#Open Innovation #Japan #Tokyo #Keio #Quanmatic

Quanmatic Joins Keio Open Innovation Program

An exciting development in the world of transportation has emerged as Quanmatic, a Tokyo-based software startup, has been accepted into Keio Electric Railway's Open Innovation Program, known as JISOU. This selection paves the way for a collaborative venture with Nishitokyo Bus Co., Ltd. to enhance and optimize bus fleet management operations. The practical applications of this collaboration will be assessed through a proof-of-concept (PoC) experiment set to commence on July 17, 2026.

Background

The task of creating a bus parking schedule is crucial for bus operators, requiring careful consideration of daily timetables and vehicle status within limited garage space. While standard schedules exist, the reality of operations often involves adapting to irregularities such as temporary timetables due to events and vehicle maintenance issues. Furthermore, the constraints for dispatching vehicles can vary from one depot to another, and this necessitates significant input from personnel who rely on their experience and ingenuity to ensure quality service. Therefore, generating parking schedules is not simply a routine task; it requires making informed judgments tailored to the daily situation and unique conditions of each depot.

Currently, Nishitokyo Bus manually creates their parking schedules, which can take anywhere from several hours to half a day. The process is further complicated by the increasing number of electric vehicles (EV), which come with specific charging infrastructure requirements, necessitating personnel to juggle multiple tasks concurrently. This multifaceted workload has resulted in significant stress for on-site employees, highlighting the urgent need for improvement.

Project Overview

Through this project, Quanmatic aims to develop an algorithm capable of automatically generating the optimal bus parking schedule for three of Nishitokyo Bus’s depots: Narahara, Onkata, and Itsukichi. The initiative strives to encode the practical decisions and insights that the onsite personnel have accumulated over time into formal guidelines that the algorithm can utilize. Notably, the tool will be designed to accommodate the flexibility needed to adjust for potential changes in the number of buses or modifications in the depot’s infrastructure and equipment setup.

Proof of Concept (PoC) Overview (July to September 2026)

During the PoC phase, extensive interviews with operational staff will help clarify the unique operational rules and constraints at each depot, along with the criteria they employ when making decisions. Following this, the foundational algorithm will be developed and validated against real operational data. Key metrics such as the time required to produce the parking schedule, the validity of the arrangement, and how well it aligns with daily operations will be analyzed to gauge the feasibility of applying the solution in real-world scenarios.

Future Expansion (October 2026 and Beyond)

Should the PoC validate the effectiveness of the solution, Quanmatic aims to transition towards developing a web application that automatically generates bus parking schedules for real-world use. This application will be meticulously designed to adapt to changes in depot conditions. In the long run, the insights and methodologies gained from this project will be explored for broader applications across other bus companies, particularly within the Keio Group, as well as in other sectors requiring optimization in vehicle allocation.

About Quanmatic

Founded in Tokyo, Quanmatic leverages advanced algorithms that combine quantum and classical computing to address complex business challenges. The company, which operates on the intellectual property and industry expertise stemming from the research of Waseda University’s Professor Nozomu Togawa, is committed to providing optimization solutions that are not reliant on specific hardware. By enabling a practical implementation of quantum technology, Quanmatic seeks to accelerate the evolution of industries and innovate decision-making processes across various sectors.

For more information about Quanmatic and its innovative solutions, please visit Quanmatic's official website.