A project by a research group from the Nagoya University Graduate School of Informatics has been selected as an outstanding entry to the Winter Digi Denden-Koshien, an initiative run by the Cabinet Office which aims to solve region-specific issues and improve the livelihoods of residents using technology.
The group, led by Professor Takami Yasuda, Associate Professor Mamoru Kondo and Associate Professor Mayu Urata, have been working on their project in the city of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. The project, "Improving Tourism though Academia-Industry and Public-Private Collaboration on Local Data Production", is based on AI analysis of the movement of people through popular sightseeing areas in the city to improve efficiency. It assists local businesses in planning their opening hours around when the maximum number of interested people will be in their area, and, through an interactive map application, tourists in planning their visits around busy times to keep a steady flow of people through popular spots.
The project has previously won multiple awards, and was selected as the best of the 172 entries in this initiative through an online poll and a panel of experts. The award ceremony took place at the Prime Minister's official residence on March 9.
Back row, far left: Associate Professor Mayu Urata (Image courtesy of the Cabinet Office of Japan)
Read more: Cabinet Office Website (in Japanese)