Founded as a Nishijin-ori obi (traditional Kyoto kimono sash) manufacturer, Mitsufuji Corporation aims to solve various social challenges through products that fuse traditional textile techniques with cutting-edge wearable IoT technology. By leveraging Bluetooth® connectivity’s low power consumption and cost-effective deployment and operation, Mitsufuji Corporation can ensure continuous biometric data communication across a range of markets, from healthcare to sports management.
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Ayumu Mitera, CEO of Mitsufuji Corporation, about the role Bluetooth technology plays in the company’s business transformation, and the potential for wearable IoT utilizing Bluetooth® technology to revolutionize healthcare to help create a healthier world.
Q&A with Ayumu Mitera from Mitsufuji Corporation
Why did Mitsufuji Corporation choose Bluetooth® technology to support its IoT products?
Bluetooth® connectivity lowers implementation barriers at deployment sites and keeps operational costs down. Smartphones allow data integration without the need for dedicated receivers or additional equipment, which is a significant advantage. Bluetooth technology supports low power consumption, making it ideal for wearable devices worn for extended periods, reducing running costs and making it easier for companies, municipalities, and other organizations to sustain long-term use on site.
How does Bluetooth technology help overcome challenges for wearable IoT that uses textiles as sensors and in biometric data communication?
A key challenge to wearables that utilize textiles as sensors is susceptibility to noise from the wearer’s body movements, which can cause gaps or fluctuations in vital sign data. Bluetooth® technology addresses this issue by enabling stable wireless connectivity over short distances, making it easier to achieve continuous data acquisition. For consumer applications and implementations in municipalities, schools, and similar settings, no additional communication fees are a critical requirement for sustained use. By leveraging the many advantages of Bluetooth® technology, we believe we can promote wider adoption of wearables that are accessible to everyone.
Are there any Bluetooth features that Mitsufuji is focusing on currently, or that you would like to see?
Our wearable solutions currently incorporate iBeacon reception functionality using Bluetooth LE. Vital data collected by the wearable, along with received iBeacon information, is transmitted to the cloud via a SIM embedded in the wearable. We use this vital data and iBeacon information to deliver useful recommendations to our customers.
As for features, we are focusing on future development. We are particularly interested in high-precision distance recognition through Bluetooth® Channel Sounding. In work site and facility monitoring, being able to understand where people are, who they are, and how close they are to one another directly contributes to improved safety and operational efficiency. To make on-site implementation even easier, we also hope to see greater standardization and wider adoption of internet connectivity mechanisms, including gateways and related infrastructure.
What potential do you see for wearable IoT utilizing Bluetooth technology in achieving a healthier world going forward?
Wearable IoT utilizing Bluetooth® technology holds significant value in its ability to continuously monitor physiological conditions. We believe it can become a social infrastructure that alerts users to warning signs before risks occur rather than responding after incidents happen. We have focused on proactive prevention in the field, such as heatstroke prevention for workers in extreme heat environments, providing monitoring solutions that anyone can easily use. In addition to monitoring in high-stress environments, we aim to expand deployment to municipalities, schools, and other settings. By leveraging the various advantages of Bluetooth® technology, we want to contribute to realizing a society where safety measures are accessible to all.
Learn more about how Bluetooth is helping to create a healthier world.
