Final Aim, Inc., the leading smart contracts platform for post-signing contract management in design and manufacturing, is proud to announce the company has been selected for “Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub,” a program designed by Microsoft to support startups at an early stage of their development.
The program offers a range of benefits, including access to Microsoft technologies, including Azure, OpenAI, GitHub, and Microsoft 365, as well as technical support and guidance.
Beyond access to technology, Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub will empower entrepreneurs to innovate and grow by connecting them with mentors who will provide them with industry, business, and technical support to guide them through their next business milestones. In addition, the founders will have access to various startup programs to help them build connections with customers and accelerate their growth.
Final Aim is set to revolutionize its product development across various domains, including blockchain, smart contracts, and AI, through this strategic program by Microsoft.
About Final Aim
Final Aim has been driving the global adoption of blockchain and smart contracts technologies in industrial design and manufacturing. In November 2021, the company announced the beta version of its blockchain platform, “Final Chain.”
In April 2022, the company established its headquarters in the United States. In September of the same year, Final Aim was accepted into “Berkeley SkyDeck,” a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator. In February 2023, it was also chosen as “The Most Likely to Become the Next Unicorn” within the Berkely SkyDeck program. In June 2023, the company won the “Japan-US Innovation Awards – Innovation Showcase,” a co-program by the Japan Society of Northern California and the Stanford University US-Asia Technology Management Center.
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters – Delaware, US / Subsidiary – Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of blockchain and smart contracts technologies for design and manufacturing.
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Legal supervision of contract management and execution using blockchain and smart contracts in the design and manufacturing industry.
Tokyo, Japan, May 25th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is pleased to announce that Uchida & Samejima Law Firm (Representative Partner Masahiro Samejima), which specializes in technology and intellectual property, is supervising our blockchain platform for industrial design and manufacturing.
The supervision of Uchida & Samejima Law Firm will contribute to the effectiveness and future development of managing and executing complex contracts, such as design contracts, that arise in the design and manufacturing industry using blockchain and smart contracts.
About The Blockchain Platform “Final Chain”
In industrial design and manufacturing, there exist complex and high risks in managing and executing contracts, such as proper handling of intellectual property rights, managing and processing payments for multiple layers of subcontractors, and more.
Particularly for large companies, correctly managing and executing the tens of thousands of contracts that arise annually entails significant administrative costs, legal risks, and potential loss of opportunities.
Based on this background, Final Aim has developed the blockchain and smart contract platform “Final Chain.” It is actively working towards addressing the challenges of contract management and execution in the design and manufacturing industry.
The platform reduces administrative costs and risks by achieving transparency, traceability, immutability, and automation in contract management and business processes carried out by designers and manufacturers. Furthermore, it allows them to focus on value creation in their core activities, such as design and manufacturing.
Since our blockchain platform “Final Chain” was announced in November 2021, we have been experimenting and pursuing practical utilization with companies such as Sony Design Consulting, Panasonic, with operations spanning the United States and Japan, and Autodesk, a global leader in 3D CAD software.
Legal Supervision by Uchida & Samejima Law Firm
To further develop and expand our blockchain platform’s functionality, we will continue to receive supervision from Uchida & Samejima Law Firm in intellectual property rights and legal affairs.
Located in Tokyo, Japan, Uchida & Samejima Law Firm excels in seamlessly integrating intellectual property and legal services, including formulating and executing intellectual property strategies and handling IT-related legal matters such as contract drafting and resolution of system disputes. The firm provides intellectual property and legal support to many clients, from large corporations to startups, universities, government agencies, and research institutions.
Moreover, the firm’s strength lies in its ability to provide technology-oriented legal solutions based on the understanding of technology and business possessed by each of its attorneys, utilizing their intellectual property and legal affairs skills.
Leveraging these strengths is our primary objective of receiving supervision from the Uchida & Samejima Law Firm for our blockchain platform.
With the rich knowledge and track record of Uchida & Samejima Law Firm in managing and executing contracts and intellectual property rights in the design and manufacturing industry, we will advance the supervision based on their expertise.
About Uchida & Samejima Law Firm
Uchida & Samejima Law Firm has the “Technology Law” concept, which involves leveraging technology and law seamlessly to drive businesses forward strategically.
Since its establishment, the firm has provided legal services to realize Technology Law, including advice that combines intellectual property strategies and practices. They have supported various companies, including startups with superior technology and ideas, small and medium-sized enterprises that demonstrate a presence in manufacturing, and leading Japanese corporations. Many of the firm’s attorneys have backgrounds in science and engineering and experience working in intellectual property departments and patent law firms as patent attorneys.
As a result, they can handle a wide range of technical areas, including life sciences, chemistry, materials, machinery, electronics, semiconductors, software, IT, and more.
Firm Name: Uchida & Samejima Law Firm
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Affiliation: Tokyo Bar Association
Member Organization: LawExchange International
Services:
– Intellectual property and technology-related disputes (patent litigation, product liability, and other disputes involving technology)
– IT system-related legal affairs and dispute resolution (copyright, subcontracting agreements, quasi-delegation contracts)
– Outsourcing services for intellectual property departments and legal departments (primarily targeting small and medium-sized enterprises and startups)
– Intellectual property management advisory services (primarily targeting large corporations)
– Corporate legal affairs (general legal services including company law, corporate restructuring, bankruptcy filing, labor issues, debt recovery, etc.)
Website: https://www.uslf.jp/
About Final Aim
Final Aim has been driving the global adoption of Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and smart contracts, in industrial design and manufacturing. In November 2021, the company announced the beta version of its blockchain platform, “Final Chain.”
In April 2022, they established a headquarters in the United States. In September of the same year, Final Aim was accepted into “Berkeley SkyDeck,” a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator. In February 2023, they were chosen as “The Most Likely to Become the Next Unicorn” within the program.
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters, US / Subsidiary, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for design and manufacturing
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, February 24th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce that the company has collaborated with FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, Panasonic Design Center of Panasonic Corporation to launch the “Removing Microaggression Products (RMP) Project.”
The project aims to create the future of purchasing experience born from an original concept of product traceability, focusing on “empathy” through personal information that conveys humanity rather than the conventional information of nationality, material, etc.
Panasonic utilized Final Aim’s blockchain technology and the platform “Final Chain” to realize the concept of tracing and connecting the information between manufacturers and users, creating product value and purchasing experience never before.
As a launch campaign, the project team will set up a pop-up store, “MADE IN > MADE BY – RMP Project POP-UP STORE,” for a limited time from March 3rd to 5th at Reload Shimokitazawa. A limited number of 100 original shirts will be sold on-site. Customers can get in touch with the new purchasing experience trace and connect with the manufacturers using Final Aim’s blockchain platform.
Today, the world calls for the importance of “traceability,” in which companies disclose information such as the place of production, production methods, and quantitative data to measure environmental impact. Soon, the nationality, gender, age, etc., of manufacturers may also be disclosed, and it may become a common custom for consumers to make purchasing decisions based on such transparency.
In this context, Panasonic and the team propose the future of purchasing experience realized from unique traceability concept. It is a purchasing experience that begins with “empathy.” It is an experience that fosters emotion through information utterly different from the place of production and environmental impact figures, but through “the life, tastes, and emotions of the creators and makers.”
What if my favorite musicians are the same as the material manufacturer?
What if I can find a common way of spending holidays with the production manager?
What if I know the salesperson’s dream and want to support them?
Usually, we unconsciously purchase products based on biases such as the country of production. Through the project, the team aims to free consumers from prejudices by connecting the products’ backgrounds, such as emotions and humanity like above.
About “Removing Microaggression Products (RMP) Project”
The project aims to remove microaggressions (prejudices born subconsciously) that underlie products of various genres through the empathy gained by receiving personal and emotional information from the creators and makers.
For the first theme, the project selected “Fashion.” The team collaborated with an all-inclusive fashion brand, “SOLIT!” and developed an original shirt, “SOLIT Broad Shirts – RMP Project model –” that users can easily trace the personal and emotional information of the creators and makers.
Additionally, the technology that connects manufacturers and users has been developed in collaboration with Final Aim. The team utilized the platform “Final Chain,” which uses blockchain and smart contracts, also known as Web3 technology.
About The Original Shirt “SOLIT Broad Shirts – RMP Project model –”
The shirt (¥10,000/Tax excluded) can be purchased at the pop-up store from March 3rd to 5th, 2023, or through SOLIT! website (https://solit-japan.com/).
The Technology that Connects Manufacturers and Users
From the input through an original website answered by buyers of the original shirts, the manufacturers and buyers will be connected through the blockchain platform “Final Chain.” The team expects users to enjoy the personal and emotional information of the producers and find out with whom each empathizes.
Project Teams
This project is led by FUTURE LIFE FACTORY in Panasonic Design Center of Panasonic Corporation, with Final Aim providing the blockchain platform and technical advisory, and McCann Alpha, SOLIT, and Paragon participating as collaborators.
A design studio that takes a creative approach based on human values and social issues and applies insights to mold a future vision. The studio explores the future of new types of businesses and ponders how we’ll live in the world of tomorrow, drawing on ideas not simply derived from conventional concepts.
McCann Erickson is the flagship agency of the McCann Worldgroup, the only genuinely international advertising agency capable of independent media planning and buying. Since its establishment in 1960, McCann Erickson Inc. has been working with major corporations, both Japanese and foreign-affiliated. McCann Alpha, established in 2021, is a creative partner organization focused on business co-creation. The partner currently works with Panasonic and many other companies on projects ranging from 0 to 1 to 10, including services, products, and brands.
Solit is a company that develops using inclusive design to realize an “all-inclusive economy” where everyone can accept differences and coexist healthily. As a first step, the company has developed a semi-personalized fashion brand, “SOLIT!” that is easy to put on and take off and allows customers to choose their favorite size and length for each body part, regardless of disability, sexuality, body shape, etc. The brand won the GOLD Award at the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022, one of the world’s top three design awards.
PARAGON DIGITAL DESIGN is the digital solutions team of Paragon Inc. It is a digital solutions team of PARAGON Corporation, which has been in business for 51 years and is committed to creating unique products in the digital domain under the spirit of “paragon,” which means “gem” and “model.”
About the blockchain platform, “Final Chain”
Final Aim has been driving the adoption of Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and smart contracts, globally in the industrial design and manufacturing industries.
Since its blockchain platform release, the company has collaborated with industry leaders: Panasonic USA, a design division in New York; AUTODESK, a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software; Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry. In August 2022, Final Aim announced a partnership with Sony Design Consulting and Sony Computer Science Laboratories for its blockchain technology application. Alongside the development and collaboration, the company applied for three patents internationally.
Furthermore, Final Aim was accepted into Berkeley SkyDeck, a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator. It has been elected and awarded “The Most Likely to Become The Next Unicorn” at its program “Global Innovation Showcase.” Final Aim has also been accepted into Plug and Play Japan, the world’s leading accelerator/venture capital.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters, US / Subsidiary, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for design and manufacturing
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Contract management and execution are complex and risky.
Specifically for designers and manufacturers, in addition to difficult and sensitive terms in the contract, it becomes more complicated as intellectual property, subcontractors, and payment management play a critical role.
For example, whose and which intellectual property in work and when it was transferred is impossible to search and trace via the current contract format and existing solution. These become further complicated when layers of players, administrators, stakeholders, and subcontractors interact with separate agreements and payment terms.
This administrative complexity is universal to the design and manufacturing industry. However, if not managed and executed well, not only is it inefficient and costly, there is a risk of accusation and lawsuit at worst – unfortunately, not uncommon in the industry.
Current problems of design & manufacturing contract management
With this background, Final Aim builds a blockchain platform to answer one question:
“How can we make the contract management and execution frictionless so that designers and manufacturers can focus on their true value creation?”
Delaware, US, February 1st, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (CEO Masafumi Asakura and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) today announced that the company utilized its blockchain platform in a furniture design project by the creative agency CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO./Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd. (Kikuro Tani, Chairman & Representative Director) and the forestry tech startup iforest, Inc. (Koumei Maruyama, Co-Founder & CEO).
The project aims to rediscover and enhance the value of local forest resources by developing product designs that tell the local story. The team selected Hakuba Village as an initial area for launch. It released an original furniture design – also designed by Final Aim – in which the wood is cut from and manufactured locally in the village.
Modular design that integrates aesthetics, functionality, and scalable usage
Flexible design that could be generated as chairs and tables with various size
Patented design that could instantly be assembled and customized
Like general design and manufacturing projects, the team and the designer created and agreed on a design contract. Specifically, the contract states which designs in the design proposal documents the client can manufacture and commercialize. The agreement was also tailored as a license contract defining the starting date and limiting the time available for commercial use. Furthermore, the contract represents the intellectual property – also legally design patented – remains to the original designer and restricts the client to edit, resell or sub-license to other subcontractors.
Though the contract generation and agreement proceeded smoothly, properly managing and accurately executing the contract is challenging for the team, with limited administrative resources and various stakeholders, including the manufacturers.
Design and manufacturing with numerous stakeholders and subcontractors
“Traceable, transparent, and automatic” – Contract management and execution by blockchain, smart contracts, and token.
The project utilized Final Aim’s blockchain platform as a POC study to overcome the challenges. Firstly, upon public blockchain and distributed storage, the team implemented the platform for ample file storage for all critical evidence. The project manager, designer, and manufacturers used the platform for sharing on a remote daily basis.
Then, the platform generated an NFT as a utility token that bundles all the essential files (approved proposals, design renderings, final 2d drawings, final 3d files, etc.) and ownership evidence (owner, date, time, patent filings, etc.) stated in the contract. Furthermore, the smart contracts originally built behind the token resembles the essential elements of the contract terms, such as the token transfer limit and automatic expiration. The platform supported the token transfer to the client’s digital wallet upon agreement and fee transaction.
The blockchain platform utilization made complicated and messy management traceable, opaque subcontracting/sublicensing transparent, forgetful and risky payment and license expiration automatic. As a result, the platform unlocked significant benefits and derisked the team and the project with limited time and administrative resources.
Actual project screenshots of the blockchain platform used in the project
About the blockchain platform, “Final Chain”
Final Aim has been driving the adoption of Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and smart contracts, globally in the industrial design and manufacturing industries.
Since its blockchain platform release, the company has collaborated with industry leaders: Panasonic USA, a design division in New York; AUTODESK, a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software; Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry. In August 2022, Final Aim announced a partnership with Sony Design Consulting and Sony Computer Science Laboratories for its blockchain technology application. Alongside the development and collaboration, the company applied for three patents internationally.
Furthermore, Final Aim was accepted into Berkeley SkyDeck, a world-renowned Silicon Valley startup accelerator, and Plug and Play Japan, the world’s leading accelerator/venture capital.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Headquarters, US / Subsidiary, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for design and manufacturing
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Joint project with the Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village and Shinto Tsushin
Nagano, Japan, January 20th, 2023 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is proud to announce the start of proof-of-concept (POC) with the Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village (Kita-Azumi, Nagano, Representative Director, Hideki Ito) and Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd. (Nagoya, Aichi, Chairman & Representative Director, Kikuro Tani).
Hakuba Village, located at the foot of the Northern Alps in northern Nagano Prefecture and surrounded by magnificent mountains, is a one-of-a-kind “mountain resort.”
Significant numbers of people from all over the world visit the village to enjoy the Northern Alps’ extraordinary nature during the winter when you can ski and snowboard in all seasons.
The village’s history as one of Japan’s major international mountain resorts dates back more than 100 years. Ever since the British mountaineer Walter Weston first visited Hakuba in 1894, it became a must-go for any mountain and ski lover.
The joint project aims to apply Web3 technologies such as blockchain, smart contract, and tokens to explore best practices to maximize its rich heritage, assets, and communities.
POC Overview – “Non-Fungible HAKUBA”
The goal of the POC is to collect photos of Hakuba Village during this winter season, record the photo shooting information (time, location, etc.) associated with the images to the blockchain, and publish them on a special website. Non-fungible tokens (NFT) will be issued as certificates to photo contributors.
POC Title: “Non-Fungible HAKUBA”
POC Schedule: Until mid-February 2023 (Invitation only)
Campaign site: March 2023 (URL TBA)
Photo archive and campaign site supported by our blockchain technologies
As a technology partner, Final Aim will conduct a technical verification on its blockchain platform “Final Chain” private beta. The technology area covers comprehensively from protocol selection, smart contract, token usability, original API development, and UI/UX design.
The POC is positioned as a first step to consider using Web3 technologies in Hakuba Village. Based on the knowledge gained through this POC, the team plans to visualize various actions in Hakuba Village, such as sightseeing and lodging experiences with low environmental impact. In the long term, the village aims to offer incentives to enjoy nature more through the level of contribution, thereby reducing the ecological impact of Hakuba Village, especially in the tourism industry.
About the Tourism Commission of Hakuba Village
The Commission aims to pool the wisdom of Hakuba Village and tourism businesses such as Hakuba mountain range lodge operators, inn operators, cableway operators, transportation companies, commerce and industry, guide associations, hot springs, finance companies, and agricultural cooperatives. It also aims to promote tourism-related initiatives and revitalize the local economy by attracting tourists and promoting international tourism while using Hakuba Village’s rich natural environment.
Website: www.vill.hakuba.nagano.jp
About Shinto Tsushin and CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO.
CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO. is an in-house project team of an advertising company, Shinto Tsushin. The studio has been working to solve social issues by connecting local communities and companies under the theme of “Brightly Changing the World with the Circular Economy. Specifically, in Hakuba Village, the studio has held “GREEN WORK HAKUBA” four times and has been in charge of the project’s start-up, overall production, and creative work.
Company Name: Shinto Tsushin Co., Ltd. / CIRCULAR DESIGN STUDIO.
Business Description: Support for regional revitalization and new business creation based on the circular economy
Website: https://cdstudio.jp/
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: US, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, August 17th, 2022 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) and Sony Design Consulting Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Yutaka Hasegawa) today announced that they had started proof-of-concept for Sony’s contactless IC card-type hardware wallet in the Web3 field.
In recent years, Web3 technology has emerged globally, referred to as the next generation of the decentralized Internet. This megatrend created new industries and use cases such as DeFi and GameFi, and the application has even expanded to the Metaverse.
On the other hand, application to traditional industries has yet to be seen, and we consider there are unexplored areas like design and manufacturing.
Since its foundation in 2019, Final Aim, Inc. has been conducting research and development on blockchain technology with the mission to drive the adoption of Web3 technologies to not just people in finance with high IT literacy but also to the mass, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, and generation.
Furthermore, the company has launched a Web3 beta platform, “Final Chain,” and applied for three patents internationally.
Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. has been developing hardware wallet technology not just for payment but for all kinds of use cases which the technology includes mutual authentication/encrypted communication by applying Sony’s expertise in contactless IC card technology cultivated over many years.
In addition, this hardware wallet can securely generate and store a private key with a highly reliable tamper-proof module within the IC card. (Press release in 2018, patent application in 2019)
Since November 2020, Final Aim and Sony Design Consulting have formed joint research to explore design methodology and practices that ensure the rapid growth of startups’ business and equity financing.
To further expand our partnership scope and strengthen our joint forces, we have started the proof-of-concept in the Web3 field for the IC card-type hardware wallet with tokens issued by Final Aim.
Overview of the Partnership
In this proof-of-concept partnership, we will research and analyze the application of tokens by the IC card-type hardware wallet and the potential development of tokens and protocols in the design field.
1. Test token issuance by Final Aim and the application of the hardware wallet by Web3 technology.
2. Verify potential development of protocols by Web3 technology that utilizes the IC card-type hardware wallet in industrial design and digital manufacturing domains.
3. Explore blockchain technology with the hardware wallet application in other areas such as the Metaverse.
Role of Sony Design Consulting
Sony Design Consulting will provide the IC card-type hardware wallet, supporting design, and blockchain technology to conduct the proof of concept with the perspective of applications in a secure environment.
Role of Final Aim
Final Aim will provide its Web3 platform “Final Chain” that utilizes blockchain and token issuance, pushing forward its protocol development for design and digital manufacturing domains.
Screenshots of Web3 beta platform “Final Chain”
About Sony Design Consulting
Company Name: Sony Design Consulting Inc.
Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Director: Representative Chief Executive Officer, Yutaka Hasegawa
Business Description: Design consulting / Design management / Design service / Other related services
Website: https://www.sonydesignconsulting.com/
Since its foundation in 2020, Sony Design Consulting has provided consulting and design services such as visioning, branding, product design, UI design, and solution to various entities like corporates, startups, and government offices. Under the mission statement, “Discovering the potential, Leading to the possibility,” the company will serve all kinds of projects, not just design and joint research but also PoCs, to uplift design quality, support business management by design, and strengthen and organizing design role in industrial property rights.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: US, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Drive the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Since its foundation in 2019, the company has launched a beta platform, “Final Chain,” the industry-first solution with decentralized and distributed technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts, digital tokens, and IPFS, bringing full ownership and authenticity to designers and manufacturers in design planning, development, and production. With its Web3 platform, the company has collaborated with industry leaders such as Autodesk, Inc., a global leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry, and EYEMETRICS JAPAN, the world’s first eyewear brand originated in Switzerland that personalizes the design by 3D scanning each user’s face.
In April 2022, the company established a corporation in the US to expand its business, finance, legal, accounting, and strengthen its Web3 technology, including protocols and fungible/non-fungible tokens.
Tokyo, Japan, June 9th, 2022 – Final Aim, Inc. (Delaware, US, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) is pleased to unveil an art piece “TACHI” that combines the latest technologies of AI-powered generative design and Web3 with traditional Japanese katana swords craftsmanship with more than 400 years of history. The product is from a collaboration project between Studio Shikumi Inc. (Tokyo, Japan, CEO Shimpei Kawachi).
Background & Concept
Final Aim is a startup that drives the adoption of Web3 technologies for industrial design.
To extend the vision further to the traditional arts and crafts industry, the company partnered with Studio Shikumi. This leading producing company supports many kinds of Japanese craftspeople and artists.
The katana sword is crafted by Kunihira Kawachi, the 15th-generation swordsmith Kunisuke Kawachinokami with more than 400 years of inherited traditions in the Osaka and Nara region.
By combining it with the innovative AI-powered generative design and Web3 technologies, the final art piece realized the distinctive design and re-imagined the style of displaying the katana sword.
The title “TACHI” comes from a combination of a Japanese word: “太刀 (tachi),” meaning a sword, and “立ち(tachi),” meaning to stand up.
Kunihira Kawachi
Optimum Shape Modeled by AI-powered Generative Design
Generative design is a cloud-based automated design exploration and 3D modeling technology powered by artificial intelligence that allows designers to input parameters such as design goals, materials, manufacturing methods, and cost.
Thanks to these latest technologies, the design achieved functionality such as grip ergonomics, product strength, suitable material selection, and minor consumption.
Furthermore, not just its functional achievements, this innovative approach generated a breathtaking organic look that resembles the skeleton of an animal or the veins of a leaf, adding an energetic vital impression to the sword made by the craftsman’s whole heart and soul.
Authenticating The Value of Design by Web3 Technologies
The design created is managed and protected by a Web3 platform for design and digital manufacturing, “Final Chain,” developed by Final Aim.
The platform integrates decentralized and distributed systems like blockchain, smart contracts, and IPFS. Through this comprehensive web3 platform, original master design files are stored and shared by IPFS technology.
Every generated design file has been certified by blockchain record to prove its originality and integrity. Furthermore, this certificate record is physically engraved on every model.
As a result, this becomes the proof of authenticity and uniqueness, allowing the project owner to create and share design files with partners and collaborators without the worries of underlying digital risks and further fulfilling the buyer’s desire for possession.
Blockchain certificate record is physically engraved on every model
Web3 platform for design & manufacturing “Final Chain”
Exhibition & Sales
As a world premiere, “TACHI” was unveiled at a global conference, “Autodesk Accelerate 2022,” held in New Orleans, US, from 17th to 18th May, by Autodesk, Inc. (HQ: San Rafael, California, United States), a global leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software.
Furthermore, the project team is planning exhibitions in Japan and worldwide, such as in New York. More information, including sales, is to be announced.
Contact for The Art Piece, Exhibition, and Sales
Studio Shikumi Inc.
Mail: info@studio-shikumi.jp
About Kunihira Kawachi
He was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1941 and apprenticed under archaeologist Masao Matsunaga while at the Faculty of Law, Kansai University. After graduation, he studied Soshuden from a craftsman named Akihira Miyairi (lately changed name to Yukihira). He then established a katana sword blacksmith in Higashi-Yoshino-Mura in Nara prefecture. He also studied Bizenden from a craftsman named Sumitani Masamine in 1984. He was qualified for an exemption of examination in 1987 and designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property by Nara prefecture in 2005.
About Studio Shikumi
With a mission to ensure the continuity of arts and crafts culture while respecting the essential value of artworks and products, the company organizes and supports a wide variety of Japanese craftspeople and artists.
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: US, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and Web3 technologies
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, February 1st, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) announced that the company utilized its web3 platform “Final Chain” in productions and sales to substantiate the value of design and products. Specifically, the platform protected the authenticity of the figurine design created by the Final Aim designer and the originality of each product manufactured in serial 3D printing.
Designing with 3D CAD software, sharing final design files via the cloud, serial 3D printing, and distributing products have been the core of the modern industrial design. Designers at Final Aim heavily use these conventional tools and services daily. However, there remain underlying digital risks: reverse-engineering, copying, tampering, counterfeiting, and losing control of the data ownership.
To overcome these inevitable challenges, Final Aim is developing a web3 platform “Final Chain” that integrates decentralized and distributed systems like blockchain, smart contracts, and IPFS technologies.
With streamlined user experience and intuitive interface, designers and manufacturers can collaborate. It targets not just design files but also intellectual property and legal contracts to build trust and authenticity
To celebrate “Year of the Tiger” – 2022’s oriental zodiac animal symbol – a designer at Final Aim created an original figurine and used the Final Chain platform in design management, productions and selling to customers.
Through the comprehensive web3 platform, original master design files are stored and shared by IPFS technology. And every 3D printed design file has been certified by blockchain record to prove its originality and integrity. Furthermore, this certificate record is 3D printed physically on every model.
As a result, this becomes the proof of authenticity and uniqueness, allowing the designer to create and share without the worries of underlying risks and fulfilling the buyer’s desire for possession.
With the progress of the Final Chain platform, the company will be strengthening and expanding partnerships to co-create and realize web3 in the design and manufacturing industry.
The current platform is by private invite only; users interested in beta user participation, please contact at: contact@final-aim.com
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and web3 technologies
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Tokyo, Japan, January 25th, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) today announced that the company has collaborated with EYEMETRICS JAPAN (HQ: Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan), the world’s first eyewear brand that personalizes the design by 3D scanning each user’s face. The collaboration secured customer’s 3D scanned face data by “Final Chain,” a beta platform by Final Aim that drives adoption of web3 technologies for design & manufacturing.
Originated in Switzerland, EYEMETRICS JAPAN is the world’s first made-to-order personalized eyewear brand. With its innovative facial 3D scanning and 3D modeling technology, the company has provided eyewear design with a perfect fit to every customer for more than 30 years.
In daily operations, the company manages and stores users’ 3D face data in a centralized system and storage. The brand faces potential issues of maintenance, security, and the ownership of personal data, which may become more critical due to the recent rise in social awareness on privacy data protection.
3D scanning & modeling process (Courtesy of EYEMETRICS JAPAN Website)
The beta platform “Final Chain” by Final Aim aims to drive the adoption of web3 technologies for designers and manufacturers who need decentralized and distributed systems to achieve full ownership and authenticity of designs and manufactured products. The platform leverages decentralized features like a public blockchain, smart contracts, and IPFS.
For example, the platform was used in collaboration with Autodesk Inc. for securing ownership and authenticity of essential files such as 3D design data.
More on: https://final-aim.com/formnext-with-autodesk
The platform was used to secure and share designs with IPFS file management, 3D previews and blockchain certification
Based on the risk and needs associated with 3D scanned personal data and the current system, EYEMETRICS JAPAN teamed up with Final Aim to test the feasibility of its new platform concepts and the potential of web3 technologies.
With actual user data, the team was able to verify the effectiveness of blockchain and IPFS on the platform, not just from the business side but also from the user benefit, securing data integrity and allowing full ownership to users. The verification deepened and expanded to consider new business opportunities capitalizing on the data asset to emerging markets such as digital manufacturing, AR/VR, and the metaverse.
With actual user data, the team was able to verify the effectiveness of blockchain and IPFS on the beta platform “Final Chain”
The beta platform is by private invite only; users interested in participation, please contact at: contact@final-aim.com
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and web3 technologies
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Presenting our innovative process of design & prototyping by Autodesk’s 3D design software and Ultimaker’s 3D printer, and the final design ownership & authenticity is managed by our web3 beta platform, Final Chain.
Frankfurt, Germany, November 18th, 2021 – Final Aim, Inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, CEO Masafumi Asakura, and CDO Yasuhide Yokoi) today announced the company has collaborated with Autodesk, Inc. (HQ: San Rafael, California, United States), a global leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, at “Formnext 2021” – the world’s largest exhibition for additive manufacturing in Frankfurt, Germany.
Location: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Date: November 16 – 19, 2021
Booth: Hall 12.0, C22 – Autodesk booth
The designers at Final Aim use Autodesk Fusion 360 and 3D printers in everyday projects such as mobilities, robots, and consumer products. All through the process from concept to production, it helps project teams to enable rapid design iterations and quickly visualize and formalize appealing industrial designs.
At the Autodesk booth, visitors will be able to see the innovative process of the initial design and prototyping phase in one of our latest projects – an autonomous delivery robot in Singapore.
For reference, from the prototyping aspect, the process can also be read online in the Customer Success Story by Ultimaker, a Netherland-based global leader in the professional 3D printing industry: https://ultimaker.com/learn/yasuhide-yokoi-and-final-aim-inc
Innovative design process of an autonomous delivery robot by Autodesk Fusion 360 and Ultimaker S3 has caught great attention
Ownership & authenticity of essential project files such as 3D design data are managed by “Final Chain” – Beta platform by Final Aim to drive adoption of web3 technologies for design & manufacturing.
Our beta platform Final Chain aims to drive the adoption of web3 technologies for designers and manufacturers who need decentralized and distributed systems like blockchain, smart contracts, and IPFS technologies to achieve full ownership and authenticity of designs and manufactured products.
The 3D design data of the 3D printed models displayed at the Autodesk booth are all managed on this beta platform. Thanks to decentralized and distributed features, the designer can achieve and maintain product design ownership and authenticity in a more resilient, efficient, and secure way.
Streamlined user experience such as IPFS file management,
3D previews and blockchain certification
The beta platform launch is by private invite only; users interested in beta user participation, please contact at: contact@final-aim.com
About Final Aim
Company Name: Final Aim, Inc.
Location: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founders: Masafumi Asakura, Chief Executive Officer / Yasuhide Yokoi, Chief Design Officer
Business Description: Zero-to-one support with design and technology
Website: https://final-aim.com
Contact: contact@final-aim.com
Current problems of design & manufacturing contract management
Modular design that integrates aesthetics, functionality, and scalable usage 
Flexible design that could be generated as chairs and tables with various size
Patented design that could instantly be assembled and customized
Design and manufacturing with numerous stakeholders and subcontractors
Photo archive and campaign site supported by our blockchain technologies
Blockchain certificate record is physically engraved on every model
With streamlined user experience and intuitive interface, designers and manufacturers can collaborate. It targets not just design files but also intellectual property and legal contracts to build trust and authenticity
Innovative design process of an autonomous delivery robot by Autodesk Fusion 360 and Ultimaker S3 has caught great attention
