AI powers Tokyo’s new disaster response system
Hitachi’s AI system helps Tokyo respond faster to disasters by automatically detecting fires and building collapses.
Tokyo has introduced a new AI-driven system aimed at improving the speed and efficiency of disaster response efforts. The technology, developed by Hitachi Ltd., leverages high-altitude cameras to detect fires and building collapses in real-time, ensuring that emergency services receive critical information without delay.
The system is designed to automatically identify signs of disasters, such as structural collapses and fires, and immediately notify the police, fire department, and Japan’s self-defense forces. This rapid communication is intended to streamline response efforts, potentially saving lives during emergencies.
High-resolution cameras have been strategically installed at various locations across Tokyo, including the metropolitan government buildings, to support the system’s operations. The initiative is particularly significant given Japan’s ongoing concerns about the threat of a ‘mega’ earthquake.
Tokyo’s investment in AI technology reflects the city’s commitment to bolstering its disaster preparedness, aiming to safeguard its residents by ensuring quicker and more effective emergency responses.
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