CTO Message
Evolving with the changing times
The world is entering a future society in which all industries will be incorporating innovative technologies such as AI, the IoT, robots, and big data to solve various social issues. Canon, which started out as a camera manufacturer, has promoted the diversification of its business in line with the needs of the times, centered on optical technology, and has expanded its business fields to include office equipment and optical products. Today, Canon operates in four industry-oriented groups: Printing, Medical, Imaging, and Industrial. During this period, management and R&D have been working together to develop technology management and build an optimal R&D system.
The technology behind Canon
Although Canon is composed of various businesses, we continue to grow as one unified company thanks to a system that enables us to make use of our accumulated technologies across the entire Group. Canon's technologies are classified into technologies incorporated into products, comprising Core Competency Technologies and Fundamental Technologies; technologies that support products, known as Value Creation Technologies; and product-realization technologies that integrate these technologies into finished products. Technologies incorporated into products are not used in isolation. Canon combines them with platforms of supporting technologies during product development, enabling the company to create competitive products that other companies find difficult to imitate. This development environment also facilitates the integration of Canon’s technologies with those of companies that have joined the Group through M&A. In this way, it serves as a driving force behind Canon's continued evolution and value creation.
Technology platforms that support our businesses
Looking ahead
It goes without saying that these technological capabilities are one of Canon's strengths. By combining technologies to create new value, Canon develops new products and launches new businesses. We also utilize this development environment for open innovation with universities and research institutions in Japan and overseas, working together to create businesses that address a variety of societal issues.
These technological capabilities are made possible by engineers with a strong sense of responsibility and purpose. Canon engineers first build expertise in fundamental technologies and then acquire knowledge across multiple technical fields, developing into multidisciplinary engineers. With further experience, they grow into leaders who guide development organizations and take on management responsibilities while retaining their perspective as engineers. Canon’s career development framework supports this progression.
Throughout its history, Canon has contributed to society and achieved growth through innovation. Canon will continue to evolve and grow by fostering people who embrace challenges in uncharted fields.
Toshio Homma
Vice Chairman & CTO,
Canon Inc.
THE CANON FRONTIER
Canon's comprehensive R&D activities and initiatives are also introduced in Canon Frontier (11 MB), our technology booklet.