Macnica Launches AI Camera System to Improve Gas and Heavy Oil Meter Reading Efficiency - Providing a comprehensive service from energy visualization to analysis through collaboration with IoT solutions -

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter Macnica") announced today the launch of its original product, the "AI Camera System." This product uses an AI camera to automatically read information from gas and heavy oil meters. By linking with Macnica 's energy management system, "Kisense®," ^{* 1} it can achieve a seamless process from data visualization to analysis. This will significantly improve the efficiency of gas and heavy oil meter reading work, which was previously done manually, in facility management at factories and manufacturing sites. In addition, analytical data can be used to identify and improve energy waste, helping companies reduce their energy costs.

■ Background to the development of the "AI Camera System"
In recent years, labor shortages have become a serious issue, making it necessary to reduce the labor required to read gas and heavy oil meters.In addition, when facility managers implement energy visualization, they have traditionally considered installing gas and heavy oil flow meters, but these measuring devices are burdensome to install and often require large-scale installation work, making them a high hurdle.
Recently, the introduction of AI cameras has made it possible to acquire data in an increasing number of cases, but the current situation is that they have not yet gone as far as improving the efficiency of energy use, such as analyzing energy usage and reducing CO2 emissions.

■A solution that reduces implementation costs and enables a seamless implementation from energy visualization to analysis
This product installs an AI camera on existing gas and heavy oil meters and automatically reads meter values using image analysis technology, eliminating the need for the large-scale installation work that traditionally accompanies the introduction of flow meters, thereby reducing implementation costs. The acquired data is automatically linked to "Kisense®" and can be used as analytical data for improving energy efficiency. Currently, it is compatible with rotary meters ^*2, but in the future it will also be compatible with 7-segment meters ^*3.

■ Main features of the "AI Camera System"
○ Utilizes existing meters, no large-scale installation work required, and can be introduced in a short period of time
○ AI image analysis enables automatic reading of meters with high accuracy
○ In collaboration with Kisense®, energy consumption such as gas and heavy oil can be visualized and analyzed on the cloud.
○ Supports on-site labor savings and improved management levels with features such as abnormal value detection, alert notifications, and automatic report creation

system configuration diagram

■ Future plans
Going forward, we aim to further expand the types of meters that can be supported by the "AI Camera System" and to create a platform that provides more advanced support for overall corporate energy management, including anomaly detection and CO2 emission optimization. This will enable companies to reduce manpower and costs, while also contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

*1: Kisense® is a platform with a variety of functions, including energy consumption comparison and analysis, cost conversion, visualization of CO2 emissions, and alert notifications. In addition to data acquired by AI cameras, it can also simultaneously collect and analyze a variety of equipment data.

*2: A rotary meter is a measuring instrument in which an internal impeller rotates in response to the amount of fluid such as gas or water used, and the integrated value is displayed based on the number of rotations.

*3: A 7-segment display is a simple display device that shows numbers and some characters by turning on and off seven light-emitting elements (segments) arranged in the shape of the Japanese character for "day."

[Click here for product details]
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/energy/products/148602/

About Macnica 's Environmental Solutions Business
In addition to handling semiconductors, Macnica is working to solve environmental problems with various partner companies by utilizing cutting-edge technology from around the world. In the circular economy business, we are developing four businesses: "energy management," "energy saving management," "resource circulation management," and "environmental life management." By providing solutions that lead to solving customers' environmental problems, we will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and building a decarbonized society, and work to realize a sustainable society in the future.

For more information about Macnica 's circular economy business, please visit: www.macnica.co.jp/business/energy/

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica and each company.
*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.