#Japan #Infrastructure #Chiba #Liberaware #Alpha AI

Liberaware and Alpha AI's Strategic Partnership

In a significant move toward expanding business operations and diversifying revenue sources, Liberaware Co., Ltd., based in Chiba, Japan, has entered a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Alpha AI Technology Limited, a promising AI and drone startup located in Hong Kong. This partnership aims to create a cutting-edge integrated solution by merging Liberaware's expertise in indoor inspection techniques for tight spaces with Alpha AI's outdoor infrastructure inspection capabilities enhanced through AI.

Background of the Partnership

Hong Kong faces severe challenges with aging buildings. According to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, about 20% of buildings are over 50 years old, with predictions indicating that this number could rise to approximately 14,000 by 2030. To tackle this issue, the government has implemented the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, requiring inspections for buildings over 30 years old. In tandem, initiatives promoting the low-altitude economy, utilizing drones for inspections and monitoring, are seeing increased government focus starting in 2024.

Alpha AI stands out in this arena as an accoladed low-altitude economy sandbox-certified company, establishing a strong collaboration with the Hong Kong government. They provide advanced drone services utilizing AI and 3D technology for building inspections, abnormal slope detection, and security patrols. On the other hand, Liberaware is known for its narrow space inspection drone, the IBIS2, and its extensive knowledge in areas like digital twin technology and various solutions. The efforts of Liberaware in the digital transformation (DX) of infrastructure management earned recognition by being awarded the Infrastructure DX Prize by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism in 2023.

Collaboration Goals

This partnership will draw on both companies' strengths. The comprehensive management of building infrastructures will be achieved by integrating Liberaware's rich experience in indoor inspections with Alpha AI's acclaimed outdoor inspection technologies. Targeting enhanced safety and management efficiency for infrastructure in Hong Kong, the two companies will explore business opportunities in both Hong Kong and Japan.

Key Joint Initiatives

1. Collaborative Market Exploration: Leveraging both companies' sales and technical networks, they aim to jointly engage in Hong Kong government's infrastructure conservation initiatives. This includes participating in proposal activities and conducting joint field tests to explore new projects and market entry opportunities.
2. Development of Integrated Inspection Solutions: Combining Alpha AI’s inspection capabilities with Liberaware's IBIS2, the partnership will develop comprehensive solutions for indoor and outdoor infrastructure inspections, enhancing data collection methods.
3. Talent Development Programs: The two companies will implement exchange and training programs for their engineers and technicians. By applying Alpha AI's AI analysis technology to indoor inspection data from Liberaware, they hope to create innovative solutions.

Future Prospects

Through this alliance, the companies plan to conduct joint trials of drone inspections targeting both indoor and outdoor infrastructures in Hong Kong. Data gathered from these inspections will enable the construction of detailed 3D models, providing comprehensive visibility of the condition of infrastructure facilities. The introduction of automatic detection features, using AI to identify degradation and anomalies, aims to merge these functionalities with spatial information, thereby providing a valuable digital twin solution to enhance efficiency and accuracy in infrastructure maintenance.

Moreover, proactive inspections of municipal facilities will serve to validate the effectiveness of these inspection solutions, advocating for the standardization of regulations in mandatory government inspections. In the short term, success stories from the Hong Kong market will be prioritized, while the knowledge gained will be strategically applied for expansion into various regions across Asia, including Japan.

Company Profiles

Alpha AI Technology Limited

Founded: June 21, 2021
Headquarters: Hong Kong
Mission: To transform traditional industries using AI technologies, providing efficient, accurate, and reliable inspection solutions for safer urban environments.

Liberaware Co., Ltd.

Founded: August 22, 2016
Headquarters: Chiba, Japan
Mission: To create a safe society for all, specializing in inspections of narrow, dark, and hazardous indoor spaces using advanced drone technology.

As both companies advance their strategic partnership, the landscape of infrastructure inspection is set for a profound transformation, enhanced by cutting-edge drone and AI technologies.