TRON Project Leader
Ken Sakamura

TRON Project has aimed at the realization of “Computing Everywhere,” i.e. today's ubiquitous computing environment from the start. It will soon be eight years since the research focused on ubiquitous computing began. During this time, uID architecture has been proposed and many application projects based on uID architecture in a wide variety of fields such as food traceability, logistics management, free mobility assistance, medicine traceability, and product traceability, to name a few, have been conducted. As a result, we now have a better understanding of various issues and know exactly where improvements can be made. We can finally say ubiquitous computing is ready for practical applications.

One such example of practical application is the traceability of fire alarms in homes. In 2006, a law was enacted stipulating that all homes be equipped with fire alarms. Since ordinary existing homes do not have the suitable electrical power wiring for fire alarms, battery-operated alarms will be installed. Here rented rooms pose a management headache for landlords. Landlords are responsible for installing fire alarms in rented housing, changing batteries periodically, and ensuring the devices are functioning properly. There are many types of detectors from many suppliers, and similar-looking devices from different manufacturers may coexist in a building. There are also dishonest tenants who steal the alarm units when moving out. Therefore, management of all these devices is a difficult task.

In response, a traceability system based on uID architecture has been started by the Center for Better Living since 2007. In the system's scheme, manufacturers of battery-operated fire alarm units attach ucode tags to the units during shipping, and a complete history from delivery to installation, then to maintenance is being recorded and managed. Thus far, close to two million units have already been shipped with ucode tags, and positive results including the immediate recall of defective units have been reported by the operator.

Another real world example is Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project. This project has performed many feasibility study experiments on guidance for foreigners and assistance for the physically challenged by placing tags with ucodes in various locations around Ginza, and other places. The study results are now put into practical use for guidance at the Ueno Zoological Gardens and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings, and a regular service for tourists by Hato Bus, a sight-seeing bus operator, has started.

We believe 2010 will be the year when full-fledged practical application of ubiquitous computing will expand further. It is our hope that visitors to TRONSHOW2010 will experience the world of ubiquitous computing used for practical applications.

Ubiquitous computing is supported by technologies from T-Engine Project. T-Kernel developed by T-Engine Project has the leading-edge features based on the successful real-time operating system specifications coming out of the TRON project. T-Kernel family covers a wide range of processors including single chip CPUs as well as multi-core microprocessors, and can meet the needs of many applications. The basic concept of TRON Project is open architecture. "Open" is a theme which has been in the spotlight recently in IT industry. TRON Project has aimed for openness for nearly 30 years and has expanded its coverage of fields that are made open. We hope that visitors see the most advanced technology of T-Engine on the exhibition floor.

As in past TRONSHOW exhibitions before, TRON Enableware Symposium, "TEPS2010," which tackles the problem of supporting the physically challenged by using computers, will also be held with the theme of "Universal Design in Ubiquitous Computing Society."

Finally, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the following companies for their continuing support of TRON Project and T-Engine Project and the special sponsorship of TRONSHOW2010: Aplix Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., FUJITSU LIMITED, Hitachi, Ltd., NEC Corporation, PASCO Corporation, Personal Media Corporation, Renesas Technology Corp., SATO CORPORATION, Tokyo Midtown, TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD., Ubiquitous Computing Technology Corporation, YAZAKI CORPORATION, and Yokosuka Telecom Research Park, Inc. We also would like to thank all the exhibitors, and everyone who has helped us during the preparation of the exhibition. And we thank you, the visitors to TRONSHOW2010.