AI Becomes Savior in Road Inspections, Detects Cracks and Potholes

Jul 15, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Aging transportation infrastructure, such as roads and bridges built during Japan's period of rapid economic growth, has become a significant burden for the national and local governments responsible for their maintenance.

In response, Maeda, the representative of UrbanX Technologies, is advancing the efficiency of inspections by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). By simply installing smartphones or dashcams in vehicles to film the roads, AI technology can automatically detect damages like potholes and cracks.

Currently, this technology has been adopted by 17 municipalities nationwide, including Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture, and pilot tests are also underway overseas. Looking ahead, the aim is to expand the detection capabilities to include damage to road signs, utility poles, and power lines.

Novelist Jin Mayama delves into Maeda's vision for the future of infrastructure inspections.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Players to Watch When Japan Faces the Netherlands

Japan's World Cup campaign begins on June 14 when the Samurai Blue face the Netherlands at Dallas Stadium in Texas, a clash that will showcase some of the game's most talented players and pit two ambitious teams against one another in a crucial Group F opener. While Japan arrives without injured winger Kaoru Mitoma, one of its most recognizable stars, the squad still boasts a wealth of talent drawn from Europe's top leagues.

El Nino Returns, But Japan Faces Another Hot Summer

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced that an El Niño phenomenon is believed to have developed this spring, warning that Japan is likely to experience above-average temperatures nationwide this summer despite the climate pattern's traditional association with cooler summers.

Narita Airport Advances Compulsory Land Acquisition for Runway

Narita International Airport Corporation is expected to announce next month that it will apply to the national government for project certification as part of the process to enable compulsory land acquisition for the construction of a new runway at Narita Airport, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Fire Destroys Historic Arima Inari Shrine

A fire broke out at Arima Inari Shrine near the Arima Onsen hot spring resort area in Kobe on the night of June 9th, destroying multiple buildings and leaving an elderly Shinto priest and his wife with minor injuries.

Japan National Team Holds First Training Session in Nashville

Japan's national soccer team arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 8th from Monterrey, Mexico, where it had been conducting a pre-World Cup training camp, and held its first practice session at its base camp for the FIFA World Cup in North America.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Web3 NEWS

Ranmaru Kishitani Speaks on Gen Z, Politics and the Power of Buzzwords

Ranmaru Kishitani, a 24-year-old education entrepreneur and member of Generation Z who has built a public profile by speaking widely on politics, economics and current affairs, says young people in Japan are becoming more conscious of politics as social media brings elections into everyday life and creates a sense that individual votes can still change outcomes.

NTT to Launch IOWN AI Fund With Global Tech Partners

NTT plans to establish a new investment vehicle, the IOWN AI Fund, to accelerate the global expansion of its next-generation communications infrastructure known as IOWN.

Melcoin Expands Cryptocurrency Offerings Through Coincheck Partnership

Mercari subsidiary Melcoin, which operates cryptocurrency trading services, announced that it has expanded the range of cryptocurrencies available through the Mercari marketplace app.

Fukuoka Launches AI Training for All Public School Teachers

Fukuoka City began training teachers in the use of generative artificial intelligence on June 5th, as part of an effort to improve classroom instruction and streamline administrative work across its public schools.

Hitachi Secures Access to Anthropic's Advanced AI for Cybersecurity

Hitachi has signed an agreement granting it access to "Claude Mythos," the latest artificial intelligence model developed by U.S.-based AI company Anthropic, sources revealed on June 5th.

How Gamification Is Transforming Traditional Online Leisure Hubs

Gamification is shaking up the way people spend their spare time online, turning passive visits into active adventures.

'Sheep in the Box' Director Explores AI Question

The latest film by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Sheep in the Box, opened in Japan on May 29th after being screened in the Competition section at the Cannes Film Festival, bringing to the screen a near-future story about a grieving couple who welcome into their home a humanoid modeled on their deceased seven-year-old son.

Japan Can Still Compete in the AI Race, Says Former Digital Minister

Former Digital Minister Masaaki Taira, who oversees cybersecurity and artificial intelligence policy within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Japan still has opportunities to compete in the rapidly evolving AI sector, despite the dominance of major U.S. and Chinese developers.

< 2 3 4 5 >