Creating image analysis technology that changes the world. ～Enhancing engineering skills with Asilla. 

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Chan and I am from Taiwan. My major at university and graduate school was in computer science, where I did research on deep learning. I am interested in image analysis technology as well as Deep Learning. In terms of connections with Japan, I studied at Tsukuba University while I was a graduate student in Taiwan, where I conducted research on statistical analysis of SNS-like patterns using graph theory.

How did you learn about Asilla?

I had studied abroad at the University of Tsukuba when I was in graduate school, and I wanted to work in Japan in the future. I was looking for a company that was engaged in the image analysis business on various job sites, and I thought that "behavior recognition, which analyzes human behavior from video images," which is one of Asilla's specialties, was very interesting because it was a field I had never worked in before. When I met with Mr. Kimura, the representative of the company, I felt that he was a passionate person with a big vision, and I fell in love with Asilla at first sight.

What are your impressions of working at Asilla?

I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS AT FIRST, BUT THE PMS MADE A LOT OF ADJUSTMENTS AND MADE IT VERY EASY. THE FIRST PROJECT WAS VERY EXCITING FOR ME BECAUSE IT WAS A COMPLETELY NEW APPROACH FOR ASILLA, AND IT INVOLVED IMPLEMENTING A NOVEL IDEA. I HAD LEARNED BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF VIDEO PROCESSING AT UNIVERSITY AND GRADUATE SCHOOL, BUT WHEN I ACTUALLY STARTED THE DEVELOPMENT, THE VIDEO BEHAVED LIKE A LIVING CREATURE, AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TUNE IT TO MAKE IT TAME. WE TESTED THE ALGORITHMS WE DEVELOPED IN AN ACTUAL USAGE ENVIRONMENT. TESTING IN AN ACTUAL ENVIRONMENT ALLOWED US TO FIND ISSUES THAT COULD NOT BE SEEN IN DESKTOP VERIFICATION, AND WE RECEIVED REAL FEEDBACK FROM USERS, WHICH WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND MOTIVATING.

How did you feel when you arrived in Japan and came to work in the office?

To be honest, I felt that there were fewer people than I had imagined. However, I thought that everyone at Asilla seemed to be enjoying their work very much. Perhaps it is because they enjoy their work that they are able to produce excellent technology. In terms of living in Japan, I had studied in Japan before, so there was no gap in my life there. The only thing was that the various procedures required to live in Japan were very difficult. With support from the company, I opened a bank account, looked for a place to live, and signed a cell phone contract.

What is your impression of Asilla Vietnam as an overseas corporation?

FIRST OF ALL, ASILLA HAS OFFICES IN JAPAN AND VIETNAM, AND THE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN ENGINEERS IN JAPAN AND VIETNAM. HOWEVER, THE ATMOSPHERE IN JAPAN IS MORE BUSINESS ORIENTED SINCE THERE ARE MANY BUSINESS MEMBERS, WHILE THE ATMOSPHERE IN VIETNAM IS MORE LIKE A UNIVERSITY LAB SINCE IT IS MAINLY ENGINEERS. THE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE ARE VERY FRIENDLY AND READY TO HELP IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, AND I HOPE TO MEET THEM WHEN COVID-19 IS SETTLED. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING THE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WITH WHOM I HAVE SHARED SO MANY HARDSHIPS AND JOYS EVERY DAY. BUT I DON'T LIKE HOT WEATHER, SO IF I WERE TO GO TO VIETNAM, I WOULD LIKE TO GO DURING THE RELATIVELY COOL SEASON.

What do you like to learn?

Yes, I love math, physics, and coding. I am a science and math geek. But actually, I also like philosophy, such as Wittgenstein. After all, mathematics and philosophy are historically close, and I often get important hints from each of them.

What do you do on your days off?

I love games, so I play games a lot. Especially action game type games. I also read books on the history of mathematics and philosophy. I also like motorcycles, so I would like to get a motorcycle license in Japan and go touring to Hakone and Enoshima.

What are some of the challenges you would like to take on at Asilla in the future?

I would like to challenge myself in many new ways. I would like to experience various projects and increase my knowledge and experience, and at the same time, I would like to master deep learning as my main focus. In order to do so, I would like to keep up with reviews of the latest papers, acquire well-balanced skills in implementation and theory, and make the most of them in my work. The level of research at Asilla is very high, and I would like to publish a paper on my own ideas someday.