Hello. My name is Kaishu Ishiharada, and I am a 2nd year student at ICT. I want to talk about our class, "Engineering Design II." In this class, we have two teams. The Agri-Business team grows "KOSEN Beniharuka" sweet potatoes to make a profit. The Tech team uses technology to protect the farm from wild animals like monkeys. I am a member of the Tech Team.

The Tech group has three teams: IoT, Drone, and Rover. We want to make a system to protect the farm. First, the IoT system watches for monkeys. Then, it sends a message to the user’s phone. After that, we use a drone to drive the animals away. If it is raining and the drone cannot fly, we use a robot called Rover.

IoT team

The IoT team makes the communication system. This year, they changed to a new message service because the old message service went out of service. They built the new system, but next year they need to test it more to see if it is useful in daily life.

Drone team

The Drone team uses drones to stop the animals. This year, they changed some parts on the drone. The old parts were difficult to program, so they put in new parts that were easier to program to better control the drone. In the future, they want the drone to fly and use its camera.

Rover team

The Rover team started last year. We use the rover when the weather is bad. This year, we improved the rover using what we learned in math and physics classes. In the second semester, we made a waterproof cover for the rain. It was a new challenge and very difficult, but we made a prototype after talking with our teachers and classmates.

I was a member of the Rover team and helped design the reduction gear. The old rover was too fast, and the vibration loosened the screws. So, I designed gears to make the motor slower. I am usually on the Robocon team and work on electronics, so mechanical design was hard for me. I had to choose the right gears and think about the velocity. It was difficult, but I learned the basics of mechanical design. I want to use this experience in my future work.

I hope the next students will continue our work and complete the system. Thank you for reading.

Kaishu Ishiharada

Hello! This is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku office. Today, I would like to introduce the final presentations of the 1st year Engineering Design IB course, held on Friday, January 30th, 2026.
In the 1st year Engineering Design I course, students spent the entire year working toward the goal of creating things that are useful to people. In the second semester, students were divided into six teams. Through interviews with target users and other research activities, they identified underlying problems and needs, developed devices to solve them, and presented their ideas.
The six teams chose their project topics from the following facilities: the hot spring “Hime no Yu,”, the school gym, the Maker Studio, and the laboratory.

【Maker Studio: Pika-Pika Cleaner】

This team developed the Pika-Pika Cleaner, a cleaning device for the various machines in the Maker Studio. The Maker Studio is where students work on a variety of manufacturing and robotics activities. Students who are involved in Robocon use it almost every day.
Because of the wide variety of machine shapes and mechanisms, cleaning them requires significant time and effort, which has been an issue for both faculty and students who manage the space. To solve this problem, the team created a cleaning device equipped with three tools:

Rotating Brush: A spinning brush is attached allowing fine debris to be removed even from hard to reach areas.
Long Brush: Available in two sizes to collect scattered debris efficiently.
Lubrication Unit: Dispenses and replenishes machine oil, helping maintain machine performance, longevity, and precision.

Previously, users had to switch between different tools depending on the machine part they were cleaning. With the Pika-Pika Cleaner, it is possible to use a single device to clean machine parts more efficiently.

【Laboratory: Lab Helper】

This team interviewed with the faculty member in charge of the chemistry course, who manages the laboratory. They found that students often asked the same questions repeatedly, such as how to use equipment, where items were stored, how to clean up after experiments, or what procedures to follow. This often required students to wait until the instructor was available.
To solve this issue, the team created a website that consolidates all essential laboratory information in one place. On this website, users can check safety precautions and procedures for conducting experiments, and students can also submit questions directly to the instructor. In addition, it includes a feature that allows students to record and share what they learned during experiments, enabling them to exchange knowledge with one another. Furthermore, to ensure safe operation during experiments, the tablet case is made of acrylic, allowing students to use the touchscreen even while wearing laboratory gloves.

【Gym: TEE SWEEPER】

This team interviewed Health and Physical Education instructor Philip Cadzow sensei. Through the interview, they identified several issues related to cleaning the training equipment in the gym. Users had to hold a cloth and a spray bottle separately, making the cleaning process inconvenient because both hands were occupied. In addition, the cloths did not dry quickly, which made them unhygienic.
To address these problems, the students developed a portable cleaning device that integrates the spray bottle and the wiping tool into a single unit. They designed an easy to grip handle for one handed use and attached a fast drying sponge to the wiping section. Furthermore, they created a mechanism that automatically refills the remaining spray liquid, resulting in a more efficient and hygienic cleaning tool.

【Gym: PYM】

This team interviewed Philip sensei about the issues occurring in the gymnasium. Through the interview, they discovered that although the gym was sometimes left in a messy state and could not be used by other students, it was impossible to identify who had caused the mess. Therefore, a system to track gym usage was needed.
To solve this problem, the students developed a tracking system that manages entries and exits from the gym. When a student holds their ID card over a scanner, a buzzer and LED light indicate that the scan has been completed. To make the scanning process easier, the team also used a laser cutter to create a dedicated 80cm tall stand for mounting the card reader. Furthermore, when a student scans their card, their name is automatically recorded on a website, allowing users to check who used the gym and at what time. This system made it possible to track gym usage accurately.

【Hot Spring “Hime no Yu”: Bye-Bye Stink Bugs】

This team focused on the issue of stink bugs inside the hot spring facility, based on interviews with the staff and observations of the site. Stink bugs are commonly found in mountainous areas and are attracted to warm places. Because they emit a strong and distinctive odor, they can be unpleasant for both guests and staff.
To keep the facility clean and comfortable, the students developed a device that allows stink bugs to be removed easily without having to touch them directly. The device uses fruit, which stink bugs are attracted to, as bait placed inside the container. After this, a double layered sliding lid mechanism then causes the stink bugs to fall into a water chamber below.

【Hot Spring “Hime no Yu”: 3D Facility Model】

This team learned from interviews with the hot spring staff and on-site observations that there was a need for a clear and effective way to explain how to use the hot spring facility especially for people who have never visited a hot spring before and for international guests.
The students created an easy-to-understand explanatory tool by modeling the layout of the onsen facility and presenting it visually. They also added guidance in both Japanese and English so that anyone can understand it easily. A visitor to the onsen can consult a list and if they have questions about a specific part they can press a button next to the item on the list that relates to the question. Then an LED light flashes to indicate where in the layout of facility is related to the guidance. The LED light also indicated the location of various amenities within the onsen. In addition to providing useful information about the onsen, it also allows users to understand the layout of the onsen at a glance.

In the previous semester’s team project, the students observed their daily lives and identified “the item they use every day that they find the most inconvenient.” They then devised ways to solve those personal challenges. Throughout the project, they encountered differences of opinion and various difficulties within their groups, and I think they developed the ability to collaborate while accepting and working through those challenges.
In the second semester, with newly formed teams and the experience gained from the first semester, the students were able to better understand what they could contribute and in what situations they could make the most of their strengths. They worked together in ways that allowed each student to utilize their individual abilities effectively.
I look forward to seeing how the students will continue to grow and what they will achieve in next year’s Engineering Design course.

Yuri Makada

Hello! I'm Kotori Mae, a 2nd year student at the International College of Technology.
This time, I'd like to introduce part of our Engineering Design IIB (ED) class.
First, in the 2nd year ED course, we engage in activities aimed at regional revitalization. As part of this, we cultivated Beni Haruka sweet potatoes in the fields and learned about business while selling roasted sweet potatoes at the Roadside Station Sena. Then, aiming to expand new sales channels, we collaborated with Kuru,ru. in Ono to sell Kosen Beni Haruka sweet potatoes baked in clay pots and original goods at the end of November.

The Kosen Beni Haruka project in ED has been passed down and refined by seniors from the second cohort, but initiatives like collaborations were new to us. Despite some nerves, we put a lot of effort into creating a new logo for the collaboration and expanding our merchandise lineup.

Kuru,ru. specializes in clay pot-baked sweet potatoes, and this time we borrowed their method to sell Kosen Beni Haruka sweet potatoes baked in clay pots. We sampled them ourselves and found that even though they were the same Beni Haruka variety, they were creamier and sweeter, really highlighting the difference between regular baking and pot baking.

Furthermore, building on improvements made since our sales at Roadside Station Sena, we sold merchandise as capsule toys this time. Seeing the children who came to the store excitedly saying, “I hope I get this one!” or “This one's cute!” while excitedly spinning the capsule toy machines. Seeing increased recognition not just for the baked sweet potatoes but for the Kosen Beni Haruka characters themselves really boosted the brand, which made us very happy. Also, the people who visited our shop showed great interest not only in the sweet potatoes but in the ICT itself. We were able to share information about our initiatives and the college in Ono, creating opportunities to talk about each other's regions and fostering valuable exchanges.

As a side note, since we took turns selling, we had time to explore Ono during breaks. The folks at Kuru,ru. lent us rental bikes, so we cycled along the coast and tried Ono's famous soy sauce soft serve. Experiencing this unique Ono tourism made me realize anew, “We've successfully spread our Kosen Beni Haruka brand to a new place.”

As the business team, it was rewarding to directly contribute to regional revitalization and gain sales experience while still in technical college school. The Kuru,ru. staff actively communicated with customers visiting the shop. They also kindly shared tips with us about pot-roasting and roasting sweet potatoes, engaging in conversations. Seeing their attitude of enjoying interactions with various people while sharing the same goal of regional revitalization made me realize that simply selling isn't enough. Even small exchanges create opportunities to learn about each other's regions and highlight the importance of communication. I want to apply this lesson to our future regional revitalization activities. We also sold roasted sweet potatoes at the Platinum Festival and came up with special menu items for our visitors. I was really happy that so many people enjoyed it!

Kotori Mae

Project 1：Creating Name Tags

Hello everyone, this is Brandon Wohlfarth, one of the Engineering Design teachers for the 1st year students. Within our Engineering Design course here at ICT, students get the chance to work on a wide range of projects, but to help “introduce” the students to the design process, their first project was to create individualized nametags.

There were some criteria that the students needed to follow during the project: their nametag needed to be able to be worn, it needed to fit within a certain volume, it needed to be made using the 3D printers and/or laser cutters that we have here at Hakusanroku Campus, and it needed to visually show important characteristics about the designer.

During this project students walked through how to come up with ideas, practiced prototyping, and learned about the connections between features and functions. This project culminated in a presentation where the students were able to “introduce” their nametags to their classmates, and practice their English-speaking skills.

What I enjoy the most about Engineering Design is that, unlike tests and quizzes, there isn’t just one right answer to how to solve the problem. It was very interesting to see how the students decided to approach the challenge ahead of them. Many students focused on creating something that helped introduce their hobbies, or maybe a certain source of media that they enjoyed, allowing them to add parts of their personality into their final creation. This is just the first design experience for the students, so I am looking forward to where they go from here.

Project 2：Solving Problems through Teamwork

Within the first semester the first-year students also worked on a team project in Engineering Design IA. The goal of this project is for students to observe the world around them and identify the “Worst thing that they use everyday” and try to find a solution their individual pain points regarding the topic selected. An aspect of this project that I enjoy seeing is how students perceive and approach different challenges or inconveniences that they experience in their daily life. Each group tackled a very different problem, but they still needed to understand how an object is used, what are important features needed to complete a desired function, and a little about how people are an important part in designing a new product. We always get some interesting projects when we do this activity, so I am excited to share them all with you.

1. Ukusta

This group decided to take on the challenge of designing a new stand for the ukuleles found in the Living Commons at the Hakusanroku Campus. They wanted to make something that would stabilize the instrument while also helping to improve the visual aesthetics of the space.

2. Nosepads

This group decided to devise an adjustable attachment that could fit with various glasses or sunglasses, in order to help match the shape and contour of different noses. Due to the size that this type of attachment would need to be, for demonstration purposes only, their prototype was an enlarged version of their design.

3. The Tangle Terminator

This group decided to envision a way to help organize their laptop charging cables to improve upon its ability to be stored inside of a backpack, as most students do. They found that inside of the backpack, the cables tended to become tangled easily, which lead them to address this issue within the scope of portability.

4. Magnamewash

This group wanted to find a way to help organize the use of the laundry facilities within the Hakusanroku Campus dormitories. They wanted to help solve the issues of not knowing who is using what machine in an easy to install, easy to use way that would transfer information quickly and clearly.

5. Sortaro

This group found that sorting trash can be a difficult and time-consuming activity, and as someone who even after years of living in Japan still has challenges understanding this system I can relate. They wanted to make something that would still properly sort various types of garbage, but be in one easy to use location.

6. Shampoo Guardian Project

This group wanted to address the lack of shelving space within the showers at the Hakusanroku Campus dormitory. They wanted something that could be used within the shower stalls on campus, that was easy to carry and to access the various bottles that they wanted to use while showering.

I am looking forward to what they do in the second semester!

Brandon Wohlfarth

 Hello, this is Arihiro Kodaka, and I am in charge of Engineering Design II for 2nd year students. At ICT, we place great importance on practical learning in collaboration with the local community. In Engineering Design II, students tackle agricultural challenges faced by the region and explore solutions from both technological and business perspectives. The Tech Team provides technical support for wildlife damage prevention to protect sweet potatoes, while the Business Team works to revitalize the community by marketing the protected sweet potatoes as a local brand product.

 In this class, students are expected to accurately understand the current situation, identify new approaches to revitalizing the local community, and establish clear design objectives to realize those ideas. To achieve this, it is essential for them to gain a multifaceted understanding of the significance and impact of cultivating crops in this region, as well as the resources and effort required. As a first step, the entire class participated in creating ridges in the field, planting sweet potatoes, and installing electric fences to prevent wildlife damage.

Please also refer to the Hakusanroku Journal written by President Maasaki Shikada,
“2nd Year Engineering Design: Beniharuka Sweet Potato Planting (May 26th, 2025)"

 Although it was already mid-April this year, more than 50cm of snow remained in the field, and the temperatures were still low, making it difficult to plant the seedlings. However, thanks to a miraculous period of continuous rain, the snow melted just in time for the scheduled delivery of the seedlings, allowing us to proceed with planting. However, the temperatures this spring were in the low 10℃, which was quite cold and not ideal for root development or growth. The seedlings didn’t look very healthy, and I was worried. Fortunately, in May, the temperatures finally started to rise, and I was relieved to see the seedlings beginning to grow.

 Even after the seedlings had taken root, we continued to monitor their condition. This year, I noticed that some seedlings had been pulled out. Upon researching online, we found reports indicating that newly planted seedlings can be an easy target for crows, which may be what happened in our field as well. Additionally, we observed that the electric fence had become loose due to the wire mesh getting caught on the binding wire used to secure it to the poles. Next year, we plan to install a camera to closely monitor what happens in the field after planting. We will be selling sweet potatoes again this year, so please enjoy our exceptionally sweet Kosen Beniharuka!

Arihiro Kodaka