertainment could benefit immensely from brainwave-controlled technology, allowing for more immersive and intuitive interactions. Imagine virtual spaces where users can control avatars, design environments, or create content purely through their thoughts.
7. Turning Lightning into Power
Few things capture the imagination like harnessing the raw power of nature. At the forum, researchers presented a bold idea: using drones equipped with lightning-resistant technology to safely guide strikes and store their energy. While still in its early stages, this project has enormous potential; not only as a renewable energy source, but as a way to protect infrastructure from damage.
This work speaks to a broader theme: rethinking how we interact with natural forces. As industries explore alternative energy sources, projects like these point to a future where even the most unpredictable phenomena can become assets.
These drones could also support environmental monitoring, gathering data on storm patterns and lightning activity to refine weather forecasts. In regions prone to severe storms, they could also help emergency services prevent fires and power outages by intercepting strikes before they hit critical infrastructure.
Innovating For Impact
If you spoke to the attendees at this year’s event, you got the impression of a shared mission. A drive to turn bold ideas into meaningful impact. This means integrating the latest technology into our approach to solving society’s biggest challenges. From great strides in connectivity with IOWN to addressing global challenges through sustainability and AI, NTT and NTT DATA are shaping the tools and infrastructure of tomorrow.
At NTT DATA, we have expertise spanning the entire technology stack: from physical network and data centre infrastructure to market-leading digital consultancy and a heritage of innovation in GenAI and digital twins. With that knowledge, we specialise in helping businesses turn these breakthroughs into practical, scalable solutions.
If you’re ready to explore what these technologies can achieve for your organisation, get in touch to arrange a consultation.