Ricoh, a global leader in digital services and printing solutions, is set to showcase its latest technological innovation at Milan Design Week 2025. The company will introduce an advanced inkjet conductive printing technique that integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) to print special sensors onto various fabrics. These "smart" sensors, currently in research and development, aim to enhance the functionality of furniture by transforming it into interactive tools that monitor personal parameters, collect and process data, and facilitate seamless communication between objects.
Visitors to Milan Design Week will have the opportunity to experience the potential of this cutting-edge technology through "Soul and Soil", an immersive and interactive installation hosted at Tortona 14. This exhibit will explore how Ricoh's smart sensors can improve physical and mental well-being in workspaces. Attendees will be able to trial the technology first-hand, observing real-time interactions between mind and environment, and even witnessing their own emotions and sensations transformed into kinetic artworks through images and sounds.
Ricoh has developed two innovative technologies to bring this vision to life. The first focuses on indoor communication systems, while the second is based on conductive printing, which enables fabrics to function as sensors. This integration allows for the creation of advanced designs with interactive capabilities, paving the way for a new generation of intelligent furniture.
'With this innovation, Ricoh seeks to make objects "intelligent," in the etymological sense of its Latin origin inter-legere, which means that they are capable of intercepting and reading different kinds of data through particular sensors,' the company stated. 'The aim is to connect them with each other through a wireless system based on UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology to respond to human needs in an innovative and responsible way.'
The potential applications of Ricoh's smart sensor technology extend far beyond workspaces. The company envisions collaborations across industries, including interior design, furniture manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate, as well as complex environments requiring advanced data management.
Founded in Tokyo nearly 90 years ago, Ricoh operates in approximately 200 countries and regions, with reported revenues of 2,348 billion Yen (approximately 15.5 billion USD) for the financial year ending March 2024. The company's ongoing research aims to redefine the concept of space within workplaces and everyday environments, contributing to its Ricoh 3L prototyping programme. This initiative focuses on themes such as teamwork, individuality, and emotional well-being, reinforcing Ricoh's commitment to innovation and human-centric design.
Through "Soul and Soil," Ricoh merges natural elements, art, technology, and interconnectivity, demonstrating how everyday objects—such as sofas, rugs, and chairs—can transcend traditional functions. By integrating sensors into their patterns and designs, these objects become "furniture with a soul", capable of interacting with the environment and people in new, meaningful ways. This concept aligns with Japanese animist philosophy, which acknowledges a spiritual essence in all objects, and highlights the potential of AAoT (Ambient-Assisted Objects Technology) in shaping future living and working spaces.
Exhibition details:
RICOH "Soul and Soil" – Showroom 14, Via Tortona, 14
8 -13 April | 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Booking recommended for a complete experience)
Press preview:
6-7 April | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
VIP & press exclusive access:
8-11 April | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM & 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
More information:
Ricoh
[email protected]
www.ricoh.it