Revolutionizing Public Safety with Secual Smart Pole
Introduction
In a significant step towards enhancing community safety and disaster prevention, Secual Inc., based in Tokyo, has partnered with Hokutsu Co., Ltd., a venerable provider of information communication and disaster prevention infrastructure from Kanazawa, Ishikawa. Together, they inaugurate a verification experiment incorporating the innovative
Secual Smart Pole. This project aims to leverage IoT technology for improving safety measures in communities, particularly in relation to security against crime and disaster responses.
Project Overview
This collaboration marks the first initiative in which existing streetlights are being transformed into Smart Poles at Joshi High School, located in Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture—with the local government's support. The goal is twofold: to bolster security during students’ commutes and to test the Smart Pole's functionality under snowy and icy conditions, typical of the region’s winter climate.
The Rationale Behind Collaboration
Secual has been dedicated to enhancing community security through its
Smart Security solutions, enabling home and vehicle protection alongside town security. With over 70 years of experience, Hokutsu has established a strong foothold in creating robust information communication networks and disaster prevention systems. Their comprehensive disaster information platform,
X-sys, has gained traction among numerous municipalities, effectively providing them with systems to manage disaster information thoroughly.
The partnership looks to combine the strengths of both organizations to elevate the quality and variety of information provided to safety agencies and residents. By innovating in how information is communicated and ensuring reliable services in demanding conditions, the project aspires to be a model for future community safety solutions.
The Verification Experiment
The current phase of the project focuses on replacing traditional streetlights with the Smart Pole to assess increments in safety via enhanced lighting and real-time monitoring applications. These smart poles are equipped to relay secure information, adapt to environmental changes, and can integrate with Hokutsu's X-sys platform, thus creating an adaptable ecosystem for public safety. The experiment aims not only to improve lighting but to gather valuable data on the poles’ effectiveness in challenging weather scenarios, such as during heavy snowfall.
Future Prospects
Building on the insights gained from the verification experiments, Secual and Hokutsu plan to extend their innovations to snow-prone areas in the Tohoku region. The initiative is envisioned as a scalable framework, allowing for the Smart Pole to operate alongside Hokutsu's X-sys—integrating seamlessly into existing urban infrastructure upgrade projects. This alignment aims for a natural incorporation of smart technology throughout city landscapes, enhancing community safety in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Both companies remain committed to collaborating closely with other stakeholders involved in municipal infrastructure. By establishing a model for effective crime and disaster prevention, they take a proactive approach toward ensuring public safety is firmly embedded in the community’s design.