On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Asilla, Inc. (CEO and COO: Go Onoue, hereinafter, “Asilla”) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (CEO: Naoki Shibutani, hereinafter referred to as “NTT East”) entered into a basic business alliance agreement (hereinafter, the “Alliance”) with the aim of jointly solving various social issues caused by an increasingly severe shortage of human resources by combining wired and wireless networks with video analysis AI. With this Alliance, NTT East will begin providing the “Giga-Raku Camera Video Analysis Option MIMAMORI AI” (hereinafter, the “Service”), which uses cloud-based AI to automatically detect anomalous events in security camera footage, under license from Asilla, from Monday, March 31, 2025.

　In addition, in order to accelerate the solution of social issues through the combination of communication technology and video analysis AI, which is the purpose of this Alliance, NTT DOCOMO Ventures, Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Jun Yasumoto; hereinafter, “NDV”), the CVC of the NTT Group, has invested in Asilla through the NTT Investment Partners Fund IV L. P. (hereinafter “NIP Fund IV”) that it manages.

1. Background

　Until now, the role of security cameras has been centered around suppression of incidents and accidents, and recording data to review after such events occur. However, due to the increasing severity of issues such as a shortage of manpower caused by a declining population, fewer births, and demographic aging, and a deterioration in perceived public safety, as well as the increasing number of unstaffed stores and the rising age of facility users, there is a growing need for real-time anomaly detection and incident/accident prevention. In addition, the global IP camera market is estimated to be worth 5.53 billion USD (approximately 816 billion yen at an exchange rate of 147 yen to the dollar) in 2023, and is expected to grow to 16 billion USD (2.36 trillion yen) by 2032, with demand for video analysis also expected to increase.^*1

　NTT East began offering “Giga-Raku Camera,” a cloud-based security camera, in April 2016, and has contributed to the introduction of security cameras and the development of communication network environments, mainly for small and medium-sized companies, selling a cumulative total of approximately 145,000 units.^*2 Since its establishment in 2015, Asilla has been conducting research and development on AI-based behavior recognition technology and image analysis technology, and has been providing the on-premise AI security system “AI Security asilla,” which is mainly provided to large facilities, since 2022.^*3

　The two companies have been working together, including the joint establishment of an “AI Security asilla” experience booth^*4 and the holding of demonstration experiments^*5 to realize digital transformation (DX) in security and patrol operations based on the use of security cameras, robots and AI security systems.

^{*1: Fortune Business Insights IP Camera Market (in Japanese)
　　https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/jp/ip%E3%82%AB%E3%83%A1%E3%83%A9%E5%B8%82%E5%A0%B4-107356
*2: As of March 7, 2025, the cumulative sales volume for all Giga-Raku Camera models is 145,800 units (including device set plans).
*3: This system is distinguished by its accuracy in skeleton-based pose estimation and behavior recognition. It has been installed in more than 100 large facilities in Japan, including Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, and JR Hakata City.
　　https://jp.asilla.com/
*4: January 15, 2024—“Asilla and NTT East Begin Sales Partnership with the Aim of Solving Social Issues in the Security Industry”
　　https://jp.asilla.com/post/ntt-20240115
*5: January 30, 2024—“Demonstration Experiment to Realize DX in Security and Patrol Operations Using Security Camera Robots and AI Security Systems Begins at AEON MALL Tokoname”
　　https://www.ntt-east.co.jp/release/detail/20240130_01.html}

2. Overview of the Alliance, Roles of Each Company

　NTT East and Asilla have agreed to a joint venture aimed at solving various social issues caused by an increasingly severe shortage of human resources by combining wired and wireless networks with video analysis AI, and the Alliance was established on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Furthermore, in order to facilitate this Alliance, NDV invested in Asilla through the NIP Fund IV it manages on Friday, January 31, 2025.
　With this Alliance, NTT East will begin providing the Service under license from Asilla, from Monday, March 31, 2025.

Asilla:	Development of functions that use AI -based behavior recognition technology, and sales of the Service
NTT East:	Provision of the Service, enhancement of functions, and business studies combining communication technology, cloud infrastructure, and video analysis AI
NDV:	Investment in Asilla through NIP Fund IV

3. Overview of the Service

　In addition to the video recording function of the Giga-Raku Camera, this service uses behavior recognition AI based on a skeleton estimation method^*6 that can analyze human poses and movement in real time to detect and report suspicious or abnormal behavior. All a customer needs to do to use the Service is to install the Giga-Raku Camera on site, and because the detection data is managed in the cloud, it is possible to perform remote monitoring and centralize management of multiple locations.
^{*6: A technique that involves identifying a person’s joints (key points) and analyzing their poses and movements accordingly. This method is superior to the object detection method, where objects are detected and then identified, because it can detect how the body is moving, allowing it to recognize detailed movements such as falls, hand movements, walking, and jumping.}

<Advantages>
(1) Delivering Asilla’s on-premise behavior recognition AI, which has been introduced mainly in large facilities, through the cloud
　・Service design that allows for deployment starting with a single camera
　・Skeletal estimation-based behavior recognition AI eliminates the need for precise camera angle adjustment, which was essential with object detection-based methods.
　・Cloud cameras and anomaly detection functions are available from around 15,000 yen (excluding tax) per month.
　・Short-term, spot use of the anomaly detection function is also possible, allowing it to be used for events.
(2) Anomaly detection can be introduced simply by connecting the Giga-Raku Camera to the internet.
　・No need to install a camera recording server or analysis server at each location, allowing for simple deployment
(the number of cameras that can be connected will be gradually increased going forward.)
　・Because the system is cloud-based, it allows remote monitoring and centralized management of multiple locations.
(3) External alerts when an anomaly is detected make it possible to prevent incidents and accidents and solve problems quickly.
　・Email notifications are sent when anomalies are detected (speaker and beacon light integration to be implemented in FY2025).
(4) One AI can be used for multiple use cases, including security and crime prevention, as well as marketing
　・Allows real-time assessment of objects and people (nuisance behavior, hospitality, facility usage).
　・Enables assessment of facility usage by measuring the number of visitors and their attributes (age estimates and gender).
　(Offered as a preview version for free of charge, the paid version to be released in FY2025)

<Anticipated usage scenarios>
　The Service is envisioned for use in small and medium-sized facilities (commercial and public facilities, office buildings, etc.) where it has been difficult to introduce on-premise anomaly detection services from a cost-effectiveness perspective, unstaffed stores (unstaffed laundromats, unstaffed stations, etc.), nursing care facilities, childcare facilities, etc.
(1) Prevention and early detection of escalator accidents
　The number of escalator accidents is on the rise as the users of facilities get older. Over the two-year period from 2018 to 2019, there were 1,550 accidents on escalators (people getting caught, falling over, falling off)—approximately 3.7 times more than 20 years earlier.^*7 In addition, with two fatal accidents occurring in 2024, the shortage of security personnel is becoming more keenly felt, and facilities must take measures to prepare for such risks.
　By deploying this Service, we aim to detect near misses such as people crowding in front of escalators or walking in the wrong direction, issue warnings via beacon lights and speakers, and have security personnel quickly attend the scene, thereby enabling the prevention and early detection of serious accidents.
^{*7: Japan Elevator Association — Survey Report on User Accidents on Escalators
　　https://www.n-elekyo.or.jp/about/elevatorjournal/pdf/Journal7-13.pdf
　　https://www.n-elekyo.or.jp/about/elevatorjournal/pdf/Journal31_11.pdf}

(2) Maintaining the service level of laundromats, and early detection and resolution of improper or nuisance behavior
　MIS^*8, which operates the mammaciao laundromat chain with 580 branches nationwide, had installed Giga-Raku Cameras in its stores, but because it was difficult to constantly monitor the camera footage from all stores, it was unable to take preventative action before problems arose, leading to a decline in the level of service provided by its branches.
　Prior to the launch of the Service, a trial run was conducted at the mammaciao Akihabara branch for approximately 2.5 months from November 2024. During the trial, anomaly detection revealed improper and nuisance behavior such as regular use for sleeping by homeless people, use as an eating and drinking space, and carrying in more than the specified amount of laundry, allowing prompt action to be taken. In addition, it was found that by taking action in collaboration with the police against homeless people who were regularly detected, it was possible to prevent them from coming to the branch and engaging in disruptive behavior.
　Going forward, the company aims to maintain and improve the level of service through remote alerts linked to camera speakers and cooperation with the police in order to increase the number of stores where the Service is deployed.
^{*8: MIS Co., Ltd website: https://mammaciao.com/company}

4. Fees, conditions, and provision start date

<Service fees>
　1.Monthly fee

・In addition to the above, a monthly service fee for the Giga Raku Camera Cloud Plan/Device Set Plan, etc.^*10, a monthly internet connection service fee, and a provider service fee will be separately required.
・Monthly service fees are incurred from the month following the start of service until the month of contract termination (the first month is free of charge). If the contract is canceled during the first month of service, a service fee for that month will be incurred. Billing for the month of cancellation is on a monthly basis with no pro-rating.
^{*9: Support is not available for the marketing features (preview version). It is possible that a full version will not be released, or that it will be released with changed specifications.
*10: For details, please refer to the Giga Raku Camera Service overview page.
　　https://business.ntt-east.co.jp/service/gigarakucamera/charge.html}

2.Initial costs and fees, etc.

・No charges will be incurred for changed settings installation fee for the addition, modification, or discontinuation of optional features (additional detection features).

^{*11: Initial settings installation fee (1) is not charged per camera device but per location group (per contract)
*12: The maximum number of camera devices per location group is 100.
*13: Initial settings installation fees are incurred for both (1) and (2). Initial settings installation fee (2) is charged for each contracted camera device.
*14: Initial/changed settings installation fees refer to installation fees for setting up the Service. Fees for initial/changed settings installation do not include the installation of the camera equipment. If a change is applied for during the month, the maximum rate for that month will be applied.}

<Service conditions>
(1) In order to use the Service, the customer must prepare, separately from the Service agreement, their own internet connection environment.
(2) In order to use the Service, the customer must prepare, separately from the Service agreement, a camera cloud and camera equipment designated by the company, which can be connected by the customer.
(3) Installation of the connectable camera cloud (“Giga Raku Camera” service) and camera equipment specified by the company must be completed at the time of application for new or additional camera equipment.

<Date of application and start of service>
　Monday, March 31, 2025

5. Future initiatives

　This Service will save manpower and labor, enable early detection and prevention of serious incidents, facilitate DX for security and facilities, provide security and safety to local customers, and contribute not only to improving public safety, but also to creating comfortable spaces for people to spend their time. In addition, this Alliance will provide a foundation for Asilla and NTT East to enhance the development of new features, etc. in response to customer requests, contribute to operational efficiency through implementation of DX, and contribute to employee and labor savings and improved safety at facilities.

6. Customer inquiries

　Please contact our customer sales representative or access the following URL to apply or make an inquiry.
　https://form.business.ntt-east.co.jp/a?formId=pf3459inq&type=A

7. Endorsements

　Ryuhei Sadoshima, Representative Director & CEO, Safie Inc.
　“We entered into a business alliance with NTT East in 2018 for the purpose of providing security measures in offices and stores by using video, and operational efficiency improvement and marketing analysis services. We have been promoting the use of video in public and commercial facilities, and we are pleased that Safie can be of service in the live use of video required for anomaly detection AI (MOMAMORI AI). We look forward to monitoring various settings and meeting a wide range of needs in the future. Together with NTT East, we will use technology to create an environment in which everyone can live in safety and peace of mind.”