Issue #2: Forecasting flood damage with AI and drones
An innovative solution from Tokyo startup Arithmer.
Hello everyone,
And welcome to the second issue of TÉKUNI, a newsletter about technology in Japan. You can read more about it here.
This issue is about the devastating floods that are plaguing Japan right now, and how technology is being used to tackle this emergency.
Tsuyu (梅雨) is the rainy season in Japan. The term means "plum rain", as it coincides with the season of plums ripening.
Caused by the collision of cold northerly and warm southerly air masses, Tsuyu lasts from the beginning of June to mid-July.
Understandably, excessive rain can cause flooding in areas where infrastructures are not built solidly enough to withstand large amounts of rainwater.
This year, the rainy season was particularly harsh in Japan.
Flooding and landslides caused by torrential rains have damaged or destroyed 592 houses in the Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu region.
As a consequence of the disaster, about 2,000 people are now living in shelters, and 71 people have been confirmed dead.
In order to prevent such situations from happening again in the future, Tokyo-based startup Arithmer is now developing a system using drones and AI to forecast damages caused by torrential rains.
I have spoken with Daisuke Sato, Arithmer CTO, about the company’s latest efforts.
👨💻 TÉKUNI Exclusive - Daisuke Sato, Arithmer CTO
Daisuke started his journey as Arithmer’s CTO six months ago.
Before that, he obtained a PhD in theoretical physics from Kyoto University and worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the US, Italy, and Germany.
Now, Daisuke is working with Arithmer to help the startup build technological solutions that will help people live better.
Arithmer began as a startup company originated from the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences.
“It is Arithmer’s believe is that mathematics is the foundation of all sciences and technologies.”
The company focuses on building AI systems and solutions that will improve work efficiency and produce helpful results for society.
“In Japan, disasters such as earthquakes or floods often occur. Therefore, we wanted to create an AI-based system that could deal with such disasters.”
The tech behind this project combines artificial intelligence with drone technology, and Arithmer developed it particularly to predict flooding patterns.
“We have created the system by using the combination of fluid simulation and AI.”
A CG image of flood damage in the Fukushima Prefecture. Credit: Arithmer.
The software can complete simulations that usually would take days in a matter of hours, as the AI system learns characteristics of each area based on a variety of factors.
These include estimated rainfalls, water levels in rivers and the locations of dams within the map.
The measurement data is collected from drones, then compiled by the AI to show the possible flow of floodwaters from rivers and streams on a 3D map.
The computerised reproductions created by the software are very accurate, with estimated precision levels of 1 centimetre by 1 cm, and the software can pinpoint the most likely scenarios in a list of a 100.
The project is already attracting the authorities’ attention, with the coastal town of Hirono in Fukushima Prefecture becoming the first municipality to sign an agreement with Arithmer in June to utilise the technology in a real-world scenario.
Arithmer is currently working on revising the hazard map to include more information and help authorities to better plan for emergencies caused by flooding.
❓ Want to find out more about the latest tech news in Japan?
🔗 Here is the newsletter’s link section:
New bullet train debuts on line linking Tokyo and Osaka - Kyodo
Rakuten Mobile UN-LIMIT applications exceed 1 million - Japan Today
Japan invents battery 90% cheaper than lithium-ion - The Japan Times
Japan and US sign deal for lunar project cooperation - NHK News
UAE's Mars orbiter successfully launched by Mitsubishi rocket - Kyodo
Japan's coronavirus tracing app resumes - NHK News
UK asks Japan for Huawei alternatives in 5G networks - Japan Today
Japan approves dexamethasone as coronavirus treatment - Reuters
AI disinfection robots debut at new station in Tokyo - Kyodo
Japan and Britain sign encryption keys’ trade pact - Japan Today
IBM partners with business and academia on quantum PCs - Reuters
Japan's rainfall in early July hits a 20-year high - NHK News
Pandemic delays Yahoo Japan and Line merger - Yahoo News
Only 3 registered on contact-tracing app - NHK News
Competition between streaming services heats up in Japan - Kyodo
Japan's KDDI joins smartphone addiction research - NHK News
Remote workers more vulnerable to cyberattacks - The Japan Times
Government struggles to achieve “e-Japan” - NHK News
Tokyo users pay high fees for mobile data usage - The Japan Times
AI simulates tourism infection risk - NHK News
Vending machines now use face recognition software - Sora News 24
Robot to clock in at a convenience store - Reuters
Tokyo in 60 frames-per-second, 107 years in the past - Sora News 24
New karaoke machines give singers clearer voice - Kyodo
Fast food chain’s robot helps people work remotely - Sora News 24
Virus-hit apparel makers use AI to find trend colours & designs - Kyodo
Japanese engineers continue working on a giant Gundam - AV Club
Covid-19 prevention leads to holographic touchscreens - Sora News 24
Sony’s Wearable Air Conditioner is Here - Gizmodo
Smart face mask translates Japanese into 8 languages - TimeOut
Testing begins of local digital currency in Japan - NHK News
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