NTT DOCOMO to Trial Innovative New Pest Monitoring Solution
TOKYO, JAPAN, September 6, 2018 --- NTT DOCOMO, INC. (DOCOMO) announced today that it plans to commence trials of a new greenhouse pest monitoring device which uses an ultra low-power battery operated wireless HD camera in conjunction with image recognition functionality based on DOCOMO's AI technology.
During the trial, which will take place during September to March 2019, photos will be taken of pests captured by traps set up in greenhouses to help improve the image recognition accuracy of the device. The company aims to develop a solution which will enable farmers and officials from the agriculture sector to carry out remote monitoring of greenhouse environments, which will improve efficiency and help stabilize yields.
New technology is required allowing IoT devices such as fixed point cameras to run for sustained periods of time on very low currents, because of the difficulty in securing stable power sources in farming environments and various other locations. To address this need, DOCOMO has made a strategic investment in Locix, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up developer of ultra low-power wireless sensor networking and high-precision local positioning wireless technology. The Locix platform uniquely captures the spatial, visual and sensor data essential for the digitization of the physical world. The investment was made through NTT DOCOMO Ventures, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DOCOMO, on July 10, 2018.
The visual sensor solution provided by Locix comprises an HD camera, a network switch and a Locix cloud API. It deploys 920MHz radio communication and patented ultra low-power wireless sensor networking technology which allows the cameras to be run and image data to be transferred via the switches for up to several years (1) using battery power alone. The solution will also allow the addition of other services through the interconnection of Locix cloud API with other systems, including DOCOMO systems.
Going forward, DOCOMO plans to digitize the information collected by remote devices in farming environments and deploy the Locix visual sensor solution in other sectors beyond agriculture. These will include warehousing, merchandising and the security industry, thereby contributing to the expansion of DOCOMO's business solution portfolio.
(1) On the assumption that photos are taken once an hour.
About NTT DOCOMO
NTT DOCOMO, Japan's leading mobile operator with over 76 million subscriptions, is one of the world's foremost contributors to 3G, 4G and 5G mobile network technologies. Beyond core communications services, DOCOMO is challenging new frontiers in collaboration with a growing number of entities ("+d" partners), creating exciting and convenient value-added services that change the way people live and work. Under a medium-term plan toward 2020 and beyond, DOCOMO is pioneering a leading-edge 5G network to facilitate innovative services that will amaze and inspire customers beyond their expectations. DOCOMO is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (9437). https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/.
About NTT DOCOMO Ventures
NTT DOCOMO Ventures, the NTT Group's corporate venture capital firm, aims to accelerate innovation for creation of new services, disruptive technologies and innovative processes serving as a primary channel for startup companies and venture communities on behalf of the NTT Group, Japan's leading ICT service provider. We proactively enhance cooperation with exceptional entrepreneurs on a worldwide scale by providing capital from our corporate venture funds and vast business development opportunities with the NTT Group companies. www.nttdocomo-v.com/en/