This article is part of Day 13 of the KINTO Technologies Advent Calendar 2024

Hi, I’m Nakanishi from Learning Roadside Station. This year, the Learning Roadside Station project was officially launched and structured as an organization. As part of our initiatives, we also run an in-house podcast, and for this year’s Advent Calendar, we’d like to share more about it.

What is "Learning Roadside Station"?

“Learning Roadside Station” is a project aimed at making in-house study sessions, which are frequently held, more accessible and effective. The initiative is led by passionate volunteers within the company, with the goal of supporting study sessions and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing across the organization.

The KINTO Factory team's Automotive Study Group

The Learning Roadside Station Podcast features interviews with employees who organize study groups within the company. This segment is called "A Peek into the Study Session Next Door". This time, we interviewed Miura-san from the KINTO Factory Team.

Interview

Hoka-san: Thank you, Miura-san. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role?

Miura-san: Thank you very much. Officially, I am the Team Leader of the KINTO Factory Team, part of the Project Promotion Group in the Project Development Division. The KINTO Factory Team develops products not only with KTC but also in collaboration with KINTO's General Planning Department.

Hoka-san: For this interview, we’d like to focus on the fact that you are studying automobiles within the Factory Team. Could you tell us more about that?

Miura-san: First of all, I want everyone to enjoy their work. I believe that understanding the products we sell makes the work more engaging and rewarding. Since we handle automobile-related products, having technical knowledge about cars makes the development process even more enjoyable. Having a background in the automotive industry, I felt that sharing my knowledge would help us make better proposals, which is why I started the study group.

Hoka-san: How did you decide to share that knowledge?

Miura-san: We hold online study sessions. At first, session was for an hour, but now we've reduced it to 30 minutes and hold it once a month. Recently, we’ve been discussing the evolution of in-car networks and navigation systems.

Hoka-san: How have the participants responded to the study sessions?

Miura-san: Based on survey feedback, many participants found the information fresh and valuable since they wouldn’t normally come across such details in their daily work. The number of participants has not decreased, and they are listening with interest.

Hoka-san: How long have you been running these sessions?

Miura-san: At first, the sessions were one hour long, but now it’s 30 minutes and we hold them once a month.

Hoka-san: What topics have you covered in your study sessions so far?

Miura-san: Recently, we talked about the evolution of in-car networks and navigation systems. We also discussed how the automotive industry is evolving based on insights from CES in Las Vegas.

Hoka-san: Did you attend the CES in Las Vegas?

Miura-san: I wasn’t able to attend in person, but I shared my own thoughts based on the exhibition content that are open to the public on the Internet.

Hoka-san: Do you have any upcoming study sessions planned?

Miura-san: Next, we’ll be discussing the vehicle installation process. Using dealer manuals, we’ll explore how different parts are assembled and installed within vehicles.

Hoka-san: What should I do if I want to join the study sessions?

Miura-san: Our sessions are conducted online, so anyone interested is free to participate. We’re also working on creating a system to visualize and organize study session information for easier access.

Hoka-san: What inspired you to start the study group?

Miura-san: It started as a team-building initiative. Our group transitioned from a project team to a formal team, and I wanted to ensure that everyone had a deeper understanding of automobiles.

Hoka-san: Lastly, do you have a message for your colleagues?

Miura-san: Since we work in the automotive industry, I believe that deepening our knowledge on vehicles makes our work more enjoyable and meaningful. If you’re interested, I encourage you to join our study sessions!

Hoka-san: Thank you very much, Miura-san. I hope you will continue to share the fascinating world of automobiles with your colleagues through these study sessions.

This time, we shared insights about the Factory Team, the background to its operations, and future prospects. Please look forward to the next study session!