Feb 01 2025
How Switch Science supports hacomono's IoT development (who revolutionized Japanese Fitness Industry)
Satoshi Iwasada
Born in Osaka in 1987, Satoshi is an IoT engineer. After gaining experience at an embedded software company in Osaka, he joined hacomono Inc. in 2021 to launch their IoT business division. He drives digital transformation (DX) in the wellness industry through hardware solutions. A longtime fan of Switch Science products, especially the M5Stack (a popular IoT development platform) series, he has contributed articles using M5Stack to CQ Publishing’s Interface magazine. He is a father of two.
Yuichiro Kuzuryu
Born in Tokyo in 1978, Yuichiro is an IoT professional with experience ranging from Silicon Valley startups to major Japanese corporations. Since 2019, he has served as a board member at Switch Science, overseeing IoT contract development and hardware divisions. A self-proclaimed tech geek and maker, he enjoys building things and constantly thinks about making technology more convenient and fun. Father of four.
The Challenge at hacomono and Switch Science’s Role
Q: Can you tell us about hacomono’s background and what you do?
Iwasada: hacomono launched in March 2019, primarily providing reservation and customer management solutions for fitness businesses. Their booking system for studio classes has been very well received and successful. But hacomono’s vision goes beyond just reservations — they aim to revolutionize the entire fitness facility experience. The CEO and the whole team share a mission to integrate offline entry and exit control, connect fitness equipment, and deliver more comprehensive value.
Q: You already had an entry/exit system. Why develop a new IoT product?
Iwasada: We initially used an off-the-shelf product that unlocked doors via Bluetooth and a smartphone app. The hardware worked fine, but it wasn’t reliable in our specific use case. For example, during busy studio classes with 30–40 people unlocking doors wirelessly at the same time, connection errors were frequent. This caused confusion for customers and added stress to staff, which undermined our goal of a fully staff-less system. That challenge sparked the development of a new IoT solution.
IoT QR reader in place at a fitness gym
Q: Why did you decide to work with Switch Science?
Iwasada: After a successful proof of concept (PoC) and positive customer feedback, we were confident in the solution. We had set the product direction and moved to mass production, but that was a big hurdle. At the time, I was the only member of the IoT team and specialized in firmware—not hardware—and I lacked production experience. Outsourcing was the only option.
We evaluated several partners and felt Switch Science was the best fit. They proposed using the Raspberry Pi from our prototype as-is for mass production, which minimized rework and kept the process smooth. We also trusted their expertise in efficient procurement and production of Raspberry Pi-based devices.
Since I wasn’t very experienced in hardware or production, I was also looking for a technical advisor. Knowing that Mr. Kuzuryu at Switch Science could provide hands-on technical support was a key factor in choosing them.
Q: Kuzuryu-san, why did Switch Science take on this project?
Kuzuryu: We rarely say no, especially when a user like Iwasada-san reaches out — we want to help. What stood out was that the solution using Raspberry Pi as proposed was straightforward for us to support. From a business perspective, we want projects that move beyond PoC to actual mass production. Many projects stall at PoC, especially complex or costly ones. hacomono’s approach was lean and practical, making a smooth transition to production likely. Thankfully, that proved true.
Q: What was the team structure like at the start?
Iwasada: Honestly, as a software engineer, I focused on my strengths and entrusted all hardware development to Switch Science (laughs).
Kuzuryu: Exactly. We didn’t write firmware for this project. Our team was just one mechanical engineer, one electrical engineer, and one production manager—super lean.
Q: How did you approach development?
Kuzuryu: We focused on reusing existing products where possible — keeping the QR reader and Raspberry Pi unchanged. We designed the enclosure and some relay expansion boards inside the QR reader. This kept development fast and cost-effective.
Iwasada: While the technology wasn’t cutting-edge, reusing proven parts was the smartest approach. As a software guy, I wanted to keep costs low and start small. Switch Science understood our approach and gave honest, reasonable estimates, which was reassuring.
Left: Yuichiro Kuzuryu from Switch Science, Right: Satoshi Iwasada from hacomono
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
Q: What difficulties did you face during development?
Iwasada: The global chip shortage was a major challenge. Raspberry Pis were nearly impossible to source. Luckily, Switch Science had already secured about 300 units for production, which helped us finish despite the shortage. It was stressful behind the scenes.
Kuzuryu: We got the initial stock, but after that, things got tricky. Luckily, receiving payment upfront before procurement helped us manage the situation smoothly, which is easier when working with startups.
Iwasada: Another big hurdle was when our mold manufacturer, Protolabs is a well-known rapid prototyping service, pulled out of Japan. The timing was awful — molds were already in production and tested about 50 times, and we still had 250 units left to make after starting orders. That was really tough.
Kuzuryu: Having 300 units ready gave us some breathing room to figure out solutions.
Iwasada: Yeah, 50 units wouldn’t have been enough (laughs). But we quickly found alternatives. Swany helped us reuse and patch together the Protolabs molds, lowering initial costs. We’re very grateful to them. At times, we wondered if it would all fall apart, but we found great partners in the end.
Jointly developed IoT QR reader
Q: What were the outcomes of the project?
Iwasada: Our IoT team expanded dramatically from a single person to 14 members within just one year. This greatly improved our internal collaboration.
More importantly, the IoT QR reader was a big hit. Though exact sales numbers are confidential, it exceeded expectations. While part of the hacomono system, the device alone outsells many early-stage startups. We never imagined such success, and it’s really rewarding.
Kuzuryu: The reader is mainly deployed at chocoZAP gyms run by RIZAP Group. Unmanned gyms like chocoZAP are growing fast in Japan’s fitness market, and hacomono rode that wave, which helped drive their success.
Iwasada: That’s one of hacomono’s strengths. The fitness market is relatively small, and smaller gyms struggle on their own. We managed to attract major clients, which was crucial.
Also, hacomono holds a solid share in Japan’s fitness market — 9 of the top 10 companies use their system. Though often behind the scenes, their impact is undeniable.
Q: How does Switch Science see the project?
Kuzuryu: Three things: First, like hacomono is a “behind-the-scenes” player in fitness, we’re a “behind-the-scenes” partner in tech, especially electronics. So promoting ourselves externally is important, and this interview helps.
Second, it’s great to be part of a project that moved to mass production. Many contractors mainly do prototyping and struggle to scale. This project’s smooth transition is satisfying, helped by hacomono’s strong business.
Lastly, internally, this gave a less experienced Switch Science employee valuable production management experience, which we appreciate.
Trust, Flexibility, and Maker Culture
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope from Switch Science?
Iwasada: We want to keep this strong partnership going. We developed the IoT QR reader integrated with the hacomono system and built a solid IoT team. We plan to develop more products but won’t do everything ourselves. As startups scale, external partnerships are essential. Combining strengths to build valuable products together is our goal.
Kuzuryu: Speed is critical for startups. With small mechanical and electrical teams juggling multiple products, finding reliable partners who can handle ambiguous specs flexibly costs time and money. If Switch Science can be that trusted, adaptable first choice, it’s a huge plus for us.
Iwasada: Switch Science's deep commitment to maker culture and their ability to bridge the gap between prototype and mass production makes them an invaluable partner for innovative startups. As someone passionate about maker culture myself, I really appreciate that.