NEC to Test AI Parking System Charging for Actual Parking Time in Japan

NEC, in partnership with UrbanChain Group, has developed an AI-based image recognition system that charges drivers based on the actual time they spend getting in and out of their vehicles rather than the total time spent in the parking lot. The system is scheduled for a one-month trial starting this September in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. This system eliminates charges for the time spent searching for a parking space, making billing fairer for drivers. Additionally, it enhances safety by utilizing AI to detect potential medical emergencies if a driver remains inactive inside the vehicle for too long. The system automatically processes payments based on detected boarding and alighting times and monitors for behavioral anomalies, such as a driver not exiting the car long after parking. The trial will take place in an outdoor, ground-level parking lot.