Research and Development Efforts and Directions

Mototaka Taneya
Executive Managing Officer
Chief Technical Officer,
Head of R&D
Head of Corporate Research &
Development Group,
President of SBPJ

The Corporate Research & Development Group works towards the mission of contributing to achieving a sustainable society by creating and expanding new businesses through the creation of a new ecosystem based on the world’s first and best unique technologies that impact society.

The group accelerates new business development in digital healthcare and strengthens efforts to contribute to carbon neutrality through collaboration and cooperation as One SHARP. In doing so, the group aims to implement ESG-focused management. Furthermore, the Corporate Research & Development Group pursues the creation of unique technologies by expanding industry digital transformation solutions through the application of AI technology, which is undergoing ongoing technological innovation.

The group focuses on creating innovative technologies that drive innovation throughout Sharp in addition to building platforms with our unique technologies. Through these efforts, the group aims to further strengthen our technological capabilities.

In addition, our open incubation activities include collaborating with companies that generate technological innovation and supporting startups in developing their businesses. Aiming to develop R&D results into new business areas, the Corporate Research & Development Group established a specialized task force within the group to pursue collaboration with internal and external parties and we are actively engaged in cross-industry co-creation centered on industry digital transformation.

The group aims to help make society both people and environmentally friendly by tackling the challenge of new business creation and accelerating innovation achievement through the rapid deployment in society of the fruits of development.

Intellectual Property Strategy

Sharp positions its intellectual property strategy as one of the most important management strategies, pursuing it together with business and R&D strategies. We work to enhance our business advantage and strengthen our management foundation by actively obtaining patents. In 2016, we spun off the Intellectual Property Department and established ScienBiziP Japan Co., Ltd. (SBPJ) with the aim of making the department a profit center. SBPJ has thorough knowledge of Sharp products, technologies, and businesses. Utilizing this knowledge, SBPJ will provide advanced services as the company further enforces improvements in the quality and efficiency of professional services. In doing so, SBPJ will enhance the driving force of intellectual property management and generate strong patents and various economic values with the advanced technologies of Sharp.

In regard to patent acquisition, Sharp clarifies the core technological fields for each of our businesses and works closely with the field to make strategic patent applications. We also actively work to obtain useful patents generated through alliances with other companies or industry-academia collaborations.