(Published on May 7, 5, updated on May 14, 7)
At the finals of the 7th National College of Technology Deep Learning Contest 5 (hereinafter referred to as DCON9) held at Shibuya Hikarie Hall from May 10th to 6th, 2025, the student team ezaki-lab from the Department of Information Mechanical Systems Engineering at Toba National College of Technology won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and corporate awards (AccessNet Award, Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Award, and BizReach Award).
DCON is a contest in which participants create works that solve social issues using "manufacturing technology" and "deep learning," and compete for the "business viability" of the works they create through corporate valuation. This year's contest saw the largest number of entries to date, 95 teams, and after the first and second rounds of judging, 10 teams, including ezaki-lab from Toba National College of Maritime Technology, advanced to the finals.
In the final round, the technical aspects of the project were evaluated and the students gave presentations, and as a result, the judges valued Toba National College of Maritime Technology at 1 million yen. In addition, the college received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for its predicted economic impact and high expectations for the future, and corporate awards (Access Net Award, Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Award, BizReach Award) for its high level of completion and creativity.
Toba National College of Maritime Technology's ezaki-lab has created and presented "Metamashido," a system to protect seaweed farming from predation. Metamashido uses sound and lasers to scare away ducks, which are a cause of predation, and is expected to contribute to a turning point that will increase the production of seaweed farming, which has been declining in recent years. The system was developed by visiting seaweed farming sites together with local seaweed farmers from the Ise Bay Fisheries Cooperative and Toba Isobe Fisheries Cooperative, and efforts have been made to commercialize the system with advice from Satoshi Sato of connectome.design Inc., who served as a mentor in this contest.
In the future, the student team ezaki-lab plans to continue conducting demonstration experiments within Mie Prefecture and work towards commercializing the product.
Date and time: December 7th to 5nd, 9
Team name and work name:ezaki-lab Metamashido ~Protecting seaweed farming from pests~
Supervisor: Professor Osamu Esaki
Company valuation: 1 million yen (5000nd place)
Awards: Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, Corporate Award (AccessNet Award, Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Award, BizReach Award)
DCON2025 Finals Overview and Results
DCON Official Website
Satoshi Sato, CEO of connectome.design Inc., visited and mentored team ezaki-lab, which will be competing in the DCON2025 finals | Toba National College of Maritime Technology
Chunichi Shimbun Ise-Shima Edition Published on May 2025, 7 (Reiwa 5)
Toba Commercial Marine Team Wins METI Minister's Award at National College of Technology Contest - Highly Evaluated for Business Viability