Researcher's Dream

From a passion for making things to Ocean Digital Twin

Profile

Hideki Tomimori

Security Science Laboratory
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences
Joined Fujitsu in 2009
My Purpose: Creating a world where I wake up excited to research

Article｜2026-05-28

Driven by a pure passion for making things

From an early age, I was the kind of person who would pick up a screwdriver and take things apart—from toys to televisions. I was curious about what was inside and how things worked. I enjoyed building rubber-band guns from chopsticks and modifying Mini 4WD cars. Around the same time, I was also introduced to programming with BASIC and began creating simple puzzle and shooting games of my own. Although video games weren’t allowed at home, learning on a PC was. Through these experiences, I discovered the joy of investigating on my own, through trial-and-error, to build things by hand.

In my undergraduate years, a chance opportunity led me to participate in a joint research project with Fujitsu. I worked on R&D for technologies to support safe driving, focusing on detecting driver drowsiness by collecting physiological data, such as heart rate, using sensors. I also took part in on-site field trials, collaborating with numerous participants to collect and analyze data, all with the aim of achieving highly accurate and practical technologies. Through this experience, I developed a strong desire to pursue applied research in industry and bring research outcomes to society as real products. This motivation ultimately led me to decide to join Fujitsu.

Adaptability forged through hands on experience

Throughout a long corporate career, my research themes often change, but the sensing and signal processing technologies I developed during my student years continue to play a vital role in my work to this day. One project I find particularly memorable was the R&D for an AI based gymnastics Judging support system using 3D sensing technology (*1). This system captures gymnasts’ movements during competitions and analyzes them as numerical data, enabling AI to automatically evaluate and judge routines. In addition to displaying the scoring results on screen, the system presents detailed numerical information—such as joint angles—tailored to situations where judges need to closely examine the precision of an athlete’s movements. This supports accurate and consistent judging based on a unified standard.

At the same time, real competition venues contain many sources of noise that cannot be fully anticipated through simulation alone, such as ceiling structures and reflections from lighting, which can degrade motion sensing accuracy. To ensure stable performance within limited timeframes under unknown environmental conditions, it was necessary to carefully fine tune the system. In addition, changes to sensor and camera placement required clear, thoughtful explanations and flexible responses to gain the understanding of stakeholders such as broadcasters and sports federations. Beyond the technical research itself, one of the most valuable takeaways from this project was learning the importance of making technology work through on site communication and persuasion. The moment when the system operated successfully at an actual competition—and the AI’s scores matched the judges’ correct evaluations—remains a deeply rewarding highlight of my work.

(*1) Fujitsu and the International Gymnastics Federation launch AI-powered Fujitsu Judging Support System for use in competition for all 10 apparatuses

Bringing advanced sensing technology to underwater data measurement

After completing the development of the AI based gymnastics scoring system, I am now engaged in research on Ocean Digital Twin. This technology aims to recreate the conditions of the ocean in a digital space and, by predicting their changes, contribute to addressing societal challenges such as climate change, carbon neutrality, and biodiversity conservation (*2). Within this field, I am focused particularly on the development of automatic navigation control for underwater drones that enable stable data measurement even in rough sea conditions, as well as high precision sensing technologies that accurately capture the shape and distribution of underwater objects. As validation in real environments is essential, I undertook maritime safety training and physical conditioning to ensure underwater field experiments could be conducted safely. In practice, we have carried out wide area data collection using underwater drones in various marine regions across Japan—from Uwajima in Ehime Prefecture to sites as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Okinawa—while repeatedly validating the technology in consideration of local environmental conditions. One of the outcomes of this work has been the establishment of a method to quantitatively evaluate the amount of CO₂ absorbed by seaweed and other blue carbon ecosystems. This achievement has also contributed to carbon credit certification (*3).

Loading component...

Field experiments using underwater drones

Loading component...

A weekend joy that begins with fishing

My hobby is fishing, but in truth, I’m even more absorbed in what comes after the catch—making dried fish and experimenting with how to prepare and enjoy it. Part of the fun is that even the same fish doesn’t taste the same each time: the final result changes significantly depending on factors like salt levels, drying time, weather conditions, and even where the fish is placed on the balcony. In the beginning, I made many mistakes: sometimes the fish dried too much and became hard, while other times it retained too much moisture and developed an unpleasant odor. However, by measuring changes in moisture content and thinking carefully each time about why things didn’t work, I gradually adjusted the salt quantity, drying duration, and placement. Through this process of trial and error, I naturally developed my own techniques. Even when I don’t make dried fish, I choose how to prepare the catch—sashimi, grilled fish, or other dishes—based on its condition that day. On days with an especially good catch, I’ve brought home dozens of fish, leading to long hours of preparation for freezing and the slightly embarrassing sight of a freezer completely filled with fish. Still, when I catch the aroma rising from a dish I’ve carefully prepared and taste the rich flavor spreading with the first bite, all the fatigue instantly fades away. Wondering what kind of fish I’ll catch next—and what new flavors I’ll discover—is all part of the joy of fishing.

Loading component...

Loading component...

Unlocking new ways of working through new devices

My current ambition is to leverage next generation devices like robots and underwater drones—particularly in tasks involving physical labor or requiring high levels of concentration—to expand the ways we work to make full use of human capabilities and enhance vitality across society as a whole. As I have witnessed firsthand in field trials in marine environments, many worksites, including in the fishing industry, involve significant risks from weather and environmental conditions, still relying heavily on physical strength and accumulated experience. By enabling new devices to take on hazardous tasks in these settings, people can focus on the roles they are uniquely suited for—such as decision making, planning, and maintenance. In addition, even in work that demands sustained concentration—such as long hours spent monitoring underwater data collection screens while operating drones—automation can allow people to devote more energy to higher value judgment and analysis. The effective use of such devices can also broaden opportunities for individuals with physical limitations, enabling them to take on tasks and roles that were previously difficult, and expanding their options for work and social participation. Through R&D, I hope to help unlock the abilities and potential of each individual and contribute to a future where barriers to participation in society can be overcome.

Loading component...

Messages from colleagues

In the marine field, where multiple domains such as the environment and economy intersect, we have high expectations that Hideki will leverage his experience in technological development and customer co-creation, as well as his broad perspective across technology and markets, cultivated through his work with the intelligent tracking and gymnastics scoring systems. We look forward to him driving the creation of high-value core technologies for Ocean Digital Twin and strongly leading its business development. (Akira Karasudani, Senior Project Director, Security Science Laboratory)