Provision of WAKONX SmartCity Solution Utilizing City Data and au Data Begins

KDDI Corporation

This solution achieves a smart city by leveraging both city data and data from our "au" service. By building a data foundation (hereinafter "Urban OS") that collects and analyzes data on public facilities and people, the solution delivers smart city functions including a city app that provides timely information tailored to user interests, a robot service that autonomously responds to a variety of situations, and a dashboard that provides simulations using real-time data collected from the area.

In addition, the service includes an extensible network environment that can flexibly adapt to additional services and evolving conditions. On this network, we establish a high-security, highly scalable, and disaster-resistant server infrastructure to safely link data from the Urban OS and each service.

This solution is being adopted at Takanawa Gateway City―a "testing ground for a rich lifestyle 100 years in the future" ―which will open to the public on March 27, 2025. In addition to supporting JR East's (East Japan Railway Company; Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; President: Yoichi Kise) smart city initiatives, further expansion is planned into urban development areas such as the wider Shinagawa area on JR East's network, thereby promoting vibrant and sustainable urban development.

KDDI will continue to expand this solution to other cities via WAKONX SmartCity, thereby contributing to resolving common challenges in urban development―such as population decline and labor shortages―while creating urban vibrancy and spurring regional vitalization.

■About This Solution

1. Overview

• City data, such as access information from security gates and footage from surveillance cameras, as well as au data (which includes location information, attribute information, and data on interests and preferences) collected through urban facilities, are aggregated into the Urban OS. By fusing and analyzing vast and diverse data sets from fields including public safety, disaster prevention, events, commerce, and office environments within the KDDI Data Clean Room located in the WAKONX Data Layer―and while ensuring personal data protection―a constant stream of innovative measures for smart urban development is promoted.
• A highly extensible and change-resilient integrated network is built across facilities and the entire city. This network environment can flexibly expand in response to evolving circumstances. In parallel, a high-security and disaster-resistant server architecture is established to safely connect data from the Urban OS and the various services.
• In addition to providing the solution, we also offer end-to-end support―from concept development to implementation―for those involved in constructing and operating smart cities and smart buildings.

• *au data will be used only within the scope of the purposes for which customer information is obtained and as permitted by the consents given for third-party sharing.

2. What This Solution Achieves

(1) A city app that provides timely information tailored to individual interests

• Based on the city data and au data aggregated in the Urban OS, information that aligns with customers' preferences is recommended at the appropriate time.
• A city map is provided on which real-time urban conditions are displayed using generative AI.
• Customer engagement with the city is enhanced by displaying ongoing events.

(2) Autonomous robot service that acts according to different situations

• By linking a cross-manufacturer robot control platform (which coordinates with city facilities) with the Urban OS, a sophisticated robot service powered by city data is realized.
• Delivery to customers is optimally routed based on real-time crowd congestion data.
• Using data from surveillance cameras, robots are equipped with products matched to demographic information. They then autonomously move to areas with large gatherings of potential buyers to sell these products.
• In cooperation with security gates and elevator systems, robots seamlessly move throughout the city―connecting commercial facilities with offices, and indoors areas with outdoors areas.

(3) A dashboard that provides simulations based on the city's real-time data

• A dashboard is provided that retrieves real-time data on pedestrian flow and facilities from the Urban OS and executes high-speed simulations.
• For instance, the simulation of events held in the city allows for the formulation of countermeasures, such as preventing dangerous spots or areas prone to crowding. On the day of an event, predictions of pedestrian flow are updated every minute, enabling swift responses to unforeseen circumstances. After an event, analyses of differences between planned and actual sales, as well as pedestrian data, help to identify areas for improvement.
• Additionally, in case of a disaster, evacuation responses for an entire district can be pre-simulated on a 3D urban model to help formulate disaster prevention plans.

(4) Remote-connecting Communication Service "KUKAN-JIZAI Workplace"

• In collaboration with JR East since 2022, the Remote-connecting Communication Service "KUKAN-JIZAI Workplace (in Japanese only)" enables teams to communicate as if they are in the same room, even when physically apart. This service accelerates innovation among startups and academia gathering in the city.
• Compared to conventional web conferencing systems, conversation volume has been shown to increase by 48%, thereby accelerating the generation of innovative ideas across remote locations.

For further details about Takanawa Gateway City initiatives, please refer to the attached separate document.

<Separate Document>

At Takanawa Gateway City, in addition to the aforementioned solution, the following initiatives will be implemented:

1. AR Service to Enliven City Events

• AR technology linked with events held at Takanawa Gateway City will be used to enhance the urban experience.
• At Gateway Park, the plaza in front of the station, an AR content experience will be offered that interacts with "The 100-Color Path" ―a gate-shaped art installation by Emmanuel Muho representing 100 years of time flow in 100 colors―providing a rich, digitally immersive interactive experience that leverages the city's scale.

2. Creating Innovation Using City Data

• Members from the domestic and international startup companies at JR East's business creation facility "LiSH" will be enabled to develop services by utilizing both urban data provided by the Urban OS and railway data. This includes testing ideas on a digital twin simulation environment.
• By connecting the LiSH facility and "Block71" ―Singapore's largest incubation facility―through the Remote-connecting Communication Service "KUKAN-JIZAI Workplace (in Japanese only)", global networking will further drive the creation of innovative ideas.

• For more information on KDDI's initiatives at Takanawa Gateway City (in Japanese only)

■Renewal of the "Flexible Workspace Project" Basic Joint Agreement

The basic joint agreement toward realizing the "Flexible Workspace Project" originally concluded in 2020 will be renewed in April 2025. Based on further utilization of generative AI and data, various initiatives at Takanawa Gateway City will be advanced. In the future, efforts will be expanded into urban development areas such as JR East's broader Shinagawa region, with an eye toward nationwide expansion.

■KDDI Data Clean Room

• We have developed the "KDDI Data Clean Room," a secure environment that enables companies to combine their privately held personal information with information from KDDI without disclosing such data externally. By using the KDDI Data Clean Room, companies can process and combine data so that no individual can be identified, and then use the results as statistical information for marketing and other purposes.
• The KDDI Data Clean Room employs PETs (Privacy-Enhancing Technologies), such as secure multi-party computation, to ensure that customer information is analyzed in a highly secure environment. KDDI has obtained several patents related to these technologies to realize cutting-edge privacy protection.
• The KDDI Data Clean Room is provided to companies that meet the following conditions as defined by our company:
  ―Companies that satisfy privacy and data governance conditions and that are deemed strategically important for creating new social value through partnerships.
• • For details regarding the KDDI Data Clean Room (in Japanese only)

  For inquiries, please contact our Corporate Customer Center:

<Corporate Customer Center>

Free Call: 0077-7051 (toll free)
Free Call: 0800-777-7051 (toll free)
Reception Hours: 9:00-18:00 (excluding New Year holidays)

(Reference)

■About WAKONX

WAKONX is a brand born out of the concept of accelerating Japan's digital transformation―and realizing KDDI VISION 2030's goal, "Evolving the 'Power to Connect' to Create a Society Where Anyone Can Achieve Their Dreams." It is an AI-era business platform composed of three functional groups. Through WAKONX, optimized network design and construction, as well as data accumulation, integration, and analysis, are achieved. By providing services and solutions embedded with AI tailored to various industries, we support business growth for corporate customers and contribute to solving social issues.