Sharing the Vision Behind Space Jimny at Misakubo Junior High School

03/25/2025　Corporate Activities, Digital Printing

Roland DG, in collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation and ALTILAN Inc., held a joint lecture at Hamamatsu Municipal Misakubo Junior High School on January 23, 2025. The lecture covered the reasons behind the three-company collaboration, the possibilities of open innovation, a hands-on sticker-making experience using Roland DG’s inkjet printers, and a close-up look at the Space Jimny.
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Exploring the potential of open innovation

Misakubo Junior High School is located in the mountainous Misakubo district, approximately 70 km from central Hamamatsu. All 18 students of the school participated in the lecture, where they learned about the planning process of the Space Jimny project and the excitement of working with many people.

The first speaker, Kazuki Ohtaki from Suzuki, began by describing space as “a vast roof covering infinite time and space.” He emphasized the importance of companies and organizations collaborating beyond their boundaries.

He also explained that the Jimny was originally launched in 1970 as a vehicle designed for people working in mountainous areas, making it a product born from the unique needs of regions like Misakubo. The day of the lecture, he drove the Space Jimny from downtown Hamamatsu and spoke about how well it handled the mountain roads.

Next, Hikaru Nagatoshi from ALTILAN Inc. introduced his company as a new venture founded last year in Hamamatsu with the goal of developing space-related businesses. He shared ALTILAN’s vision of making space travel accessible to everyone and highlighted the significance of collaborating with Hamamatsu-based companies. This project also utilized AI to expand ideas and explore new possibilities in realizing the concept of Space Jimny.

Finally, a representative from Roland DG introduced the company’s purpose: “To Empower Creativity and Excitement Worldwide.” He explained that Roland DG values the diverse imaginations of individuals and seeks to create excitement through creativity.

Reflecting on the project, he explained how by combining their technologies and expertise, the three companies were able to accomplish something beyond individual capabilities, sparking new ideas. He highlighted the role of Roland DG’s technology in realizing the Space Jimny and emphasized how cross-industry collaboration can lead to unexpected and diverse innovations. He concluded that this embodies the essence of “open innovation,” a key concept for the future, and expressed their ambition to further energize the Hamamatsu business community through continued collaboration.

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  Misakubo Junior High School where the lecture was held

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  Scene from the lecture

Sticker-making and Space Jimny exploration

Following the lecture, students took part in a sticker-making workshop and explored the Space Jimny.

For the sticker-making session, Roland DG provided a VersaSTUDIO BN2-20 desktop inkjet printer/cutter to demonstrate the printing process using space-themed designs. The students watched with great interest as the industrial-grade printer operated, a sight they rarely encounter. Once printed, they cut out their stickers and took them home as souvenirs of the lecture.

During the Space Jimny exploration, students closely observed the vehicle’s intricate wrap design, touching the surface to examine the details up close. Some even sat in the driver’s seat, imagining themselves driving it in the future.

Hiroto Akahori, Creative Director of KUVEL DESIGN, who designed the Space Jimny, shared his vision: “I aimed to create a design that excites people just by looking at and touching it. The design embodies the passion of all three companies, incorporating playful details like rust and dirt marks, as if the vehicle had been driven on the moon.”

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  Explaining the sticker-making process

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  Students designing stickers on a smartphone

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  Observing the stickers being printed

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  A student sitting in the driver’s seat

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  Students examining the Space Jimny’s exterior

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  The Space Jimny

Stargazing session under the night sky

The event concluded with a heartfelt thank-you speech from a student representative: “Watching the printing process and sitting in the Space Jimny left a lasting impression on me. It made me imagine what it would be like to drive it in space, which was truly exciting.”

That evening, a stargazing session was held with the cooperation of the Misakubo Cultural Hall, home to one of only two observatory domes in Hamamatsu. This location was chosen for the lecture because Misakubo is known as the best place in Hamamatsu to view the stars. The event was designed to celebrate both the Space Jimny and the beauty of the night sky.

The clear weather allowed students and local residents to gaze at the stars alongside the Space Jimny, sparking thoughts of space exploration. The representatives from all three companies were also captivated by the breathtaking night sky.

Reflecting on the project, the Roland DG representative said, “Six months ago, I never imagined I would be working on a space-related project. However, through this initiative, we created something meaningful under the grand theme of space. The experience brought many insights, reaffirming the value of open innovation.”

By the time these students enter the workforce, open innovation may be a common practice. We hope this lecture helped them feel closer to space and inspired them to consider careers in industries that embrace collaboration between companies.

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  Stargazing session

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  The Space Jimny under the starry sky