Key Points
- The “Web x IoT Makers Challenge PLUS” was held in Okayama, featuring a hands-on workshop in August and a competitive hackathon in September.
- Participants ranging from middle school students to professional engineers collaborated to create functional IoT prototypes using Raspberry Pi and JavaScript.
- The event emphasized the importance of “monozukuri” (making things), bridging the gap between theoretical university learning and practical, socially relevant application.
- A middle school student won the Grand Prize for a Momotaro-themed travel device, highlighting the high level of creativity and technical skill present in the regional youth community.
Full Transcript (English)
Masafumi Kondo (Professor, Okayama University): I really want you to express yourselves to the fullest. Over these four days, I want you to discuss within your teams, think deeply, and consider how to make your ideas truly interesting. Please work together to create something remarkable in the end.
Narrator: August 8th. The Web x IoT Makers Challenge PLUS in Okayama begins with a hands-on workshop.
Mentor: This event focuses on interoperability. It is an experiential event where you practically learn how to build IoT systems using web standard technologies.
Narrator: Through today and tomorrow’s hands-on sessions, participants aim to improve both their software and hardware skills to prepare for the upcoming hackathon.
Yasuyuki Nogami (Professor, Okayama University): University education can often become too theoretical. There is a dilemma where what is learned cannot be immediately transformed into a physical object or shape. However, in this era of IoT and DX (Digital Transformation), we can buy components and build things immediately. When young people realize they can turn their ideas into reality, it changes everything. Starting this journey at a young age is vital.
Narrator: Participants have various reasons for joining. Some want to learn new technologies, others want to build on past experiences, and many wish to create something alongside people from different backgrounds.
Inaba-san (Student, Okayama Prefectural University): A professor at my university suggested I try it, so I decided to give it a go. I have some experience with Arduino, which is different from the Raspberry Pi we are using here. Seeing how things are done with Raspberry Pi is very interesting. I hope to spend the next month inventing something fun.
Masaho-san (Student, Okayama University of Science): I participated last year but felt I couldn’t cooperate as well as I wanted. This year, I want to work harder, expand what I can do, and utilize the knowledge I gain effectively.
Ishizu-san (Middle School Student): I’ve been using Arduino and things like that at home recently. I started around middle school when I began to understand how they work.
Omasa-san (Ryobi Systems Co., Ltd.): There was an internal call for participants at my company. I’m in my first year, only four months in, so I asked to join. I’ve mostly focused on software until now, so I want to take this opportunity to learn hardware and bring home a finished, working product.
Nishikawa-san (Student, Okayama University): Usually, I just hang out with my usual group of friends, so hearing opinions from different people and collaborating is something I’m looking forward to.
Narrator: Some who started as participants eventually return as mentors to support new challengers. This environment fosters growth for both the students and those who guide them.
Ryoichi Sato (Assistant Professor, Okayama University of Science / Mentor): I first participated in 2020. Back then, I was a fourth-year university student. I’ve always loved making things and was interested in IoT. This is my fifth time as a mentor in Okayama. As a participant, you focus on your own contribution to the final product. As a mentor, you support everyone’s creative process. It’s about looking at the event from the perspective of how to make it a success. Combining different perspectives leads to new ideas. It’s exciting to see what can be created.
Narrator: September 20th. The hackathon phase of the Web x IoT Makers Challenge PLUS in Okayama reaches its climax.
Satoko Takita (Representative Director, WebDINO Japan): When we started this, we insisted on holding it in regional areas. We wanted to create a place where “geeks” and charismatic engineers—people you wouldn’t normally meet—could connect with local students and young people. Supporting these “unpolished diamonds” in regional areas is a key mission for us.
Tadashi Gomi (Konica Minolta, Inc.): I want people to enjoy the entire process of “monozukuri” without strictly separating software and hardware engineering. Making things is an integrated process. Seeing teams achieve a high level of completion through group work is our criteria for evaluation.
Satoko Takita: You realize that you can’t build something just with software or just with code. You need physical objects. When you try to solve a problem by connecting things to the internet, hardware becomes necessary. That requires design and craftsmanship. Students realize they need a diverse team to achieve their goals. It’s like a small startup. Even if they enter with friends, they find they need other skills to succeed. Utilizing the talented people around you to reach a goal is a vital skill in the professional world.
Narrator: Using the skills learned on the first day, teams create their works. They are tested not just on programming, but on their ability to identify problems, communicate ideas, and borrow knowledge from others.
Team “Yorimichizu” Presentation: We are introducing “Okatabi Friends,” a device to enjoy traveling in Okayama with a character. Okayama’s charm ranking is low, and many visitors are just day-trippers. This device acts like a local friend, talking to you and guiding you to unknown spots at your own pace. It includes temperature and step sensors, and a camera to share the scenery.
Team “Umbrellaman” Presentation: We developed the “Smart Umbrella.” Have you ever forgotten to hydrate on a hot day or felt unsafe on a dark road at night? This umbrella has a heatstroke prevention feature and a safety light. When the light sensor detects darkness, the inside of the umbrella glows white to keep the user safe.
Narrator: The presentations include both successful implementations and areas for improvement. The experience of turning an idea into a working prototype with teammates leads to the next challenge.
Ryoichi Sato: This was my first time participating as a participant in Okayama. Seeing everyone work, I realized how individual characteristics become important. When those traits align, you get a product that exceeds your imagination. It was tough, but we wanted to do everything we envisioned. It was a very fulfilling hackathon. Interacting with people from different backgrounds gave me new insights.
Okazaki-san (Grand Prize Winner / Middle School Student): We developed this in a very short time, but I’m so happy we could create something that really shines and win this award. There is a national competition coming up, so I want to do my best to win there as well. Please root for me. I’ve participated for the last two years after being invited by my school, but I lost both times. I wanted to get revenge this year, and I’m so glad we won the Grand Prize.
Yasuyuki Nogami: It was a lot of hard work. A few years ago, a team that was expected to win didn’t, and the members cried. It felt like the intensity of a high school baseball tournament. Seeing that passion again this year made me realize how much this means to the participants. This hackathon connects middle schoolers, university students, and professional engineers. Creating this meeting place where technology is the “spice” that brings people together is a wonderful thing. I want to continue doing this every year.
