[Event Report] Mobility Night #1 – Exploring GPS and Location-Based Technologies

This article is the entry for day 10 in the KINTO Technologies Advent Calendar 2024🎅🎄

---

Mobility Night is a series of study sessions where software engineers, business professionals, researchers, and product managers in the mobility industry can casually gather to share industry-specific insights and challenges. After hosting our initial closed session (#0), we were excited to open the doors for everyone to join in our first public session (#1).

This event focused on 'GPS and Location Information' which are fundamental technologies for mobility services. From car navigation and map applications to on-demand transportation, autonomous driving, and smart city infrastructure, precise location tracking is essential for enabling these innovations.

During the event, five sessions were held. Each session explored challenges and possibilities from unique perspectives, focusing on GPS and location information technology.

This article is written by Nakanishi from the Development Relations Group, who is also involved in planning and organizing the Mobility Night.

---

1. Exploring New Google Places API

Speaker: Numa, KINTO Technologies

Google Places API is one of the core features of the mapping platform and is an important interface for efficiently performing nearby searches and retrieving place information. In this session, the latest improvements were introduced, such as the enhancements to the Autocomplete feature, which provides instant suggestions while typing, and the Fields parameter to filter necessary information.

Key points:

• Performance and cost optimization: By specifying Fields, unnecessary data retrieval can be reduced, leading to lower API costs and faster response times.
• User experience improvement: Providing quick access to the information they want is a significant advantage for users on the move. The enhanced Autocomplete feature reduces search load, refining the overall UX.
• Future outlook: Currently, the focus is on location information retrieval, but in the future, personalized strategies integrating IoT sensors and behavioral analysis are also expected.

https://speakerdeck.com/kintotechdev/exploring-new-google-places-api

---

2. Location Data Products Created with Driving Data from AI Dashcam Services

Speaker: Shimpei Matsuura, GO Inc.

Dashcams are commonly perceived as devices for recording accidents, but in this session, they were reinterpreted as "driving data = a platform for turning streets into sensors." AI analysis of video and GPS data highlighted the potential for dynamically updating maps with real-time information on road signs, traffic signals, and construction conditions.

Key points:

• Dynamic map updates: Evolving static maps into a "living information infrastructure" by reflecting changes in road infrastructure almost in real time.
• Multiple vehicle data integration: By cross-referencing data from different vehicles, temporary signs and construction sites can be detected with high accuracy.
• Privacy measures: Ensuring that personal information captured in video data is properly anonymized while retaining essential road-related information is crucial for both technology and operations.
• Future applications: Potential for various business developments, including HD maps for autonomous driving, smart city planning, and the creation of new services.

https://speakerdeck.com/pemugi/aidorarekosabisunozou-xing-deta-dezuo-ruwei-zhi-qing-bao-detapurodakuto-wei-zhi-qing-bao-jing-du-xiang-shang-nogong-fu

---

3. An Overview of Satellite Positioning Technology: Lessons from Using GPS Modules

Speaker: Shinya Hiruta, VP of Engineering, Charichari, Inc.

Although GPS is widely taken for granted, but in urban environments, there are many practical issues such as radio wave reflection, poor visibility, and uneven number of satellites. In this session, we explored the fundamentals of satellite positioning technology, as well as potential accuracy improvements and countermeasures.

Key points:

• Environment-dependent issues: Location-specific conditions, such as multipath interference in urban areas and satellite signal loss in tunnels, can significantly impact the accuracy.
• Multi-GNSS utilization: Instead of relying solely on GPS, combining multiple systems such as GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and Michibiki (QZSS) enhances overall accuracy.
• Hybrid methods: Improved accuracy with complementary technologies such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth beacons, and map matching.
• Basic knowledge as a guiding principle: This understanding will serve as a guiding principle for future product design, quality assurance, and data analysis.

---

4. Experimenting the Post-Processing Technique for Location Information Correction (Tentative)

Speaker: Kensuke Takahara, IoT Team, Luup, Inc.

When real-time positioning accuracy is challenging, there is an alternative called "Post-Processing Kinematic (PPK)," which improves accuracy later. PPK is a method of post-processing by combining acquired data with reference station data without using expensive RTK equipment or special communication infrastructure.

Key points:

• Benefits of PPK: Accuracy can be improved at a later date, regardless of real time. In the end, centimeter-level accuracy is achieved while reducing initial investment.
• Cost Efficiency and Scalability: Flexibility to improve accuracy later as future demand grows. Useful for delivery robots, drones, and shared mobility services.
• Application Range: PPK proves highly valuable in areas focused on post-analysis, such as map maintenance, advanced driving log, and infrastructure inspection.

https://speakerdeck.com/kensuketakahara/hou-chu-li-dewei-zhi-qing-bao-wobu-zheng-suruji-shu-woshi-sitemita

---

5. Construction of Simulation Logic Before Introduction of On-Demand Bus Service (Tentative)

Speaker: Halufy, New Technology Development Office, Advanced Planning Department, TOYOTA Connected Corporation

While on-demand transportation is attractive for flexibility, it is not easy to ensure profitability and sustainability. This session introduced pre-implementation simulations to enable precise demand forecasting and operational planning.

Key points:

• Building a sustainable model: Data is used to verify optimal station placement, fleet size, and time-of-day settings without relying on subsidies.
• Strategic data utilization: By integrating location data with OD data and reservation requests, simulations are conducted to test demand forecasting, pricing strategies, and route optimization.
• Long-term vision: It will serve as a foundation for improving overall urban transportation efficiency and convenience by integrating with other mobility means and infrastructure.

---

Future Topics and the Prospects for Mobility Night

By focusing on GPS and location information, Mobility Night #1 has taken a deep dive into the mobility industry's "current location awareness" technology. Many participants commented, "I never realized how deep the topic of location data could be!" and "It is valuable to hear about everything from the basics to advanced utilization."

However, the mobility industry encompasses far more than just GPS and location information. In the future, we also aim to explore areas such as

• IoT device utilization: Real-time data collection and control from sensors
• Data analysis: Demand forecasting and advanced operational optimization
• Product design: Improving UX and maximizing user satisfaction
• Quality assurance: Ensuring reliability and compliance with safety standards

to make it a place that encourages innovation throughout the industry.

Mobility Night is not just planned by the organizers, but also welcome speaker proposals and topic suggestions from participants. We aim to create a community where discussions and co-hosting opportunities can be easily facilitated through Discord, making it accessible and engaging for everyone.

https://discord.com/invite/nn7QW5pn8B

---

Summary

Mobility Night #1 clarified the core technological challenges of mobility services by focusing on GPS and location-based technologies, highlighting the potential for new value creation through overcoming these challenges. A diverse range of approaches intermingled, including efforts to transform static maps into a dynamic information infrastructure, enhance environment-dependent GPS accuracy through advanced methods, and develop data-driven strategies for on-demand transportation planning.

These insights will be combined with future Mobility Night themes such as IoT, data analysis, product design, and quality assurance, further accelerating progress across the industry. Stay tuned to Mobility Night, and let's learn, interact, and create new value together!