Japanese Company Uses Game to Enhance Factory Worker Productivity

A Japanese company has introduced an innovative gaming system to enhance productivity among factory workers. This initiative, aimed at combating the monotony of repetitive tasks, has successfully integrated entertainment into the daily routines of employees, leading to measurable increases in performance. The software, known as Real Focus Synergy, developed by Nissho Denki Seigyo, has already shown promising results since its implementation.

How the Game Works

The mechanics of Real Focus Synergy are inspired by idle games, allowing workers to engage with their own avatars as they navigate a virtual island to develop a village. In the case of Maruwa, a firm specializing in the cleaning and distribution of sheets and towels, the gameplay revolves around the workers loading bed sheets into machines. Each time a worker completes this task, a countdown begins in the game, determining how long their avatar can move within the virtual environment.

The game incentivizes productivity in the real world; to progress in the virtual village, employees must maintain a strong work ethic. The system visually tracks their overall progress through a screen mounted in the factory, reinforcing the connection between their real-life actions and virtual achievements.

Collaboration with Epic Games

According to Shohei Shinto, a representative of Nissho Denki Seigyo, this project marked their first foray into video game development, as the company typically focuses on supplying equipment for factory production lines. Facing uncertainty in their approach, Shinto reached out to Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite. To his surprise, the team at Epic provided valuable guidance, which played a crucial role in shaping the project.

Since the launch of Real Focus Synergy at Maruwa, productivity has reportedly increased by approximately 8% overall, with some workers achieving gains of nearly 18% in their first week using the system. This substantial boost in output highlights the potential benefits of integrating gaming elements into workplace environments, particularly in sectors characterized by repetitive tasks.

As companies seek innovative ways to foster engagement and improve productivity, this initiative could serve as a model for others looking to enhance worker satisfaction and efficiency through technology.