Starting October 27, JR East will initiate AI robot cleaning trials at Akabane Station in Tokyo, utilizing robots, AI, and IoT sensors to perform restroom cleaning, usage monitoring, and contamination identification, while evaluating the feasibility of scheduling cleaning operations based on actual demand. The testing plan will continue until mid-January 2027.
After the last train service ends, the "physical AI cleaning robot" will enter the restrooms at Akabane Station to carry out cleaning tasks. IoT sensors will be installed in the restrooms and trash bins inside the ticket gates to monitor restroom usage frequency and the status of trash bins. Passengers can scan a QR code to submit cleaning requests, and the relevant data will be used to analyze changes in cleaning demand under different usage rates and frequencies.
JR East to Conduct AI Cleaning Technology Trials in 2027
During the testing period, temporary cameras will be installed in the passageway inside the ticket gates at Akabane Station. The system will use AI to analyze the captured images to verify whether it can identify dirt in the passageway. The results of the AI analysis and passenger-submitted cleaning requests will serve as references for determining the need for cleaning. JR East will also test the unified management of information from sensors, AI identification, and passenger requests, using it to develop cleaning plans and assist in on-site operational decisions.
The focus of the tests is to assess whether it is possible to shift from a fixed-time cleaning approach to allocating cleaning tasks based on the actual usage conditions of the station. In addition to Akabane Station, nearby Oji Station, Jujo Station, and Higashi-Jujo Station will also participate in the trials, but these three stations will only conduct surveys of restroom usage and trash bin status through IoT sensors, without implementing robot cleaning or AI image analysis.