2023
Sept.4, 2023
Iizuka City
Pragtech Inc.
MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
Iizuka City in Fukuoka Prefecture, Pragtech and MinebeaMitsumi Begin a Joint Demonstration Project for Next-Generation Parking Lots in Iizuka City
Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture ("Iizuka City" hereinafter), Pragtech Inc. ("Pragtech" hereinafter) and MinebeaMitsumi Inc. ("MinebeaMitsumi" hereinafter) will begin a joint demonstration project in Iizuka City this year for a new parking system that utilizes AI cameras, parking sensors, and next-generation software including blockchain technology.
Parking lots are an important piece of infrastructure when using a car, but currently many parking lots face numerous issues in terms of both usage and management. For users, a trouble of losing a parking/service ticket is likely to occur, and it is generally said that a shift to digital payments is yet behind. On the other hand, operating costs such as maintenance and cash collection, as well as capital investment, are a major burden for operators, which is one of the reasons for the shortage of parking spaces, especially in urban areas.
The next-generation parking system, which the two companies are jointly conducting a demonstration project, will combine Pragtech's AI, blockchain and Cloud service related technologies with MinebeaMitsumi's sensor and network construction technologies to support users in Iizuka City and it will greatly improve the convenience of customers and the profitability of parking lot operators.
About the joint demonstration project in Iizuka City
Iizuka City plays a role in forming a startup ecosystem base in Fukuoka Prefecture, and is particularly focused on collaboration with private companies in the blockchain field. Pragtech has been selected for the Iizuka City Advanced Information Technology Demonstration and Support Project, which was solicited by Iizuka City in 2023 for the purpose of creating new industries and regional corporate clusters. Also, MinebeaMitsumi has deep ties with Iizuka City, where its group company MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD. has been based in Iizuka City for over 50 years, contributing to the development of local industry and job creation.
This joint demonstration project was realized based on this background, and the project will introduce a system that can detect cars entering/exiting parking lots at low cost and in a short period of time, and will improve reliability and integration while testing in actual operating environment. In addition, the project will make payments easy with cashless using a QR code and a smartphone, and it will verify the feasibility of commercialization in terms of user experience and pricing, looking ahead of its actual operation.
Future developments
We will proceed with the development of a one-stop service that provides real-time information on parking lots near user's destination, displaying availability and price to make a reservation possible using map apps or car navigation systems. We will also develop a service that enables ticketless and automatic payment across parking lots operated by different companies by collating pre-registered vehicle numbers on a license plate information read by AI cameras installed in parking lots.
This time, as the first step, we will support the digitalization of parking lots in Iizuka City, and in the future, we aim to expand it to the nationwide parking market, which is said to have 7 million car parking spaces across Japan.
Image of the joint demonstration project site in Iizuka City
Parking lots can be operated with minimal equipment such as parking sensors and a QR code signboard for payment.
Information detected by parking sensors is linked to the cloud via a gateway.
Conceptual diagram of future development
Image of future site (when using AI camera)
Comments from each organization
Iizuka City: Kenji Kuse, Acting Mayor of Iizuka City
I am very pleased that Pragtech and MinebeaMitsumi will be collaborating to develop the next generation parking, an unprecedented new parking lot business model by combining the technologies of both companies, in our city as a demonstration field. Our city will continue to provide support, hoping that such collaboration between companies will be realized through the use of cutting-edge information technology, and hope that the results will become a model for the local economy that will lead to a richer life for citizens.
Pragtech: Yusuke Oshiro, CEO
"Shift society through parking" is our mission and we are a startup company aiming to digitize parking lots. We are very delighted to be able to demonstrate the next-generation parking in Iizuka City with our wonderful partner MinebeaMitsumi. We believe that the essence of next-generation parking lots is "automation of payments in all parking lots," and in addition to entry/exit detection technology that can be used in various parking lots, we will also develop new parking usage and management experience utilizing blockchain.
MinebeaMitsumi: Hiroaki Kainuma, Advisory Manager
Our main business is manufacturing and selling of mechanical and electronic components such as bearings and motors, but in recent years we have also been focusing on businesses that solve social issues such as smart city solutions. It is a great delight for us to be able to work with Pragtech to conduct a demonstration experiment of a next-generation parking lot here in Iizuka City, where we have a close connection. By proposing a new approach to parking lots that is linked to urban development, we will not only enrich the lives of the people of Iizuka City, but also make a major contribution to the development of parking lots in Japan.
About Iizuka City
Iizuka City is working to support venture companies and developing digital capable human resources, and playing a role in forming a startup ecosystem base in Fukuoka Prefecture.
In March 2022, the City formulated the "Iizuka City Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Vision" to promote human resource development, R&D support, and entry of companies in the blockchain field. In Iizuka City, where many people use private cars as a means of daily transportation, improving the convenience of car use will lead to an improvement in the lives of citizens. In this environment, Iizuka City is decided to collaborate with Pragtech and MinebeaMitsumi on this joint demonstration project to implement smart parking in society, with the aim of realizing a rich and convenient citizen's life and solving regional issues.
About Pragtech
Pragtech's mission is to "shift society through parking" and the company is working on the development of "Lott," a software-based parking service that solves problems associated with parking lot use and management. By promoting cashless payments and digitalization through the utilization of blockchain, Pragtech aims to achieve both a stress-free parking experience and improved productivity for operators. In May 2023, Pragtech was certified by Iizuka City as a company which participates in a publicly solicited Advanced Information Technology Demonstration and Support Project and the company plans to conduct multiple demonstration projects, including a joint demonstration project with MinebeaMitsumi.
About the MinebeaMitsumi Group
MinebeaMitsumi is aiming to strengthen its parking sensor solutions as part of strengthening its smart city-related business. In this demonstration project, we will use smart lighting technology and know-how to connect sensors and introduce a system that can detect parking lot entry and exit at low cost and in a short period of time.
MinebeaMitsumi is a comprehensive precision components manufacturer that integrates* a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, from core technologies that represents our ultra-precision machining technologies, such as miniature and small ball bearings, which boast the No.1*2 global market share, and protective ICs for single-stage lithium-ion batteries, to motors, sensors, semi-conductors, wireless technologies. Our ultra-precision technology is used in a wide range of fields including home electronics such as air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, dryers, game consoles; information devices such as smartphones and PC products, personal computers; automobiles, aviation, and space products; and medical equipment. Our products support everyone's life from behind the scenes.
* INTEGRATION means "combining" rather than "simple gathering" of the Company's proprietary technologies for the evolution of our core businesses and to create new products in various fields through the INTEGRATION of our advanced technology.
- *2 According to our research.
Media inquiries
Iizuka city, Economic Department, Economic Policy Office, Industry-University Collaboration Section
Phone:0948-22-5500(ext:1453) Fax:0948-22-6062
E-mail: sangaku@city.iizuka.lg.jp
Pragtech Inc.
Inquiry form
E-mail: pr@pragtech.jp
MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Office
Phone: +81-(0)3-6758-6703
E-mail: koffice@minebeamitsumi.com
Product information, contact and other context are subject to change without prior notice.
