#Japan #AI Technology #Tokyo #Maeda Corporation #ULS Consulting

ULS Consulting and Maeda Corporation's Groundbreaking Partnership

ULS Consulting, headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, has recently announced its collaboration with Maeda Corporation, based in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, to support the development of an innovative "Pressure Control Support System for Tunnel Shields." This system aims to facilitate stable tunneling operations without relying solely on the experience of skilled workers.

Maeda Corporation is renowned for its comprehensive approach to large civil engineering and construction projects, spanning from design and construction to infrastructure management. Over the years, the company has consistently pushed for technological advances and operational reforms to enhance productivity across all areas of its business, from construction to back-office operations. Recently, Maeda Corporation has focused on addressing labor shortages in the construction industry and promoting work style reforms by leveraging AI technologies.

In this context, Maeda Corporation has developed an AI-driven support system for pressure control in tunnel shield construction, addressing the critical need to maintain appropriate pressure (known as face pressure) during excavation to prevent ground subsidence or uplift. Traditionally, the monitoring and control of face pressure depended heavily on the expertise and knowledge of seasoned engineers, presenting challenges in skills transfer and workforce shortages. To tackle these issues, Maeda Corporation sought to incorporate AI as an assistive tool for human technicians, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

ULS Consulting has long been recognized for its technical skills and implementation capability, leading to its participation in the development project for the pressure control support system. The firm undertook a comprehensive approach, encompassing everything from AI model design and validation to prototyping applications tailored for on-site operations.

Establishing the AI Model

Feature Extraction and AI Model Design

A crucial component of the project involved extracting around 3,000 feature variables from various sensor data. This step was essential for predicting fluctuations in face pressure and accurately determining both upper and lower threshold breaches. ULS Consulting applied rigorous design and validation processes to ensure the AI model's efficacy.

Collaborative Tuning with Experts

The project team actively engaged with skilled shield construction technicians to better understand the nuances of field data and the specific characteristics of construction sites. This collaboration facilitated the refinement of training data, analysis of data interrelationships, and the establishment of evaluation metrics for the AI model.

Developing the Alert System

ULS Consulting also developed a prototype of an alert application designed to intuitively notify operators when abnormal fluctuations in face pressure are detected. The application features visual notifications, such as screen illumination and blinking, alongside audible alerts to prevent operational errors in the field. Careful attention to user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design ensured that real-world operators would find the system trustworthy and effective.

Real-World Applications and Future Prospects

The pressure control support system has demonstrated practical effectiveness in real construction environments. Impressively, predictions of face pressure fluctuations—approximately 10 seconds ahead—align with the judgments of skilled technicians with up to 90% accuracy. Leveraging MAIOSS-Ⅱ, the common foundation for Maeda's shield construction projects, the system's design allows for easy horizontal deployment across various sites, rather than being limited to a single location.

Looking ahead, ULS Consulting remains committed to contributing to Maeda Corporation’s ongoing efforts to utilize AI and innovate operational processes.

About ULS Consulting

ULS Consulting is a core subsidiary of ULS Group Co., Ltd. (TSE Standard Code: 3798) and is recognized for its outstanding expertise in business and technology consulting. Since its founding in 2000, the company has successfully supported clients in transforming their businesses through a unique consulting style that emphasizes collaboration on project execution. ULS Consulting specializes in various themes, including business model innovation, strategic planning, organizational reform, system design and development, AI utilization, project management, and advanced technology implementation.

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