What is Hyper Automation x Smart City? Their characteristics, practical examples, and NTT's efforts

Have you ever heard the terms "hyper-automation" and "smart cities" respectively? As IT and AI technologies continue to evolve by leaps and bounds, both are becoming indispensable in the real world. However, hyper-automation and smart cities are still not well understood by the public and many people may have a hard time visualizing what they mean.

In this article, we will discuss the two technologies, give some practical examples and details of NTT's efforts.

1) What is Hyper Automation?

Hyperautomation refers to an approach or strategy for automating complex business processes by integrating cutting-edge automation technologies such as AI and RPA.

Hyperautomation integrates machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), natural language processing (NLP), analytics, and other automation technologies to automate various business processes within an organization.

Examples of tasks that can be easily automated include automatically handling the procurement of regularly ordered materials, automatically contacting specific departments and personnel, and automatically generating documents based on demand predicted by AI.

The appeal of hyper-automation is that it can automate a variety of processes according to the site where it is introduced and the way it is used. In addition to improving productivity and operational efficiency, it can also be expected to improve business facilitation, reduce errors, and improve accuracy.

2) What is Smart City?

Smart city is a concept that aims to improve the lives of residents by efficiently managing urban infrastructure and services using advanced information and communication technologies. By utilizing new technologies, management can be made more sophisticated, facilitating the identification and improvement of problems faced by cities, regions, and other areas.

Management in a smart city refers to planning, maintenance, and operation. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a major step toward the creation of sustainable cities and regions, which is being promoted in many regions today.

The concept of smart city is evolving toward sustainable development and efficient operation of cities, and is being considered and practiced in cities around the world.

3) What is HyperAutomation and Smart Cities?

How are hyper-automation and smart cities being used today? Here are some examples.

Local Governments

One municipality is using image recognition AI and has installed surveillance cameras to monitor people in real time. Through the cameras, AI automatically detects scenes where support is needed, such as a person who has fallen or a person walking with a cane, and requests the dispatch of a crime prevention/security company.

This is a local initiative being implemented as part of efforts to create a society where everyone can live safely.

Train Stations

AI technology has been used to conduct monitoring surveys in front of train stations, which are crowded with many users every day. Using AI technology, we analyzed station users and vehicles stopping at the station to visualize the amount of time they spend at the station and the amount of traffic generated. We were able to clarify what types of people and vehicles were using the station.

The data obtained through AI technology will be used as a valuable source of information for the realization of smart cities in the future—for example, when considering how to utilize station fronts and as a reference for urban development.

Automobile Manufacturers

An automobile manufacturer is currently building a smart city in a municipality. The project is in an area where the automaker has developed factories in the past, and is scheduled to begin occupancy in 2025.

With more than 3,000 applicants already having applied to live there, the project is attracting a great deal of attention even before it opens. In cooperation with energy companies and NTT, the city plans to implement initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality and develop a smart city platform.

4) NTT's Approach to Hyper Automation

NTT is engaged in a number of hyper-automation initiatives. For more details, please refer to the following website.

NTT R&D Website -Operation Process Classification Type Business Design Support Technology (Japanese-language)
https://www.rd.ntt/as/history/process/pr0017.html

• 

  NTT DOCOMO

• 

  NTT Communications

• 

  NTT EAST

• 

  NTT WEST

• 

  NTT DATA

Group Companies