Preface

Realizing Sustainable Future for Konica Minolta, Customers, and Society through Core Technology x AI

Konica Minolta, Inc. Director, Executive Vice President & Executive Officer
Responsible for Industrial Business

NORIYASU KUZUHARA

Konica Minolta is entering the final year of its Medium-term Business Plan (2023–2025), expects a significant improvement in its business foundation in FY2025, and will transition into a phase of accelerated growth. In this Technology Report, we introduce a selection of initiatives that contribute to linking a sustainable society with our sustainable corporate value through technology seeding enabled by the integration of our core technologies and AI, and through co-creation with customers. We will continue to relentlessly pursue technological advancement and contribute to the sustainability of our customers and society.

Reports

• Articles

  • 1. PFAS-free water-repellent and antismudge coating technology for environmental safety

    • Kazuki TAJI
    • Akinori KOJIMA
    • Yosuke INOUE
    • Hiroki NARITA
    • Shumpei HITOSUGI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 1

    PFAS-free water-repellent and stain-resistant coating technology achieves high repellency through micro-/nano-scale surface texturing and surface chemical modification, while reducing environmental impact and delivering performance comparable to fluorinated materials.

  • 2. Development of a Video Analysis Method for Paper Feed Dynamics and Its Application to Finisher Unit

    • Ryuji SATO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 2

    This paper explains a method for visualizing and analyzing paper transport using a high-speed camera. It introduces an evaluation approach that quantitatively measures paper behavior without contact and supports optimization of mechanical design and control parameters.

  • 3. Next-generation Intelligent Media Sensor System: Automating Operations and Enhancing Productivity through Paper Type Identification

    • Takahiro TSUJIMOTO
    • Akinori KIMATA
    • Takaki UEMURA
    • Masahiro KAMIYA
    • Hiroaki TAKATSU

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 3

    The Intelligent Media Sensor uses optical and ultrasonic technologies to automatically identify paper types and apply optimal print settings. It helps prevent jams and image defects while reducing setup time to boost productivity.

  • 4. Development and Application of an AI-Assisted Technology Portfolio Visualization Process

    • Kazuki SHIBATA
    • Haruki MINAMI
    • Ippei ENOKIDA
    • Toru SAKUMA
    • Mio WATANABE
    • Takumi ISHIWATA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 4

    We present a case study in which generative AI was leveraged to inventory internal technical assets, reducing person-dependent processes and workload associated with the inventory, while enabling the visualization of technologies that emerge across organizational boundaries.

• Highlights

  • 5. Barrier Film Technology for Perovskite Solar Cells

    • Yusuke NAKAJIMA
    • Hikaru YAGI
    • Kazuki TAJI
    • Kouji OZAKI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 5

    Barrier film technology for perovskite solar cells blocks moisture ingress to prevent degradation and improve durability. It extends device lifetime and supports faster commercialization toward decarbonization.

  • 6. Detection systems of overproducing microbial strains using hyperspectral imaging and anomaly detection model

    • Yu WATARI
    • Benshuai GUO
    • Wataru KITAGAWA
    • Takehiko SAHARA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 6

    This high-producing strain detection system uses hyperspectral imaging and anomaly-detection AI to non-destructively analyze agar colonies and automatically identify high-producing strains. It reduces screening workload and accelerates strain development.

  • 7. Introduction to Water-Based Inkjet Technology Transforming Food Packaging Processes

    • Naoto NIIZUMA
    • Takenori OMATA
    • Akio MAEDA
    • Natsumi KIRIISHI
    • Takashi KITANO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 7

    Aqueous inkjet technology enables direct printing on packaging films, eliminating the need for labels in food packaging. This reduces material usage, streamlines operations, and enhances both environmental sustainability and production efficiency.

  • 8. Introduction of Pretreatment Ink for Reactive Dye O’ROBE

    • Yusuke KUROGI
    • Kenji GOTOU
    • Masashi IKEDA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 8

    “O’ROBE,” Japan’s first inline pretreatment inkjet ink for reactive dyes, shortens pretreatment to reduce energy consumption, environmental impact, and improve operational efficiency. This paper introduces the key technologies.

  • 9. Innovation in Photoconductor Coating and Expansion of Gas Monitoring Applications through Integration with FORXAI Technology

    • Hiroki TAKAO
    • Yoshiaki HIRAHARA
    • Kiyoshi HIRAOKA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 9

    Konica Minolta photoconductors integrate FORXAI gas monitoring to reduce waste and cost, lowering environmental impact through advanced coating technology.Furthermore, by applying FORXAI gas monitoring technology, it can help suppress VOC emissions and ensure worker safety across a wide range of industries. It also enables the transformation of development and production sites from reliance on experience and intuition to evidence-based methods.

  • 10. Supporting Methane Emission Reduction: Development of the Gas Visualization and Quantification Camera “GMP03”

    • Keisuke TATEBAYASHI
    • Shohei IWAMOTO
    • Motohiro ASANO
    • Takashi MORIMOTO
    • Suguru AMANO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 10

    The handheld gas leak inspection system “GMP03” visualizes hydrocarbon gases such as methane using an infrared camera and enables quantitative measurement of leakage volume. Compared to our previous model, “GMP02,” the GMP03 offers enhanced visibility of low-concentration gas and adds representative values and confidence levels to the quantified results. These improvements allow for more objective evaluation of inspection outcomes and significantly enhance overall usability.

  • 11. AccurioPress C14010S：Automation and Process Control Technologies Supporting Diverse Expressions and Stable Operation

    • Yuji HAYASHI
    • Tsutomu ANEZAKI
    • Shimpei KANAMORI
    • Akihiko SHIMAZU

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 11

    AccurioPress C14010S supports diverse media applications with white toner capability and advanced automation for stable operation. Delivering up to 120 A4 pages per minute (single-sided) with high-quality output, it creates new value for commercial printing.

  • 12. Improving Diaphragm Detection Performance of dynamic radiography analysis DM-MODE using AI Segmentation

    • Daisuke MURAKAMI
    • Hirotake MINAMI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 12

    DM-MODE on a dynamic radiography analysis workstation tracks diaphragm motion during respiration to help assess respiratory function. This paper discusses limitations of contrast-based recognition and presents AI-driven improvements in diaphragm detection accuracy.

  • 13. Introduction to the Nerve Cross-Sectional Area Measurement Function in the Diagnostic Ultrasound System

    • Kensuke SHIGENAGA
    • Yoshihiro TAKEDA
    • Shinichiro OGIWARA
    • Masumi OSUGI
    • Takashi KIMOTO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 13

    This diagnostic ultrasound system uses AI-based nerve segmentation to semi-automatically measure nerve cross-sectional area on ultrasound images. It improves workflow efficiency in orthopedic practice, including carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation.

  • 14. Introduction to Plain Radiography Workflow “RAD Link”

    • Yuki TOMIYAMA
    • Kazuhiro ONO
    • Shuuhei MORI
    • Masaki SUNAGAWA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 14

    RAD Link connects X-ray systems with IT solutions to show prior retake data and create irradiation records, supporting efficient radiography workflows.

  • 15. Hybrid Infrared Imaging System Combining Metalens and Refractive Lens

    • Masaki IWAMA
    • Mitsuru YOKOYAMA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 15

    The next-generation optical element, the metalens now under development, enables compact, cost-effective, high-performance far-infrared cameras. Leveraging proprietary design software and a fully integrated in-house manufacturing facility, we deliver high-speed, high-precision metalens prototyping.

  • 16. Introduction to the Illuminance Spectrophotometer ‘CL-700A’

    • Toshio KAWANO
    • Hironori CHONO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 16

    CL-700A is a compact instrument designed for measuring illuminance and spectral characteristics across a wide range of applications. It supports indoor and outdoor lighting evaluation, as well as brightness and color management of light sources used in optical equipment adjustment and inspection, and wavelength control for near-infrared applications. The CL-700A enhances the accuracy and efficiency of light-source management in laboratories and production lines.

  • 17. Exploring the development of industry-specific speech recognition engines

    • Kengo FUJII
    • Masashi SONOYAMA
    • Yuki SHINOHARA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 17

    We introduce speech recognition engines for industry-specific translation services in the medical, tourism, and local government sectors. In such industry-specific services, recognition accuracy for specialized terminology and Japanese speech is particularly important. Therefore, further improvements in speech recognition accuracy are required.

  • 18. Early Detection of Procurement Risks Using Multi-Agent Systems

    • Tomoya FUKUDA
    • Kengo FUJII
    • Masashi SONOYAMA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 18

    AI for Early Detection of Procurement Risks is a mechanism in which multiple AI agents automatically collect news that could lead to procurement risks, then generate summaries and determine the level of importance before delivering the information to users. This significantly reduces the effort required for information gathering and supports rapid and accurate initial response to procurement risks.

  • 19. Development of an AI-based Video Analysis System for Estimating Assembly Work Time and Challenges in Improving Manufacturing Sites

    • Ryo MORITA
    • Yoshihiro MURAJI
    • An SONG
    • Naoki FUNABASHI
    • Minaki TSUNEOKA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 19

    An AI system automatically estimates assembly work time from video by tracking worker skeletal motion and detecting task start/end times. It helps identify bottlenecks and reduce cycle time, and is being applied to improve our internal manufacturing processes.

  • 20. Reliability of Inorganic Analysis through ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Accreditation Efforts

    • Sadatoshi NISHIBUCHI
    • Eri MATSUI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 20

    This paper introduces Konica Minolta’s Inorganic Analysis Team and its initiatives to ensure reliable environmental and internal analyses. As an ISO/IEC 17025–accredited testing laboratory, the team continuously improves technical capabilities to provide customers with safety and assurance.

  • 21. Accelerating IP DX through Generative AI Utilization

    • Masayuki KUSUDA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 21

    Our in-house generative AI powers IP DX applications that streamline pre-filing patent searches, technology trend analysis, and specification drafting. Deployed to internal R&D/IP teams and domestic patent firms to boost IP productivity.

  • 22. Visualizing Customer Relationships with Engagement Monitoring

    • Emi MIYAZAWA
    • Hiromi KOUNO
    • Shinsuke IKEDA
    • Yui KITAMURA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 22

    Measure B2B customer engagement to improve CX and maximize LTV. This paper visualizes customer relationships, analyzes eight key drivers, and evaluates satisfaction across the customer journey.

  • 23. Enhancing Persuasiveness in Proposal Documents through 3D Model Utilization

    • Midori MIYAMOTO
    • Kenichiro UCHIHARA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 23

    Leveraging 3D models addresses challenges in creating UX scenes in PowerPoint. 3D characters and product 3D models support clear communication and efficient document creation through consistent visuals.

• Reprinted Articles

  • 24. 新規開発の再生プラスチックの特徴とその事例

    Kousuke NAKAMURA・Mari UEDA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 24

    Matelier is a total solution for recycled plastics. This paper introduces our upcycling technologies and applications—from office equipment exteriors to deployments in our products and other companies’ products.

  • 25. Development of a High Anthraquinone-Producing Escherichia coli Strain Using Malonyl-CoA Supply Pathway Engineering

    Takatoshi SUEMATSU・Manami TAKAMA・Itsuki TOMITA・Shumpei ASAMIZU・Takahiro BAMBA・Tomohisa HASUNUMA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 25

    This paper reports engineering E. coli for higher anthraquinone production by improving malonyl-CoA supply. It combines a malonate assimilation pathway with enhanced endogenous malonyl-CoA biosynthesis to boost productivity.

  • 26. 特徴空間における位置情報を条件付けに用いた拡散モデルの生成制御手法

    Keisuke HAYATA

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 26

    Konica Minolta proposes introducing positional information in the image feature space as new conditioning information. We confirmed that this enables generation of images that are higher in quality and better aligned with the specified conditions than conventional methods.

  • 27. Prediction of BPSD Onset Using Multimodal Sensors: A Study on Dementia Patients in Long-Term Care

    Hao HAN・Masaharu HATANO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 27

    Konica Minolta is developing an AI model to predict BPSD risk using non-contact monitoring data (HitomeQ Care Support Solution) and environmental sensors. Early detection can help reduce caregiver burden.

  • 28. InsAT: 周囲の物体や他者との関係を考慮する キーポイントベース行動認識

    Kazuki TSUTSUGAWA・Koshiro NAGANO・Fumiaki SATO

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 28

    InsAT is an advanced action recognition technology that analyzes not only human motion but also the surrounding environment and interpersonal relationships. By learning from situational and contextual information, it captures complex behaviors that conventional methods struggle to detect, delivering highly accurate action recognition.

  • 29. Investigation of Annotation Cost Reduction in Temporal Action Segmentation for Assembly Tasks Using Text Information

    Yusuke KISHI・Ryo MORITA・Ryoya KOZAI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 29

    This technology uses textual information and written work instructions to segment assembly-task videos into process-level units. It improves work analysis efficiency and reduces training annotation by supporting practical action recognition.

  • 30. Flexible Optical Tactile Force Sensor to Conduct Measurements From the Back of the Hand

    Kosuke ANDO・Minon KUSHIHASHI・Hiroshi KAWAGUCHI・Shintaro IZUMI

    KONICA MINOLTA Technol. Rep. 2026, 23, 30

    A flexible optical tactile sensor worn on the back of the hand measures contact force without disrupting natural touch. It estimates pressure, force direction, and pulse waves simultaneously for applications in AR/VR, healthcare, and sports.