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Transforming Photo Management in Construction with AI

In a groundbreaking advancement for the construction industry, Lecre has introduced a revolutionary AI technology known as Shiwake AI, which is embedded in their renowned platform Kuraemon. This innovative AI can analyze over 1.2 billion construction photos—accumulated since the launch of Kuraemon in 1999—allowing for 1,500 types of automatic sorting. This technology is poised to significantly reduce the burdens of manual photo organization and ledger creation in construction projects.

Background of Development

The construction sector has been grappling with a severe shortage of non-desk workers and escalating labor costs. As a result, there is an urgent need for automation and efficiency in the field. Construction sites often generate a daunting number of photos, sometimes ranging from hundreds for small jobs to tens of thousands for larger projects. Properly sorting these images into various categories based on criteria such as type and location is essential but can be incredibly time-consuming.

Lecre’s Shiwake AI was designed to tackle these challenges head-on. By leveraging data from over 1.2 billion photos taken over the last 26 years, the AI has been trained to recognize and apply approximately 1,500 sorting patterns automatically when photos are captured. The technology is currently under patent application, demonstrating the company's commitment to innovation.

Freedom from Manual Sorting

One of the standout features of Shiwake AI is its ability to automate the entire process of photo sorting and ledger creation, regardless of the presence of an electronic blackboard. This means anyone, regardless of experience, can organize photos effortlessly, completing sorting tasks in mere moments. The AI also learns from users’ sorting tendencies, allowing for a personalized sorting experience tailored to individual preferences.

The ledgers created are accessible via Kuraemon's Ledger View function, enabling cloud-based sharing among project stakeholders. Users can visualize ledger delivery without the need for physical printouts, enjoying real-time visuals from anywhere. The platform’s user-friendly UI/UX recreates the traditional paper ledger experience in a digital format, ensuring ease of use for everyone involved.

Additional AI Technologies by Lecre

Lecre’s commitment to AI development extends beyond Shiwake AI. The company has introduced several other notable technologies, including:

• - e-Kokuban: An automated AI for creating electronic blackboards for reinforced concrete construction, which intelligently determines necessary visual and text elements from PDF rebar lists (Patent No: 6989884).
• - Construction Photo Management AI: This technology accurately extracts and displays measurements from construction photos by automatically recognizing scales, enhancing efficiency in quality control (Patent No: 7402458).
• - Uchi no Ko AI: A specialized face recognition AI for identifying Japanese children, catering to unique challenges that standard global engines face, and integrated into the school photo sales system.

Overview of Kuraemon

Kuraemon, launched in 1999 as Kuraemon Goyotashi, was designed to alleviate the burdens faced by site supervisors managing photo documentation. It has become a staple across various construction sectors, from major general contractors to small-scale builders. In 2014, Lecre released the Kuraemon Pad, a tablet-based electronic blackboard that received top evaluations from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under NETIS (New Technology Information System).

As construction labor regulations evolve, Lecre has shifted its focus from enhancing individual supervisor efficiency to overall site operational efficiency. Starting April 2022, it introduced Kuraemon Premium, integrating project applications, sharing cloud services, and software into a single platform, simplifying adoption throughout construction environments.

About Lecre

Founded on September 20, 1995, Lecre is driven by the mission of merging design, ideas, and IT, striving to elevate all individuals into the next realm of possibilities. The company specializes in understanding existing practices and user realities, enabling smooth transitions into innovative futures.

For more inquiries, you can reach out to Kuraemon's contact page at Kuraemon Contact.