Alps Alpine: Making Cars Understand People – Next-Generation Cabin Experiences Enabled by Multimodal Sensing and Sensory Technologies

September 01, 2026
Exclusive Interview

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.

Mr. Osamu Kazama, Associate Vice President Mobility Development and Mr. Taro Kitagawa, General Manager Mobility Business Unit Advanced Development Dept.

About This Interview

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. (Alps Alpine)’s Mobility Business is making a significant shift away from its business model centered on supplying individual products, such as in-vehicle audio systems and IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment), toward a “Digital Cabin Integration Solutions” business that leverages strategic alliances. In addition to strengthening the revenue base through structural reform of the production organization, it is expected that production of next-generation integrated control products (CDC, etc.) will begin in 2026 and these are expected to be the driving force behind performance recovery.

In August, MarkLines visited the Iwaki Development Center (Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture), the company’s core development hub, and interviewed Osamu Kazama, Associate Vice President in Charge of Mobility Development, and Taro Kitagawa, General Manager, Mobility Business Unit, Advanced Development Dept. MarkLines spoke with them about how they plan to transition from an automotive equipment manufacturer to a solutions provider, focusing on the “Digital Cabin Solution” (DCS) concept, which lies at the heart of their strategy, and their vision for next-generation products.

About This Interview
Q1
Your mobility business was consolidated in April 2025. What kind of synergies do you expect this consolidation to generate?
Q2
Now that the business has been consolidated under the Mobility division, what changes have occurred in customer proposals and the development process?
Q3
Advances in SDVs (Software Defined Vehicles) and the expanding use of AI are significantly transforming the automotive industry’s value structure. How do you view this change?
Q4
The Mid-Term Management Plan 2027 sets forth the goal of “enhancing the quality of the mobility business.” What kind of strategy does “improving quality” entail, and what strengths will be leveraged to achieve it?
Q5
In the CTO's message, "multimodal sensing" is identified as a next generation core technology. What kinds of applications do you envision in the mobility sector?
Q6
What kind of in-car experience is Digital Cabin Solution aiming to provide? Also, what value does it offer to users?
Q7
What kinds of technologies and products are included in the Digital Cabin Solution?
Integrated Sensing: Pupil diameter detection
Integrated HMI
Seat vibration HMI
Q8
As you continue to transform into a systems-proposal-driven company, what strengths are your company leveraging to differentiate itself?
Q9
Which countries, regions, or markets will you be focusing on in the future? Also, could you please share your medium- to long-term strategy regarding overseas partnerships and investments?
Q10
Regarding your company’s brand business, as the value structure of the automotive industry evolves, what position is Alps Alpine aiming to establish in the mobility sector?
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