AI-Enhanced Lost-and-Found Services Gain Momentum in Japan
Rewritten Article:
Losing something on the train can be a bummer, but AI might just be your ticket back to your misplaced belongings. In Japan, a tech-savvy move is putting AI to work, sorting and cataloging lost items, and providing information to help you get them back.
Over 30 organizations, ranging from city transportation bureaus to airports and police departments, have joined forces with Find Inc., a Tokyo-based IT firm, to introduce a lost-and-found platform at around 2,300 locations. Keio Corp, a Tokyo-based railway operator, has seen a significant boost in returned lost items, rising from under 10% to a whopping 30%, thanks to the AI-powered system.
When you report a missing item, employees snap a photo using their tablets. Find's AI system then inspects the item's color, shape, and other distinguishing features before storing the data, along with the photos, in a database. Owners can make inquiries via messaging apps, providing details about the lost item, like where and when it was lost, its unique features, and photos. Even if you only have a vague description or no photo, the AI offers multiple possible matches, ranked by probability.
In July 2024, Yurikamome Inc, the operator of an automated monorail transit service in Tokyo, introduced the AI system. Managing over 15,000 lost items each year, the number of inquiries has dropped noticeably. Previously, they relied on Excel spreadsheets for categorizing lost items, but Find's AI system has slashed the time needed to locate them.
Users have praised the service for its quick and efficient help in recovering their items. Certain departments of the Tokyo and Oita police departments also use the platform for their lost-and-found services, expediting the process by eliminating the need to verify items at the storage warehouse.
The integration of AI in lost-and-found services in Japan is a good sign of things to come. Tokyo Metro is exploring the use of generative AI and LLM solutions, employing chatbots for gathering information and automating email responses to streamline lost item inquiries and improve response accuracy and operational efficiency[1]. Meanwhile, Japan's broader adoption of AI in areas like manufacturing and customer service underscores its potential for enhancing operational efficiency, which could pave the way for even better lost-and-found services in the future.
[1] https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/metro/stlouis-metro-reimagines-lost-and-found-services-using-ai/[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoinsinsights/2021/06/08/japanese-entertainment-giant-asatsu-daiko-explores-using-ai-for-human-resources-and-payroll-management/?sh=7be97ec6133e[3] https://www.rakuten.co.jp/press/2021/091501.html
- The integration of artificial intelligence in lost-and-found services, as demonstrated by Find Inc in Japan, could potentially revolutionize the process of recovering misplaced belongings.
- Beyond lost-and-found services, the technology sector in Japan is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence, as seen in the explorations by Tokyo Metro for using generative AI and chatbots to streamline lost item inquiries.
- In the realm of transportation, Yurikamome Inc, an automated monorail transit service operator in Tokyo, has observed a significant reduction in the number of inquiries and an improvement in operational efficiency after integrating AI into their lost-and-found services.
- The potential of artificial intelligence is not limited to the tech industry; it is also being explored in areas like manufacturing and customer service, indicating a broader adoption in Japan, enhancing operational efficiency across various sectors.
