For two days, February 21 and 22, we organized the event “CNET Japan Live 2017: The Potential of AI Essential for Business” sponsored by this magazine. Nowadays, there are so many AI-related keywords that you don't hear words like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning. What kind of impact do they have on businesses and how can they be useful for businesses? By learning about the perspectives and initiatives of companies that are actually using AI, you will be able to see the future potential of AI and the possibility of introducing it into your own business.
On the first day of the event, JR East's Jun Yokoyama took the stage as the keynote speaker. Titled “JR East's Technology Innovation Achieved Through IoT x AI”, it provided a detailed explanation of the content and objectives of the company's “medium and long-term vision for technology innovation” , announced in November 2016. He also spoke about current concrete initiatives using AI/IoT in the railway sector and future prospects.
Simply operating according to schedule will result in a delay in service.
Mr. Jun Yokoyama, General Manager, Technical Planning Department, East Japan Railway Company, Director of JR East Research and Development Center
2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of JR through the privatization of the Japanese National Railways. Coincidentally, it has been exactly 150 years since the Meiji Restoration, and Mr. Yokoyama of JR East said that AI/IoT which is the theme of this era “could perhaps bring comparable changes to the Meiji Restoration.”
As the rail business is one that primarily targets domestic users, the most significant change in the business environment is the decline in population. According to Mr. Yokoyama, “the railways developed as the population increased” under the sign of “increased transport capacity” before and after the war, but today, on the contrary, while the population is decreasing, the railways are in There is a risk of decline. The biggest question right now is: What should the railroads do as we enter an era of population decline? »
Japan's population is declining. If nothing is done, railway activity will continue to decline.
The message launched by JR East is to “achieve a “mobility revolution” through IoT, big data, AI, etc. » In addition to leveraging technology to further improve the safety and security of the public transportation system, we also promote contributions to environmental protection, such as reducing energy consumption in terms of energy and environment, and improving the soft aspects of railways. transform the material areas of “service and marketing” and “operations and maintenance”. These four areas constitute the pillars of the company's medium and long-term vision for technological innovation.
Aim for technological innovation in four areas: “Safety and Security”, “Service and Marketing”, “Operations and Maintenance” and “Energy and Environment”.
At the heart of the idea of a “mobility revolution” is the rapid development of IoT, big data, AI, etc. Until now, three means of transport coexisted: the automobile, the train and the plane, depending mainly on distance, time and effort. However, especially with the rapid adoption of AI technology, cars were once something people had to own and drive, but technological advancements have made car sharing and autonomous driving a reality that people are no longer obliged to do. Mr. Yokoyama observes: “If cars evolve to this extent, railways will fall behind as a service industry if we just run trains on schedule.” »
Automobiles continue to evolve, including car sharing and self-driving cars. Rail must evolve if it is to remain a key mobility service.