NEC Corporation and UrbanChain are set to launch a demonstration in September 2026 to evaluate a next-generation surface parking lot service aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of parking facilities.
The initiative will integrate UrbanChain's parking management system, featuring automated payment functionality, with NEC's AI-powered image recognition technology to detect when occupants exit a vehicle. This collaboration seeks to enhance both safety and convenience in parking services.
NEC has been advancing the digital transformation of parking facilities by developing solutions for mechanical parking systems, leveraging AI-powered image recognition technologies. UrbanChain, on the other hand, promotes the digitalization of parking operations through its Parking OS platform.
Public concern over the safety and security of parking lots has increased due to incidents such as drivers suffering medical emergencies inside their vehicles. Additionally, issues like being charged fees while searching for parking spaces or making U-turns have prompted the need for a system that accurately monitors vehicle entry and occupant exit times.
In April 2026, NEC and UrbanChain began exploring a service model that combines automated payment systems with AI-powered image recognition technology. This model aims to use the actual time a driver exits their vehicle as the starting point for payment, enhancing safety and convenience for users.
The demonstration will take place in surface parking lots in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, over approximately one month. It will assess the feasibility of the service for real-world operations from both technical and business perspectives.
Technical validation will focus on the effectiveness of AI-powered vehicle occupant exit detection, integration with Parking OS, and the accuracy of exit counts for customer visit analysis. Business validation will evaluate the optimal number and placement of cameras, the benefits of safety functions, and the viability of the payment model.
NEC and UrbanChain aim to develop a next-generation parking lot service model, with plans to expand into data utilization services for monitoring vehicle occupant exit counts and analyzing visitor trends. The companies also plan to extend the application of this service to mechanical parking systems in multi-level structures.
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