#Japan #Tokyo #Infrastructure #Canon #Inspection Eye

Canon's Infrastructure Inspection Eye: A Leap Forward

Canon has announced an exciting upgrade to its innovative service, 'Inspection Eye for Infrastructure Cloud Edition', enhancing its capabilities significantly. Originally launched in 2019, this service allows for remote monitoring of infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels by utilizing AI to detect deformations in structures like cracks and efflorescence through cloud-based technology.

As many infrastructure projects in Japan are reaching the end of their lifespan, ensuring their safety remains crucial. With the new version set to roll out on November 27, 2025, this upgrade will expand its deformation detection capabilities from five types to an impressive twelve, including new features for detecting steel material peeling, corrosion, and cracks in building exteriors, as well as concrete delamination.

Meeting User Needs

The upgrade responds directly to the increasingly varied demands of users. A newly introduced feature focused on concrete structures allows for the early detection of delamination, which will help pinpoint areas that require further inspection. This advancement promises to enhance the efficiency of inspection practices, addressing one of the longstanding challenges in the civil engineering sector: the labor shortage exacerbated by an aging population.

Additionally, the inclusion of a feature that detects peeling paint and corrosion in steel materials will significantly aid in monitoring pedestrian overpasses and water conduit bridges. This functionality was recognized at the Digital Twin and DX Symposium 2025 held in collaboration with Ota Ward and Tokyo University of Science, where Canon received the Digital Twin DX Special Award for its commitment to advancing infrastructure inspection technology.

Expanding Detection Capabilities

Canon has also listened to feedback from users engaged in drone inspections, leading to the incorporation of crack detection in building exteriors. With these enhancements, the service can now recognize a wider array of structural anomalies, making it a one-stop solution for achieving thorough infrastructural health assessments.

Beyond deformation detection, Canon introduced practical functions tailored to real-world demands. Features such as the “Corrective Angle Adjustment” rectify distortion from diagonal imaging, offering a frontal perspective for clearer insights. Furthermore, users can now designate non-detection zones to streamline the inspection process further.

A Commitment to Innovation

With its ongoing commitment to harnessing advanced imaging technologies, Canon aims to contribute significantly to the civil infrastructure industry. As the labor force in this sector continues to dwindle, with predictions that it could drop to around 80% of its current size, Canon is poised to play an instrumental role in adapting to this “80 Percent Society.” By integrating visual technology, Canon not only hopes to do regular inspections and repairs easier, but also to support the sector's sustainability.

With these state-of-the-art improvements, 'Inspection Eye for Infrastructure Cloud Edition' is positioned not just as a tool for today's needs, but also as an essential service for future-proofing Japan’s essential infrastructure. By embracing digital transformation, Canon is setting the stage for a safer and more efficient infrastructure ecosystem that benefits everyone.