Hiroshima University: KOBELCO Construction Machinery Dream-Driven Co-Creation Research Center

Abstract

On April 1, 2018, Hiroshima University instituted the “Joint Research with External Organizations (Private Sector, etc.).” The first project was the “KOBELCO Construction Machinery Dream-Driven Co-Creation Research Center (DDCC Research Center).” This research center has three collaborative research laboratories, and eight joint-research studies are in progress. With the aim of developing a hydraulic excavator that is human-friendly and human-nurturing, the research and development focuses on controls that (i) work as the operator expects and (ii) create value that facilitates growth of the operator. This article gives an overview of how the research center was established and what the research center studies and develops.