Smartscape Holds Practical Hackathon at 42 Tokyo to Solve Manufacturing Challenges
Key facts
- Smartscape Holds Practical Hackathon at 42 Tokyo to Solve Manufacturing Challenges
- Smartscape Inc. partnered with the engineering training institution "42 Tokyo" to host the "SMARTSCAPE CUP Hackathon Battle," focusing on solving manufacturing industry challenges. Participants gained practical development experience and problem-solving skills through AI player development.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 11, 2026
Direct answer
Smartscape Inc. partnered with the engineering training institution "42 Tokyo" to host the "SMARTSCAPE CUP Hackathon Battle," focusing on solving manufacturing industry challenges. Participants gained practical development experience and problem-solving skills through AI player development.
- Citation
- Smartscape Holds Practical Hackathon at 42 Tokyo to Solve Manufacturing Challenges (June 11, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 11, 2026
Smartscape Inc. partnered with the engineering training institution "42 Tokyo" to host the "SMARTSCAPE CUP Hackathon Battle," focusing on solving manufacturing industry challenges. Participants gained practical development experience and problem-solving skills through AI player development.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 10:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 10:34 (34 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (30h 17m after Collected)
Smartscape Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shingo Ito; hereinafter referred to as Smartscape), in collaboration with General Incorporated Association 42 Tokyo (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yoko Sakanoe; hereinafter referred to as 42 Tokyo), which operates the French-originated engineer training institution "42 Tokyo," held the "SMARTSCAPE CUP Hackathon Battle" from Sunday, May 24, 2026, to Sunday, May 31, 2026.
■ Overview
This hackathon was conducted with the theme of developing AI players for the competitive game "Block Duo." A total of 43 participants were divided into 8 teams, and they engaged in strategy planning, algorithm design, and implementation within a limited development period. On the final day, a results presentation session was held where participants presented their innovations, such as the algorithms adopted and approaches taken to address challenges. Subsequently, a tournament was held among the AI players developed by each team to determine the winning team. The event was designed to test not only programming skills but also teamwork and the practical ability to create solutions through trial and error, serving as an opportunity to learn how to approach and tackle manufacturing industry challenges.
■ "Thinking Power" and "Execution Power" Required in Manufacturing Sites
Smartscape is engaged in solving challenges in the manufacturing industry using AI and software. In recent years, issues such as labor shortages and skill transfer have become apparent in manufacturing. Addressing these challenges requires not only technical skills but also the practical ability to organize on-site issues, collaboratively devise solutions, and implement and improve them. This hackathon was organized to provide participants with practical development experience, aiming to enhance their communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills, in addition to their technical abilities. By experiencing the entire process of team development, including problem organization, role allocation, verification, and presentation, participants could experience a development approach that involves rapid prototyping and iterative improvement.
■ Mentoring by Current Engineers on Actual Development Processes
Throughout the hackathon, current engineers from Smartscape served as mentors, supporting participants by providing advice on development and responding to inquiries. By creating an environment where even participants with limited development experience could challenge themselves with confidence, it became an opportunity to learn the collaborative skills required in actual work environments.
Participants tackled problem-solving by demonstrating teamwork alongside their technical skills, such as discussing development policies and allocating roles while proceeding with implementation. This process is analogous to how companies face real-world site issues, improve them, and consider the implementation of deliverables. Through this initiative, Smartscape aims to provide practical development opportunities for the younger generation and contribute to nurturing the next generation of talent capable of solving manufacturing industry challenges.
■ Results
The winners and runners-up were determined by match results, and a special award was given to the team with an interesting approach to problem-solving.
Winner: "Nishikijya" Team
Runner-up: "Team Datou" Team
Special Award: "Beginner's Luck" Team
Each team adopted different approaches to the same problem, and their presentations showcased creative and innovative ideas. Notably, the team that implemented a unique system for switching between multiple algorithms received the special award, reflecting a diversity of ideas.
■ Comment from Shingo Ito, President and CEO of Smartscape Inc.
"Although there was no single correct approach to solving the problem, I was impressed by how each team experimented with various methods. Listening to your presentations, I was deeply moved by your high level of challenge.
"At our company, we interact with many clients who handle advanced technologies in a highly flexible environment. In real-world situations, work begins not with a given theme, but with identifying what the challenges are. I hope that you will continue to value the ability to discover and organize problems, and the process of thoroughly thinking through solutions, which you learned through this hackathon, as you hone your skills and take on various challenges. Smartscape will continue to support the development of next-generation engineers and the growth of human resources who support Japanese manufacturing through such practical learning opportunities."
■ Event Overview
Event Name: SMART SCAPE CUP Hackathon Battle
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Number of Participants: 43 (8 teams)
Theme: Development of AI players for the competitive game "Block Duo"
Content: Team development, mentoring, results presentation, judging/awards, etc.
■ About General Incorporated Association 42 Tokyo
42 Tokyo, as the Japanese campus of "42," a French-originated engineer training institution, provides high-quality educational opportunities to all who wish to challenge themselves, regardless of academic or professional background. It is characterized by completely free tuition, a 24-hour learning environment, and problem-solving-based learning independent of lectures or textbooks. Through peer learning where students teach each other, it fosters not only technical skills but also communication and collaboration abilities. Furthermore, it develops the ability to learn continuously by tackling constantly updated challenges, with an educational model that aims to train practical IT engineers connected to society and businesses.
Organization Name: General Incorporated Association 42 Tokyo
Campus Location: 2-11-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Director Yoko Sakanoe
Web: https://42tokyo.jp/
■ About Smartscape Inc.
Leveraging its core technology of "Engineering × Visualization" cultivated since its founding, Smartscape Inc. comprehensively supports its clients' business transformations. Focusing on engineering services for the manufacturing industry, general IT professional services, 3D data utilization, and the application of AI and data analysis, the company develops products and services that solve on-site and operational challenges with digital technology.
Company Name: Smartscape Inc.
Location: 1-8-40 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo A-PLACE Shinagawa 8F
Representative: Shingo Ito, President and CEO
Business Description: Research and development, contract development, and sales of information and communication related technologies, as well as consulting services using information and communication related technologies.
Web: https://www.smartscape.co.jp/
[Contact Information for this Matter]
Smart Group Public Relations Team
TEL: 03-6434-9717 Mail: sg_pr@smart-group.co.jp
Keywords:
■ Overview
This hackathon was conducted with the theme of developing AI players for the competitive game "Block Duo." A total of 43 participants were divided into 8 teams, and they engaged in strategy planning, algorithm design, and implementation within a limited development period. On the final day, a results presentation session was held where participants presented their innovations, such as the algorithms adopted and approaches taken to address challenges. Subsequently, a tournament was held among the AI players developed by each team to determine the winning team. The event was designed to test not only programming skills but also teamwork and the practical ability to create solutions through trial and error, serving as an opportunity to learn how to approach and tackle manufacturing industry challenges.
■ "Thinking Power" and "Execution Power" Required in Manufacturing Sites
Smartscape is engaged in solving challenges in the manufacturing industry using AI and software. In recent years, issues such as labor shortages and skill transfer have become apparent in manufacturing. Addressing these challenges requires not only technical skills but also the practical ability to organize on-site issues, collaboratively devise solutions, and implement and improve them. This hackathon was organized to provide participants with practical development experience, aiming to enhance their communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills, in addition to their technical abilities. By experiencing the entire process of team development, including problem organization, role allocation, verification, and presentation, participants could experience a development approach that involves rapid prototyping and iterative improvement.
■ Mentoring by Current Engineers on Actual Development Processes
Throughout the hackathon, current engineers from Smartscape served as mentors, supporting participants by providing advice on development and responding to inquiries. By creating an environment where even participants with limited development experience could challenge themselves with confidence, it became an opportunity to learn the collaborative skills required in actual work environments.
Participants tackled problem-solving by demonstrating teamwork alongside their technical skills, such as discussing development policies and allocating roles while proceeding with implementation. This process is analogous to how companies face real-world site issues, improve them, and consider the implementation of deliverables. Through this initiative, Smartscape aims to provide practical development opportunities for the younger generation and contribute to nurturing the next generation of talent capable of solving manufacturing industry challenges.
■ Results
The winners and runners-up were determined by match results, and a special award was given to the team with an interesting approach to problem-solving.
Winner: "Nishikijya" Team
Runner-up: "Team Datou" Team
Special Award: "Beginner's Luck" Team
Each team adopted different approaches to the same problem, and their presentations showcased creative and innovative ideas. Notably, the team that implemented a unique system for switching between multiple algorithms received the special award, reflecting a diversity of ideas.
■ Comment from Shingo Ito, President and CEO of Smartscape Inc.
"Although there was no single correct approach to solving the problem, I was impressed by how each team experimented with various methods. Listening to your presentations, I was deeply moved by your high level of challenge.
"At our company, we interact with many clients who handle advanced technologies in a highly flexible environment. In real-world situations, work begins not with a given theme, but with identifying what the challenges are. I hope that you will continue to value the ability to discover and organize problems, and the process of thoroughly thinking through solutions, which you learned through this hackathon, as you hone your skills and take on various challenges. Smartscape will continue to support the development of next-generation engineers and the growth of human resources who support Japanese manufacturing through such practical learning opportunities."
■ Event Overview
Event Name: SMART SCAPE CUP Hackathon Battle
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Number of Participants: 43 (8 teams)
Theme: Development of AI players for the competitive game "Block Duo"
Content: Team development, mentoring, results presentation, judging/awards, etc.
■ About General Incorporated Association 42 Tokyo
42 Tokyo, as the Japanese campus of "42," a French-originated engineer training institution, provides high-quality educational opportunities to all who wish to challenge themselves, regardless of academic or professional background. It is characterized by completely free tuition, a 24-hour learning environment, and problem-solving-based learning independent of lectures or textbooks. Through peer learning where students teach each other, it fosters not only technical skills but also communication and collaboration abilities. Furthermore, it develops the ability to learn continuously by tackling constantly updated challenges, with an educational model that aims to train practical IT engineers connected to society and businesses.
Organization Name: General Incorporated Association 42 Tokyo
Campus Location: 2-11-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Director Yoko Sakanoe
Web: https://42tokyo.jp/
■ About Smartscape Inc.
Leveraging its core technology of "Engineering × Visualization" cultivated since its founding, Smartscape Inc. comprehensively supports its clients' business transformations. Focusing on engineering services for the manufacturing industry, general IT professional services, 3D data utilization, and the application of AI and data analysis, the company develops products and services that solve on-site and operational challenges with digital technology.
Company Name: Smartscape Inc.
Location: 1-8-40 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo A-PLACE Shinagawa 8F
Representative: Shingo Ito, President and CEO
Business Description: Research and development, contract development, and sales of information and communication related technologies, as well as consulting services using information and communication related technologies.
Web: https://www.smartscape.co.jp/
[Contact Information for this Matter]
Smart Group Public Relations Team
TEL: 03-6434-9717 Mail: sg_pr@smart-group.co.jp
Keywords:
FAQ
What was the purpose of this hackathon?
To provide participants with an opportunity to experientially learn practical development skills and problem-solving abilities necessary for addressing manufacturing challenges.
What skills can participants acquire?
In addition to programming skills, participants can acquire abilities in team development processes, problem identification/organization, and solution planning/implementation/improvement.
What kind of company is Smartscape?
It is a company that addresses manufacturing challenges using AI and software, providing engineering services and DX support.
What kind of institution is 42 Tokyo?
It is an engineer training institution originating from France that cultivates practical IT engineers, regardless of academic or professional background.
How will this event contribute to the future of manufacturing?
By nurturing next-generation engineers with practical skills, it contributes to the DX promotion and sustainable growth of the manufacturing industry.