Trading house prepares pilot programs, angling for slice of government investment
Japanese trading house Itochu is joining a smart city project in the southern Taiwan city of Tainan, trialing AI systems for transportation and energy data management with an eye toward winning bigger business.
Itochu was the sole contract winner among bids on a smart city project in the Shalun area being developed by the Tainan government and others. The early-stage contract is worth 10.8 million New Taiwan dollars ($332,000).
The goal is to roll out systems on a trial basis by the end of October. The Taiwanese government plans to earmark NT$10 billion for artificial intelligence-related projects, with Itochu aiming to win a slice of this as well.
Itochu will collaborate with Taiwanese IT company Accton Technology and National Cheng Kung University, among others. This is the first time the trading house has officially participated in an overseas smart city project.
Tainan is a large city, home to chip plants run by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. With Itochu's participation, the city hopes to acquire know-how in urban development using digital technology.
The company plans to help optimize routes for electric buses now operating in Tainan, using AI to analyze reservations made by passengers via apps and other means. It is considering providing a system that subsidiary Itochu Techno-Solutions trialed in the Japanese city of Kawasaki.
Other systems to be installed include one to measure the flow of people using poles for cameras and digital signage, and solar power generation for small shops.
Another proposal under consideration would reward consumers who help conserve energy, such as by traveling by bicycle, with points that can be exchanged for discounts when shopping.
Itochu plans to develop and introduce a system to centrally manage data on wind and solar power generation. In addition to its real estate development expertise, the trading house has accumulated know-how in developing digital technology.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Shin Watanabe
Quelle/Source: Nikkei Asia, 13.07.2024
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