■Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have engaged in feasibility study experiments for the "Tokyo Ubiquitous
Technology Project." This experiment aims to design a city based on the idea of "Universal design," makes the city more attractive and dynamic for tourism and commercial promotion, and allows anyone to explore the environs comfortably and safely using the advanced Ubiquitous ID Technology. In FY2005, the feasibility study experiments were held in Ueno-Onshi Park and Ueno Onshi Zoological Garden. This experiment proved very popular, and an animal information service is now
provided throughout the zoo. Since FY2006, the “Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project in Ginza” has been carried out in Ginza, which is one of the most well-known downtown areas in Japan, in cooperation with the Ginza Association.

 

Many ucode Markers within Tokyo

 

●Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project (Ginza/Shinjuku)

Ginza and Shinjuku are two of the most well-known downtown areas of Tokyo in Japan and have many commercial facilities throughout these areas. As many foreign tourists also visit the Ginza and Shinjuku areas, tourist information in multiple languages is necessary. Furthermore, since there are many underground passages in the Ginza and Shinjuku areas, smooth route navigation from underground passages to street level roads is necessary. Therefore, various types of feasibility study experiments have been implemented in Ginza and Shinjuku to verify business models and system technologies which are compatible with these conditions. Finally, free terminal rentals have been launched aiming for practical use in eight hotels and tourist information centers in Ginza and Shinjuku this fiscal year.

Tokyo Ubiquitous Technology Project
URL: http://www.tokyo-ubinavi.jp/

 

 

 

■Ubiquitous Sightseeing Guidance Service (Nara)

Nara Prefecture is scheduled to provide a ubiquitous sightseeing guidance service using Ubiquitous Communicator (UC) in the Nara Park area from April 2010 as part of a project for celebrating the 1300th anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital. A system environment and operation system for actual operation based on the achievements of the Nara Free Mobility Assistance Project which has been deployed since FY2006 are also being built this fiscal year.

 

 

■"Mobile Phone KOBE Tourism Spot Search," "Mobile Phone Arima Walk Rally,"

　"Shopping Support Service," MIC Construction of Local Community Models through

　ICT Utilization (Kobe City)

"Projects for Construction of Local Community Models through ICT Utilization" was entrusted to Kobe City by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The city is utilizing ucodes and ucode QR in "Mobile Phone KOBE Tourism Spot Search," "Mobile Phone Arima Tour Walk Rally," and "Shopping Support Service" as part of an assistance project for tourists, etc. aimed at promoting Kobe as a city of tourism and realizing a society built on the idea of "universal design."

 

 

■International u-City Tokyo Project, MIC Projects to Establish a Platform for the

　Vitalization of ICT and Local Economy (Ubiquitous Zone), (TOKYO, YRP)

This project is performing a feasibility study on an information provision service for expanding the activity area of foreign tourists to the metropolitan area centered in Ginza and Shinjuku with a ubiquitous guide book that stores GPS data in location ucodes.

 

 

■International u-City Tokyo Project, MIC Projects to Establish a Platform for the
　Vitalization of ICT and Local Economy (Ubiquitous Zone), (Kashiwanoha: Mitsui Fudosan)

By taking advantage of wireless markers, cameras, sensors, etc., "Location Grid," which is an infrastructure for comprehensively understanding "what" is occurring "where", will be built. At the same time, a service using the infrastructure will be developed and a feasibility study on the service will be performed in the Kashiwanoha area.

 

 

■Mixed Reality Information Service "MIC Ubiquiotus Town Project" YRP

For visitors to the Yokosuka Research Park (YRP), a service for explaining the various equipment in the facility and tourist facilities, etc. in a lucid manner in Yokosuka City using state-of-the-art ubiquitous computing technology known as Mixed Reality (MR) will be provided.

 

 

■Yomitan Ubiquitous Technology Village Project (Yomitan)

There are various tangible and intangible cultural and tourism related resources in Yomitan Village, Okinawa Prefecture such as the Zakimi Castle Ruins World Heritage Site. In order to have these resources contribute to the promotion of sightseeing, the "Ubiquitous Yomitan Yuimaru System" is being built using ubiquitous ID technology. With the concept of the "Yomitan Ubiquitous Technology Village Project," the provision of "only for this season, or for today" information on festivals, events, tourist facilities in the region, recommended products in stores, etc. is scheduled.

 

 

■METI Low Carbon Region Model Project by EV/pHV Introduction (Aomori)

As part of the "Low Carbon Region Model Project by EV/ PHV Introduction," Aomori Prefecture has been working on the development of Approaching Vehicle Alert System for pedestrians using wireless communication with the aim of preventing accidents caused by small ambient noise of EV/PHV vehicles. Moreover, a general public study experiment was implemented for six days from November 5, 2009 to publicize deployment and feasibility studies for this fiscal year both inside and outside of Aomori.

 

 

 

■METI "e-Space Feasibility Study Project"

As part of the "New Market Creation Promotion Project from the Integration of IT and Services (e-Space feasibility Study Project)," an information provision service offering customized information in accordance with user's location will be conducted by utilizing technologies such as ucodes, ucR (ucode Relation), etc. An "e-Space platform" which can be used commonly from various places will be built, and a service for revitalizing the region will be deployed in Shibuya and Matsuyama. The effects on users such as triggering new actions will be tested for practical use in the next fiscal year and beyond. The feasibility study service of this fiscal year is scheduled from November 2009 to March 2010.

 

●"pin@clip" (Shibuya: TOKYU CORPORATION)
Tokyu Corporation has taken a major role of this project where information on stores, local business newspapers, the weather, etc. is gathered in an "e-Space Platform." Users can receive the information with terminals (iPhone, etc.) through a service utilizing technologies such as AR in Shibuya.

 

●"Puratto Plat@Matsuyama" (Matsuyama: SPC)
In Matsuyama, SPC Co., Ltd. has taken leadership of this project that gathers information on sightseeing spots and stores around Dogo Onsen Hot Spring in Matsuyama in an "e-Space Platform." Users can use this service to receive navigation and other information suited to the current location and attributes of the user with terminals (Ubiquitous Communicator).

 

 

 

■Dissemination of Ubiquitous Location Information Infrastructure
　MLIT "Promotion of Mobility Support Project"

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been implementing the "Promotion of the Mobility Support" policy since FY2009 with the aim of disseminating and promoting the mobility support system utilizing ubiquitous technology. This policy promotes the dissemination and development of mobility support services utilizing ubiquitous technology, etc. with the aim of creating an environment where pedestrians can acquire information on their movements as the need arises so they can move comfortably and safely without worry, and actively go about their daily lives. This year, the Mobility Support Project is being implemented to support approaches working on regional dissemination and deployment in seven locations across the country in Isumi City, Sumida-ku and Ginza in Chuo-ku in Tokyo, Kobe City, Imai-cho in Kashihara City, Muroto City in Kochi Prefecture, and Tenjin in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

 

●Imai-cho Ubiquitous Project

The Imai-cho Ubiquitous Technology Project Association has been implementing the "Imai-cho Ubiquitous Technology Project" as part of the Mobility Support Project of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Using Ubiquitous Communicator, this project provide the information on the streets, a sightseeing guidance on the routes and facilities, etc. in the preservation area of important traditional building in Imai-cho, Kashihara city, Nara prefecture which is well known as a town where an Edo period cityscape has remained unchanged.

 

 

●"people friendly city" (Isumi City)

The Isumi City Mobility Support Project Promotion Association installed ucodeQRs in major stations on the JR Sotobō Line, major stations along the Isumi Railway, city bus stops, stores along shopping arcades, and tourist areas, etc. The city aims to create a "people friendly city" by providing an information service on barrier-free stores, barrier-free bathrooms, medical institutions, tourist areas, restaurants and traffic information in addition to a route navigation service.