tech

Fujitsu estimates workers' heat stress levels with new AI-based algorithm

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Fujitsu Limited has developed a new algorithm to estimate ongoing heat stress in workers, such as security guards, using its artificial intelligence technologies, known as Human Centric AI Zinrai. Developed together with Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd, Fujitsu said it aims to enhance solutions deployed on its digital business platform, Fujitsu Digital Business Platform MetaArc, that use IoT to support on-site safety management.

This new algorithm will be available from the end of July. Also, through September, Fujitsu is implementing solutions incorporating this new algorithm in a field trial with security guards at its own Kawasaki Plant.

Previous algorithms estimated heat stress levels using a device worn on the arm to measure data such as humidity, temperature, as well as increases in pulse, and were primarily used in manufacturing and at construction sites. As the new algorithm can now estimate heat stress levels that accumulate over time, it is suitable for employees who continually work outdoors in the summer. Combined with the previous algorithm, it can be used to manage safety in a wide variety of situations.

In order to estimate the level of accumulated heat stress, and because a diverse range of data is handled in which correlations are difficult to discern, the new system uses AI technology to execute machine learning based on expert knowledge. In so doing, Fujitsu developed a logic in which AI can extract the characteristics of high heat stress to enable estimates such as those made by labor science experts.In light of the knowledge gained from implementing this new technology, Fujitsu is accelerating safety management support for customers across a variety of industries.

In recent years, the number of workplace casualties due to heatstroke in Japan has remained in the range of 400-500 people per year, even after 2010, which saw the worst heat wave on record. In 2016, the number of workplace casualties due to heat stroke reached about 450 people, leading companies to take measures to prevent such incidents. The demand for heatstroke countermeasures is expected to increase rapidly for security and other operations at outdoor events and worksites in the summer.Fujitsu developed this new AI-based algorithm to enhance safety protection for employees working in extreme environments.Features of the New Algorithm

In addition to the existing data of humidity, temperature and pulse, the new algorithm estimates the level of heat stress based on new data, such the amount of activity, as well as data that shifts over time.Since machine learning is appropriate for making estimates from a wide variety of data with unclear correlations, Fujitsu developed a logic in which AI can extract the characteristics of high heat stress from the stock of actual data and data evaluated by experts. This has enabled the algorithm to estimate accumulated heat stress in the same way that labor science experts would, enabling users to observe the status of individual employees in situations that do not require a great deal of activity, such as security guards who must spend long hours standing in the hot sun.

© Fujitsu

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

2 Comments
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This word AI is being used far too much for what amounts to a program that is well written with lots of data to look at.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Pretty much dude. Just like big data and the like. And the army of overly paid consultants from the likes of MBB will keep make even more money offering vague, not really helpful or informative but really pretty powerpoints based on these silly buzz words to managers who don't know any better.

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