Detecting Anomalies with AI

Classic aspect using AI in  smart manufacturing.  Had interacted with Fujitsu in the past.

Fujitsu develops AI to detect product abnormalities during manufacturing

By Ryan Daws | March 29, 2021 | TechForge Media,  Categories: Manufacturing,

Fujitsu has developed an AI which can highlight abnormalities in the appearance of products to help detect issues earlier.

Catching problems during production enables intervention before materials are wasted—incurring direct and environmental costs. It also saves on the reputational damage and costs associated with returns/recalls after a defective product is shipped to customers.

The solution uses an AI model trained on images of products with abnormalities. These defects are simulated so images of actual products with issues pulled from a production line aren’t necessary. ... " 

Fujitsu Models and Predicts with Learning

Have met with Fujitsu and was impressed with their analytics work. Also has direct connections to very high powered computing.  At first this looked more like a classical simulation analytics approach, but can see how some learning techniques can be integrated into the problem to focus prediction.  In fact any classical analytical techniques would benefit from a means that learns over time to adapt to varying goals and contexts.   So then everything can be tagged as learning  'AI'.  So a good example for that kind of a problem?  Worth a further look.

AI disaster mitigation technology to predict river flooding with limited data   by Fujitsu in Techxplore. 

Fujitsu today announced the development of a technology that draws on mathematical models built with limited data on rainfall and water levels to create flooding predictions for rivers. The solution leverages Fujitsu Human Centric AI Zinrai, a comprehensive portfolio that encompasses Fujitsu's wide range of AI technologies and techniques, and utilizes a model that incorporates insights from hydrology to produce an AI that achieves predictions with greater precision.

The new technology proves effective even for smaller rivers with limited measurement data or for areas where water level sensors have been newly installed and have yet to accumulate sufficient data. These predictions will offer authorities a vital tool for delivering faster response times and mitigating flood damage in the event of a natural disaster, including in dispatching personnel to affected areas and supporting appropriate decision-making in issuing evacuation advisories.

Fujitsu and Fujitsu Laboratories will continue to work to further perfect this technology through a field trial with local governments across Japan with the aim of delivering a commercial solution during fiscal 2019. With the development of this solution, Fujitsu demonstrates how this and other AI technologies will play an important role in bolstering its efforts to combat the effects of climate change, and contribute to the achievement of greater sustainability in society. ....  "

Fujitsu Human Centric AI

Was impressed with Fujitsu's work in retail when we visited.

Fujitsu drives a human centric model

AI is a core technology which enables many complex processes to be conducted independently of human judgment. Now, deep learning is often featured in the media. But it is not the whole story of AI, just an important piece of the puzzle. Our human cognition is continuously generated from complex interactions between our sensory organs, nervous system, brain and external environments.

To achieve an AI, we have to replicate and bring together a range of cognitive capabilities: perceiving, reasoning, making choices, learning, communicating, and moving and manipulating.

Fujitsu is developing key technologies under a comprehensive framework (see diagram). We call it Human Centric AI, Zinrai. Fujitsu is incorporating component technology such as machine learning, deep learning and visual recognition, into its digital solutions and services. .... " 

Open Innovation at Fujitsu

Via Ideaconnection.com

Open Innovation Gateway
is dedicated to activating innovative practices — faster

Open Innovation Gateway uses a collaborative approach to innovation that mirrors Fujitsu’s brand promise of “shaping tomorrow with you.” Our promise - about shaping the future of business and society - invokes our way of doing business, building on long-term relationships with our customers, partners and society as a whole. ... 

At Open Innovation Gateway we look for more than technologies. We look for partnerships, relationships. When we brought in Oblong's amazing Mezzanine technology that began a relationship between the two companies that continues to grow and deepen.   Video. ... 

Fujitsu Laser Smart Glasses

Have always been impressed by Fujitsu's technology, since we tested their work in retail.  Now their concept smart glasses shine laser images right into the retina.  Does not require focusing, as a result, they say.  Sounds scary, but much early tech does.  Only a prototype for now.  We explored the idea for a number of hands free applications.  I still see such glasses as primarily useful for hands-free, until humans get used to seeing people continually connected.  That may take a while.

Fujitsu Thin Solar Powered IOT Beacon

Solar powering in particular is interesting. We will continue to see developments of this type.

Fujitsu develops thin, solar-powered IoT beacon
In a move that could help spread IoT (Internet of Things) devices, Fujitsu has developed a thin, flexible IoT beacon that can send out location and ID information to smartphones and other mobile devices.

Measuring 2.5 millimeters thick and weighing 3 grams, the beacon is mounted on an elastic silicone substrate and can be rolled up and attached to curved surfaces as well as corners or even clothing. It uses a Bluetooth Low Energy module to send out pings at regular intervals.... " 

Fujitsu Palm Scanning

In Computerworld: Saw an early example of this in research labs a few years ago.  Was unclear how much better and reliable it was than fingerprint approaches then.  Could clearly work well with larger formats like tablets.

McDs 3D Printing in Store

McDonalds Doing 3D Printing in its stores?     " ... Fast food chain is also mulling tablets and touchscreen ordering kiosks FAST FOOD CHAIN McDonalds has said that it will consider bringing 3D printing into its 'restaurants' to broaden its appeal to technology savvy customers.

Speaking at the Fujitsu Forum in Germany this week, McDonalds IT director Mark Fabes said that the firm is currently mulling plans to bring 3D printing to its restaurants, hinting that it could be used for churning out Happy Meal toys ... "  

GS1 and VICS Merger

Via Kevin Judd of Fujitsu.

Yesterday, September 10th 2012, GS1 US and the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions (VICS) Association announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to merge their operations. This is significant news for the supply chain community.

The Article covers what this means to the development of standards for interoperation among players in the supply chain.    This is a big deal,  it can make, break and improve efficiency globally.  Good article on the importance of the move.

Fujitsu Vein Based Biometrics

 From Fujitsu Labs: A Unique way of identifying yourself:  " ... The module shines near-infrared light onto a person’s hand. The deoxygenated blood in the veins absorbs the near-infrared light, while the rest of the hand lets the light pass through. A sensor in the module records the image of the hand, where the veins show up as dark lines. Then a software program compares the image against the template on record for that individual.... "

Fujitsu enters Big Data

In a recent interesting development, Japanese hardware and software giant has proposed a software suite that addresses big data. " ... The company announced server software aimed at handling large, diverse file systems, quickly scanning volumes of data, and rapidly storing and reading information from databases. Fujitsu is also developing dedicated hardware for the new packages, which it will launch by the end of next March, said Kazuo Imada, head of the company's cloud platform development group... " 

Kroger and the Advantage Checkout

Tom Demeropolis
Checks out the Advantage Tunnel 
Checkout system at Kroger.   Also here is a video of the Fujitsu  / Kroger Advantage system in action.   More technical details.   Its what you might expect, you place items on a conveyor that goes through a tunnel, and multiple cameras 'find' the item codes. Why not just chuck in  your payment card as well?

" ...Kroger Co. is testing a checkout system that helps solve these problems. The Kroger Marketplace store in Hebron, Ky., has two of the tunnel systems, called Advantage Checkout, for shoppers to use.
Courier readers can read more about Advantage Checkout here, as well as other efforts Kroger is making to improve the checkout experience. The Advantage Checkout tunnel isn’t as fun as the Scan-Bag-Go system, but it is fast. I watched a customer with a full cart zip through. A few produce items slowed her down, because the current version of the tunnel doesn’t have a scale. A Kroger employee has to stop and weigh the produce.

To handle that drawback, Kroger installed scales in the produce department where shoppers can weigh their produce, bag it and tag it so the tunnel can read it without stopping. Two Kroger employees were helping customers at the tunnel, one unloading groceries and putting them on the tunnel, another bagging. The tunnel moves so fast, the bagger has to be on his toes to keep up with the scanned items. Once my items were through the tunnel, I was given a small receipt. I took this to one of four self-checkout stations, scanned it and paid.  It was faster than self checkout and I didn’t have to do any work ....  "

Via Jose F Guerra of L5 Source

Kroger Tests New Fujitsu Checkout

Kroger is testing a new Fujitsu Advantage self checkout system that is said to improve interaction with consumers and decrease checkout times. We extensively tested earlier systems in laboratory retail environments. More here. " ... The technology, from Fujitsu, can recognize items that are stacked and alongside one another without having to identify a bar code. ... " .  Note the implications of image analysis.