press release

Fujikura Ltd. (Koto-ku, Tokyo; Director, President and CEO: Masahiko Ito), in cooperation with Yamanashi Kotsu Corporation (Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture; President: Masahide Amemiya) and Edison AI Inc. (Representative Director: Mayumi Yamaura), in cooperation with the Yamanashi Prefectural Government, will start a demonstration experiment on a bus passenger safety monitoring system using AI image analysis based on onboard cameras in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, on October 18, 2021. This will be the first demonstration experiment in Japan of AI-based passenger monitoring edge ^computing*1 on a route bus actually in operation.

65% of accidents that occur on buses are caused by passengers falling while moving inside the vehicle during acceleration or deceleration, and this is especially common among elderly passengers (based on statistics compiled by the company from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). In this demonstration experiment, a proprietary AI image analysis system will be used to analyze passenger postures based on images from cameras installed inside the vehicle, and the results will be transmitted to the driver in real time. This system will be installed on an actual route bus. Compared to relying only on the interior mirror, which can have blind spots, the driver will be able to grasp the situation inside the vehicle more accurately, preventing the bus from departing before passengers have sat down. It is expected that this system will contribute to a reduction in accidents in which passengers fall inside the vehicle.

This system aims not only to assist drivers, but also to be applied to driverless autonomous buses, and this experiment will prepare for the autonomous driving society of the future. This experiment also has the aspect of being an effort to make route buses, one of the main public transportation methods, safe to use even for people at high risk of falling, such as the elderly. In its 2030 Vision ^*2, Fujikura Group has stated that it aims to create new value in the fields of "Vehicle (contribution to the next-generation mobility society)" and "Life-Assistance (improving quality of life)", and this demonstration experiment is one example of actions toward realizing these themes.

We will continue to develop cutting-edge, smart solutions to help create a society in which everyone can move around safely and comfortably.

<Overview of the AI bus passenger safety monitoring system> (Photo is for illustrative purposes only)

① The AI detects whether passengers are seated yet (Figure 1) and displays the result near the driver's seat (Figure 2).

② Detects when passengers have taken their seats (Figure 3) and displays the result near the driver's seat (Figure 4).

3) Detects passengers who stand up while the vehicle is moving (Fig. 5) and displays the result near the driver's seat (Fig. 6).

This allows the driver to safely depart the bus and warn passengers who stand up while the bus is in motion.

*1 Edge computing
This means that information processing is carried out at the location where the data is generated, without going through the cloud, and in this demonstration experiment, the AI will be powered by a small, commercially available, general-purpose device installed inside the bus.

*2 Fujikura 2030 Vision
Fujikura Group formulated its "2030 Vision" in March 2017. Under the slogan "By providing "Tsunagu" solutions, Fujikura Group will resolve issues facing a comfortable and sustainable 'Mirai' society and continually increase its corporate value," the group is working to create new value through open innovation in four anticipated market sectors (Advanced Communication, Energy & Industry, Life-Assistance, and Vehicles).
https://www.fujikura.co.jp/esg/value_creation/2030vision.html

●Yamanashi Kotsu Co., Ltd.
In addition to bus and taxi business, the company operates a wide range business, business tourism-related business, driving lessons, and real business, mainly in Yamanashi Prefecture. Its core route bus business operates about 100 routes centered around Kofu Station, and contributes to the transportation of more than 10,000 customers per day. It is a locally based company that places the foundation of its management on ensuring transportation safety.
http://yamanashikotsu.co.jp/

● Edison AI Co., Ltd.
A cutting-edge AI company with its own algorithms. Its strengths lie in image analysis technology that has been patented in Japan and the U.S. It provides marketing tools that use image analysis on social media, unmanned store systems, and other AI solutions centered on image analysis.
http://edison.ai/

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