WIRED VOL.26 WIRED TV ISSUE - SWISS MADE INNOVATION
インタビュー・執筆:
SWISS MADE INNOVATION
スイスの証明
幸せなイノヴェイション、その秘密を解く
ドイツ、イタリア、フランスなど並み居るヨーロッパの大国に影響を受けながらも、スイスという国は独自の文化を世界に発信し続けている。今回取材を行ったのは、音響アーティスト、3つのスタートアップ、そして強化義体世界大会・サイバスロン。あらゆる分野でイノヴェイションを生むスイスを、スイスたらしめているものとは。
Dignity of Helvetica
3つのスイス・スタートアップ、それぞれの矜持
ラテン語で、「スイス」の形容詞形を意味する「ヘルヴェチカ」。スイススタイルを世界に伝える同名の書体は、1957年にこの国で生まれた。今回、ジュネーヴ、ローザンヌ、バーゼルという3都市で出会ったのは、決して譲れない哲学をもち、それを実現するためにプロダクトをつくりつづける、誇り高き「ヘルヴェチカ」の後継者たちだった。
The neutrality in privacy protection
Switzerland is known as a permanent neutral country in the world. Mobile security enterprises reflect its neutrality. Silent Circle is mobile privacy startup which was founded in US. However, following Lavabit's (Edward Snowden's email provider) shut-down by NSA and seeking legal neutrality, Silent Circle moved to Switzerland.
Swiss watch is the heart of craftsmanship
We went one of the most traditional watch seller, TISSOT in Le Locle. We met watchmaker named Gregoire Beck. “It’s not a special thing” he told us that a half of his friends in Le Locle are watchmaker. Farmers who had lived in Le Locle, became a watchmaker of Swiss watch. Their craftsmanship has been inherited with their life style.
Swiss-ness means simple but well-considered
We visited robotics startup called Rovenso which build robots that can carry out dangerous tasks like nuclear decommissioning. The robot named ROVéo has no AI for its stability, made up by simple and well known mechanical parts with traditional movements.
What I covered:
Alongside with the coverage of Cybathlon in Switzerland, we met several Swiss-made start-ups from mobile privacy to robotics. I collaborated with WIRED editor to conduct Interview and write articles.
Why I covered:
We can find Swiss-made innovation in our daily lives. For example, the first peeler was invented by Alfred Neweczera in Switzerland. Looking closely at the startups in Switzerland as a cradle of innovation, we could find many hints and traces of innovation.
How did I cover it:
Visiting their office and workshop in Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, we found the dignity of “Helvetica” which means the “Swiss-ness” in Latin.