Spectee Joins Forces with Osaka University and RICCC for Disaster Response Initiative

Collaboration Agreement for Disaster Response

Tokyo-based startup Spectee has joined forces with Osaka University’s Graduate School of Human Sciences, the Osaka University Social Solution Initiative, and the Regional Information Co-Creation Center (RICCC) to establish a groundbreaking collaboration agreement titled "Future Coexisting Disaster Relief Map and Spectee Pro Disaster Response Collaboration."

Background of the Collaboration

In recent years, the increased frequency of landslides and river flooding has made the timely dissemination of disaster information, particularly through social media, an essential component of effective disaster management. While social media posts allow for rapid updates and vast information dissemination, the proliferation of misinformation and false reports complicates the reliable acquisition of accurate data.

The "Future Coexisting Disaster Relief Map," managed under the intellectual property of Osaka University and socially implemented by RICCC, oversees a substantial repository of data, including approximately 280,000 facility records and over 300,000 historical shelter activation announcements. This map has historically supported local governments in their disaster response efforts.

The decision to collaborate emerged from a shared goal: to further enhance the disaster preparedness of municipalities by integrating their varying data resources.

Expected Benefits of Collaboration

This agreement paves the way for a comprehensive merging of accurate local information provided by municipal staff and disaster response experts with data analyzed and extracted by Spectee through its AI solutions from social media and other sources.

Moving beyond conventional social media and weather information, this collaboration aims to enrich the quality of information available through a deeper connection with local communities. By integrating these diverse sources, the quality and depth of the information provided by Spectee are expected to significantly improve.

Additionally, this partnership will assist municipalities in establishing more effective frameworks to utilize local disaster response personnel, such as certified disaster management specialists, thereby enhancing their disaster response capabilities and facilitating quicker situational awareness during emergencies.

Signing Ceremony Details

A signing ceremony to formalize this collaboration will be held as follows:
Date: April 30, Thursday 16:00-16:30
Location: 2nd Floor Learning Commons, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University
Media Inquiries: Please submit your registration through the designated web form by April 27, 16:00. More information can be found at here.

About the Future Coexisting Disaster Relief Map

Known as the "Disaster Relief Map," this tool is an essential intellectual property of Osaka University, implemented by RICCC. It aggregates data on around 280,000 facilities, including shelters and emergency evacuation zones, accessible online alongside vital evacuation and hazard information.

About Spectee

Spectee is a startup leveraging AI within the resilience domain, delivering SaaS solutions that focus on "visualizing crises." By harnessing diverse data sources, including social media, weather data, satellite imagery, and vehicular probe data, Spectee collects and analyzes real-time information about disasters worldwide. The company's technology is rapidly advancing in disaster prevention, business continuity, and supply chain risk management, and it is projected to surpass 1,000 contracts by July 2024, gaining support from many domestic and international firms and governmental organizations.