Fukuoka City has sought demonstration experiment projects across the nation that lead to solutions to social challenges using advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), and has implemented the "Fukuoka City Demonstration Experiment Full-support Project" that provides support for excellent projects in demonstration experiments in Fukuoka City.

Last year, the city sought the "Beyond Coronavirus (=Get Over Coronavirus)" demonstration experiment projects as a project seeking for solutions to various social challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and selected seven projects.
*For more details, please visit the Fukuoka City website (Japanese)
https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/soki/kikaku/mirai/fullsupport_pj.html

Our vending machine has been utilized for the demonstration experiments in the "Versatile AI Camera Service" project, one of the projects selected, by Kyushu Electric Power Company, Incorporated and OPTiM Corporation.
*CCBJI news release (Japanese):
https://www.ccbji.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=944
*Kyushu Electric Power news release (Japanese):
https://www.kyuden.co.jp/press_h201203-1.html

■What is a "Versatile AI Camera Service?"

The "Versatile AI Camera Service" analyzes images captured by one such camera using AI and simultaneously provides multiple services, such as detecting the crowds and monitoring whether people are wearing masks or not. Multiple services can be used with one camera and no additional cameras are required. Thus, this makes it possible for necessary services to be used in a flexible and inexpensive way.

■Demonstration experiment started at "Namiki Square" in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City!

The demonstration experiment was conducted at "Namiki Square" in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, near the base of Coca-Cola Red Sparks Rugby Team. (Implementation period: December 9, 2020 to January 29, 2021)
"Namiki Square" is a complex of a civic center (halls and conference rooms), a library, music and drama lesson studios, and other facilities, where the citizens gather.
*Please note that there are currently restrictions on the use of some facilities due to the state of emergency.

*Our vending machine is installed at the entrance of Himawari Hiroba on the first floor.

■Using our vending machine to install a camera

The "Versatile AI Camera" was installed on the top of our vending machine.
On the grounds that the height of our vending machine met the requirement for the camera to capture footage and that the vending machine already installed in "Namiki Square" can be utilized for smooth performance of the demonstration experiment, we decided to provide our vending machine to install the camera on the top of it.

■Detecting whether people wear masks or not and how crowded the place is, and announcing a warning

The "Versatile AI Camera Service" detects whether people passing by under the camera wear masks or not and how crowded the place is, and makes a warning announcement.
Such experiment has also been conducted at a subway station (Tenjin-minami Station). This service is expected to contribute to community development which adapts to the new normal to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

*Manage detected data

■Realizing Creating Shared Value (CSV)

We work on Creating Shared Value (CSV) to solve community issues through our core business. As the new normal is becoming more diverse, we hope that we can contribute to the community development adapting the new normal through our vending machines, which are part of people's daily lives, being made good use of.