Communication is easy to take for granted until it breaks down. Migration, ageing and the lingering effects of the covid-19 crisis have exposed how fragile communication can be. A 2021 study from Washington University in St Louis found that face masks reduced speech intelligibility by around 30% in noisy places like coffee shops and offices1.
Such experiences can deepen isolation for people who already find communication hard, including those with hearing impairments. The WHO estimates that a quarter of people over 60 have disabling hearing loss2, and as populations age, that barrier highlights the importance of mutual understanding in daily life. Communication barriers also spring up as travel and migration make countries more linguistically diverse.
Kyocera Document Solutions has always been inspired by the potential of technology to enrich how people live together, and it believes artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to aid social participation. Since 2021 it has been developing Cotopat3, a speech-recognition platform that converts spoken language into real-time subtitles on screens, with options to translate in real time4. The display shows not only subtitles and translations, but also diagrams and videos based on the content.
“Kyocera Document Solutions has always been inspired by the potential of technology to enrich how people live together, and it believes artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to aid social participation."
Economist Impact
Economist Impact
Earlier communication solutions, such as written notes or interpreters, can be slow or leave people reliant on others. Keisuke Koyama, an executive officer and senior general manager of the corporate marketing division at Kyocera Document Solutions, says AI enables new solutions and “direct, rapid communication.”
Cotopat, for example, is robust enough even for complex contexts such as schools and workplaces, which “increases people’s autonomy and reduces barriers to social participation, contributing to the realization of a symbiotic society where diverse people can thrive into reality,” says Mr. Koyama.
"AI enables new solutions and “direct, rapid communication.”
Keisuke Koyama, executive officer and senior general manager, corporate marketing division, Kyocera Document Solutions
In talking of symbiosis, he refers to the Japanese concept of kyosei, which can also be translated as “coexistence”—a core part of the Kyocera Group’s management philosophy5. “Harmonious coexistence is the underlying foundation of all our business activities as we work to create a world of prosperity and peace,” says one official statement of the company’s values. The word also applies to contemporary notions of social diversity, recognizing mutual acceptance between people who differ along lines including gender, ethnicity and ability6.
Cotopat, in action
Education is an important field where Cotopat is having a positive social impact. At Doshisha University in Kyoto, the student support division uses it as a real-time subtitling solution that projects the words on an acrylic screen, letting students with hearing impairments easily follow conversations while keeping their eyes on the speaker. Meanwhile, international students can use translation features to overcome language barriers. In both cases, the technology supports independent participation in academic life.
Cotopat also helps the university comply with Japan’s Act for the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities7, which requires organizations to take measures to remove barriers to participation. Beyond compliance, the system is broadening access to education and future employment for students who might otherwise be disadvantaged by communication difficulties. In time, this will boost diversity in Japanese workplaces.
Cotopat can also be seen in action at Kyocera’s Customer Experience Studio in Milan. The platform is available there as a tool to aid communication with visitors from the region, overcoming language barriers and hearing difficulties where they exist.
“Europe is characterized by linguistic and cultural diversity,” says Toshikazu Kawauchi, a manager in Kyocera Document Solutions’ global solutions planning division. “In addition, accessibility-related regulations have been enacted, placing strong practical demands on public administrations and businesses.” The European Union (EU) Charter of Fundamental Rights requires that EU institutions be able to communicate with the union’s nationals in any of the 24 official languages8.
But millions of migrants across Europe speak other languages, ranging from Turkish to Berber and Punjabi9. he continent is also experiencing population ageing, which adds to existing communication challenges. “For these reasons, communication support that can be used immediately on-site and is easy for anyone to use is particularly necessary,” says Mr. Toshikazu.
“Europe is characterized by linguistic and cultural diversity … For these reasons, communication support that can be used immediately on-site and is easy for anyone to use is particularly necessary.”
Toshikazu Kawauchi, manager, global solutions planning division, Kyocera Document Solutions
The firm’s speech-recognition solution is marked by an emphasis on visual communication, business applicability, accuracy and accessibility10. By enabling users to maintain eye contact and see facial expressions during conversation, it aims to help people read situations and emotions and respond naturally, enabling kuuki o yomu, the Japanese concept that translates into “reading air”, and refers to the essential ability to understand subtle, often unspoken social cues to act appropriately and considerately in everyday situations.
Looking ahead, further advancements in AI could make sign language and gesture recognition practical in this field, bringing spoken, signed and written communication together.
Towards a symbiotic society, for the world around us
“Through its innovations, Kyocera Document Solutions strives to minimize environmental burden, aid social participation, and to promote a more inclusive, sustainable society through AI-enabled services and products.”
Economist Impact
Helping people read the room advances the realization of a symbiotic society and puts Kyocera’s broader ethos
Kyocera Document Solutions’ new sustainability message, “For the world around us”, builds on this spirit, reflecting a moral commitment to recognize and harness the bond between human minds by acting unselfishly; Cotopat is testament of the slogan in action. Through its innovations, Kyocera Document Solutions strives to minimize environmental burden, aid social participation, and to promote a more inclusive, sustainable society through AI-enabled services and products.
This article was produced by EI Studios for Kyocera Document Solutions.
- From AI intent to action – Economist Impact report
- Communication without barriers: speech recognition for a symbiotic society
- Explore the Economist Impact infographic