Launch of Demonstration Experiment Using Edge AI Cameras with Yodoko Sakura Stadium

ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Tatsushi Shingu, President and CEO; hereinafter "CTC") will begin a demonstration experiment using edge AI camera solutions in collaboration with Yodoko Sakura Stadium (managed by: CEREZO OSAKA SPORTS CLUB; located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture). This experiment aims to collect and analyze real-time data on visitor numbers and demographic attributes to visualize and address operational challenges, while exploring measures that lead to new customer experiences, with the goal of introduction by the end of FY2025.

Yodoko Sakura Stadium is one of the few stadiums in Japan that is close to a train station, which hosts sports-related events such as soccer, rugby, and American football, and attracts over 320,000 spectators annually. It is also a venue for more than 130 events each year, such as graduation ceremonies, school entrance ceremonies and weddings.

Marking the approaching fifth anniversary of the stadium's reopening after renovation in April 2021, the stadium has been exploring new initiatives aimed at safer and more secure operations and marketing measures for its diverse visitors.

In this demonstration experiment, edge AI cameras will be installed at the stadium’s entrance gates to analyze footage, thereby visualizing and addressing previously unrecognized challenges. This will help explore measures leading to new customer experiences.

By utilizing real-time identification of visitors’ numbers, genders, and age groups, as well as data analysis and those identified visually shown in graphs and tables, the experiment aims to learn visitor trends, evaluate the effectiveness of AI cameras and digital data in determining the assortment of merchandise and food offerings, and assess the impact of signage from visitors’ perspectives, leading to improvements in advertising content and consideration of signage installation locations as verification of marketing measures. We will also explore measures for staff operational efficiency and customer satisfaction improvements, such as cares for visitors through real-time monitoring of congestion and hazardous situations.

The edge AI cameras used in this experiment is "ai cast" provided by Idein Inc., which is an edge AI camera capable of processing AI data in real-time within the device itself. It enables highly accurate analysis and detection, such as quick and accurate facial recognition and estimation of traffic flow based on the posture and behavior of subjects. The collected data, considering privacy concerns, will be stored as text data without personal information in a cloud service.

CTC has a proven track record in building systems that utilize edge AI cameras for purposes including visualization of people movement data and analysis of customer attraction at event venues. Also in this demonstration experiment, we will provide comprehensive support services for the digital transformation (DX) of Yodoko Sakura Stadium, including building environments tailored to its needs, supporting their operations, and assisting in data utilization and development by our dedicated team.

Going forward, we will contribute to enhancing customer satisfaction and formulating new initiatives across various facilities with large footfalls, such as shopping malls, convenience stores, train stations, and airports with the expertise gained through this experiment.