Akari and Oriental Shiraishi Collaborate to Automate Equipment Planning for Pneumatic Caisson Method

Automating Equipment Planning for the Pneumatic Caisson Method

In a significant advancement for the construction industry, Akari Inc., an AI startup emerging from the University of Tokyo, has joined hands with Oriental Shiraishi Corporation to develop a cutting-edge software solution aimed at automating equipment planning for the pneumatic caisson method. This innovative tool is designed to optimize placement planning automatically, significantly shortening the time typically consumed by skilled technicians.

Overview of the New Software

The newly developed system allows users to simply input site drawing data. Previously, skilled professionals would manually consider the placement of underground and above-ground equipment, a process that could take several days. With this software, multiple optimal layout proposals can be generated instantly, bringing about significant efficiency improvements and standardizing planning processes across projects.

The Importance of the Pneumatic Caisson Method

The pneumatic caisson method is utilized for constructing large foundations like bridge piers and underground structures. In this method, a reinforced concrete structure is built on the surface and then gradually lowered as workers excavate below. One of the critical steps in this process is organizing equipment within the limited underground workspace, which includes various entry points for materials and workers as well as excavation machinery. The correct arrangement is pivotal for the feasibility and efficiency of the project, making it a complex and crucial stage in construction.

However, the equipment placement planning faces several challenges, such as mutual interference among various pieces of equipment and unique constraints that differ from site to site. It is essential to secure vehicle pathways, excavation efficiency, and overall work feasibility based on these restrictive factors. Historically, achieving a placement strategy that satisfies these complex requirements heavily relied on the experience and intuition of seasoned technicians, which posed several challenges:

- Time-Intensive Planning: Even an experienced technician required several days to create a single site plan.
- Dependency on Experience: The reliance on seasoned professionals made it difficult to transfer knowledge to younger engineers.
- Limitations in Proposal Comparison: Due to the time needed to draft a single layout, comparing multiple proposals or adapting to sudden design changes was challenging.

Features of the New System

The software combines Oriental Shiraishi's extensive on-site experience with Akari's cutting-edge technology, establishing it as a practical solution that addresses real-world conditions. Some standout features include:

1. Utilization of Existing Drawings: By reading existing site drawings, the system can automatically process the outline of caissons, partitions, and equipment entry points. It can flexibly adapt to various shapes of caissons – circular, rectangular, or customized shapes – reducing the workload of manual data input.

2. Automated Layout Algorithm: The software employs a method known as simulated annealing to respect stringent safety rules. By mathematically defining the necessary safety distances between equipment and areas where installations are prohibited, it generates optimal configurations that ensure safety and efficiency.

3. Vehicle Pathway Calculations: Utilizing the Hybrid A* algorithm, the software calculates and visualizes routes for vehicles to take from entry points to equipment locations. If issues arise, such as insufficient distances between certain pieces of equipment, the software communicates problems through intuitive error messages, streamlining the planning-to-execution transition.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, both companies aim to apply this system for actual construction plans while enhancing its flexibility to accommodate varying construction conditions and future layout modifications. Akari Inc. is committed to utilizing advanced technologies like AI to address workforce shortages and the need for skill transmission in Japan's construction and civil engineering sectors, ultimately contributing to the industry's future.

About Akari Inc.

Founded in February 2021, Akari Inc. operates with the mission of "becoming a light that illuminates Japan," addressing social challenges through cutting-edge technologies like AI. They provide solutions that enhance productivity across Japan's key industries, including construction, manufacturing, logistics, and retail.