Railway System Innovation through ICT and Open Innovation

「We will position fiscal 2026 as the “first year of AI and DX” and advance related initiatives.」

「A touchless ticket gate using millimeter-wave communications was developed, and evaluation testing under the required conditions is being conducted with a view to practical implementation.」

「In addition, equipment for providing customer guidance without face-to-face contact or physical contact was installed at some ticket gates at 5 stations: Makuhari-Toyosuna, Shin-Narashino, Meguro, Osaki and Shimbashi.」

「Monitoring equipment for track, power facilities and rolling-stock equipment while trains are in service is being installed on revenue trains, and research and development toward smart maintenance, including condition-based maintenance (CBM), is progressing.」

「In addition, because the equipment development area for “ATACS Conversion Work on Major Tokyo Metropolitan Area Line Sections,” a transportation improvement project in the transportation business, was expanded, the planned total was changed to ¥61,091 million. During the first 3 quarters of the fiscal year, the company commenced the following project as a safety and reliable-transportation measure in the transportation business. Project Total construction cost (¥ million) Completion Transportation business Installation of Shinkansen bogie monitoring equipment 16,958 Fiscal 2026」

「• Testing toward the introduction of automated operation was conducted on the Joetsu Shinkansen between Niigata Station and the Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center in October 2021, and during service hours on the Yamanote Line in February 2022. • From November 2021, the overhead-line equipment monitoring system automatically assessed equipment condition using cameras installed on the East-i electrical and track inspection train together with AI.」

「• To accumulate and verify the technologies required for automated Shinkansen operation, testing using an E7 Series train was conducted between Niigata Station and the Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center on the Joetsu Shinkansen line from October to November 2021. • For overhead-line equipment monitoring, which had been conducted since April 2021, trial operation of a system using AI to automatically determine whether equipment was in good condition began in November.」

「• CalTa Co., Ltd. was established in July 2021 by the subsidiary JR East Startup Co., Ltd., JR East Consultants Co., Ltd. and others, with the aim of acquiring point-cloud data and other data using small drones for use in construction and maintenance management. • Demonstration testing toward Level 3 automated operation was conducted on the Kesennuma Line BRT between Yanaizu and Rikuzen-Yokoyama, and an event allowing participants to experience automated operation was held in September 2021.」

「From April 2021, overhead-line equipment monitoring was conducted across 38 sections covering approximately 5,800 km, using cameras installed on the East-i electrical and track inspection train to assess the condition of catenary equipment from captured image data.」

「• Continued running tests of the ALFA-X test train toward realizing the next-generation Shinkansen. • To accumulate and verify the technologies required for automated Shinkansen operation, testing was scheduled for around autumn 2021 using an E7 Series train between Niigata Station and the Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center on the Joetsu Shinkansen line. • The Mobility Transformation Consortium was established in September 2017 to create a forum for transforming mobility through open innovation, and various demonstration tests were conducted in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019. As of 2 April 2021, 141 companies and organizations, including transportation operators, Japanese and overseas manufacturers, and research institutions, were participating.」

「・To introduce a new train control system using GNSS and mobile communications networks in fiscal 2024, conducted running tests on the Hachiko Line from September 2020 ・In November 2020, introduced an AI-based method for detecting sudden gusts into train operating restrictions using Doppler radar on sections of the Uetsu and Rikuu-West lines ・To realize next-generation Shinkansen trains, conducted running tests of the ALFA-X test vehicle ・Advanced preparations for tests using E7 Series trains around autumn 2021 to accumulate and verify the technologies required for automated Shinkansen operation」

「To realize next-generation Shinkansen trains, conducted running tests of the ALFA-X test vehicle.」

「The company established the Mobility Transformation Consortium in September 2017 to create a platform for transforming mobility through open innovation and conducted various demonstration tests in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019. As of 28 April 2020, 151 companies and organizations, including transportation operators, manufacturers in Japan and overseas, and research institutions, were participating.」

「To realize next-generation Shinkansen trains, completed the ALFA-X test vehicle in May 2019 and began preparations to start running tests.」

「・Conducted demonstration testing to create new businesses and services through the JR East Startup Program, commercializing 5 of them ・To realize next-generation Shinkansen trains, advanced preparations to complete the ALFA-X test vehicle in May 2019 and begin running tests ・Advanced preparations to install track facility monitoring equipment on conventional-line trains, with the aim of introducing technology for remotely monitoring track conditions on 50 lines by the end of fiscal 2020」

「To realize next-generation Shinkansen trains, the company advanced the design and production of the ALFA-X test vehicle with the aim of completing it in May 2019.」

「The company commercialized technology for remotely monitoring track conditions using track facility monitoring equipment installed on conventional-line trains and advanced preparations to introduce it on 50 lines by the end of fiscal 2020.」

「In June 2018, the company established the Technology Innovation Promotion Headquarters as a cross-functional internal organization to rapidly advance operational reform and the creation of new services and value through technological innovation based on open innovation, as set out in its management vision.」

「The company established the Mobility Transformation Consortium to create a platform for transforming mobility through open innovation and advanced collaboration with transportation operators, manufacturers in Japan and overseas, research institutions and others. Total research and development expenses for the fiscal year were ¥18.1 billion.」

「As part of the Group's research and development activities during the nine months ended the third quarter, the transportation business began producing ALFA-X, a Shinkansen test vehicle, to advance development toward the realization of next-generation Shinkansen trains under the Medium- to Long-Term Vision for Technological Innovation. In addition to providing safe, high-speed transportation, the company aims to provide new value.」

「As part of the Group's research and development activities during the six months ended the second quarter, the transportation business began producing ALFA-X, a Shinkansen test vehicle, to advance development toward the realization of next-generation Shinkansen trains under the Medium- to Long-Term Vision for Technological Innovation. In addition to providing safe, high-speed transportation, the company aims to provide new value.」

「With a view to advances in technologies such as IoT, big data and AI, the company formulated a Medium- to Long-Term Vision for Technological Innovation to realize technological innovation ahead of its time.」

「During the nine months ended the third quarter, the company formulated a Medium- to Long-Term Vision for Technological Innovation to realize technological innovation ahead of its time. By leveraging IoT, big data and AI, it aims to thoroughly review the services provided by the Group from the customer perspective and realize a Mobility Revolution beyond conventional thinking.」

「The company advanced research and development aimed at improving stability at high speeds and reducing the environmental impact along the railway line, with the goal of commercial operation at 360 km/h.」