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NEXCO EAST (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) will begin recruiting partner companies for the fourth phase of its accelerator program "DraPla Innovation Lab" (hereinafter referred to as the Program) from August 1, 2024.

1. 1. Background of program implementation

We have always pursued the "safety, security, comfort, and convenience" of our customers, and supported the movement of "people" and "goods" as a company that provides infrastructure that "connects" regions. In recent years, amid the evolution of technology and the diversification of values in society, we believe that we too need to bring new "value" to the movement of people, goods, and events, and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
In order to create and realize new Expressway services, we launched the first Expressway company in 2021, aiming to accelerate transformation through co-creation between business partners who are aiming for significant growth in various business fields and our company, which has many strengths. Currently, we are conducting demonstration experiments to realize new services, mainly with companies selected in the third round of applications.
(See the attached "Reference Materials" [PDF: 513KB].)

2. Program contents

This program is a co-creation partner who has new technology and innovative business ideas and is enthusiastic about innovation for future Expressway services, and our Expressway, service areas and parking areas (hereinafter referred to as " , SA / PA), etc., while utilizing resources and verification budgets, etc., we aim to solve social issues and implement services and products that bring "new value" to the movement of people, goods, and things. ..

3. 3. Recruitment theme

In addition to the four themes from last year, this year's program has set three new themes that relate to issues that the company aims to solve quickly in light of the review of its medium-term management plan. In total, the program is looking for co-creation partners for seven themes in total.

Four themes inviting a wide range of ideas for new Expressway experience value

1. Updating Expressway Business for the Next Generation
   NEXCO EAST 's Expressway stretches 3,943 km from Hokkaido to Kanto in eastern Japan, and is used by 2.96 million vehicles per day. More than 50 years have passed since it was built, and while measures to deal with aging are urgently needed, with technology advancing rapidly and self-driving cars and connected cars becoming a reality in society, the expressway will continue to improve "safety and security" as well as "comfort and convenience" for decades to come, and update the value it provides in the movement of people, goods, and experiences.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Achieving "safety and security" for the next generation Expressway (203X)
   • Providing “Comfort and Convenience” through New Mobility Experiences
   • Further improving the convenience of Expressway
2. Further increasing the value of service areas and parking areas
   There are 328 SA/PAs in the eastern Japan area, which serve as places of relaxation for customers. They have always supported the local economy and contributed to revitalization by serving as hubs and nodes between regions that connect cities and regions, and between regions. In addition to existing as "refreshment spaces," SA/PAs will further enhance their value by enhancing their technology and services and providing new customer experiences.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Providing a new customer experience at SA/PA
   • Transforming SA/PA into a place where people gather
   • Creating a place to revitalize the local community
3. Strengthening regional cooperation and creating new businesses based on various assets
   Contact points and driving data with 2.96 million customers per day. Businesses such as real estate, finance, and travel. In the diverse and vast fields managed by NEXCO EAST, we will provide new customer experiences by utilizing technology and implementing solutions, and will not only improve existing value, but also evolve and deepen into a business entity that provides further added value.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Promoting regional revitalization with SA/PA as hubs
   • Creation of "Mobility Opportunities" and Provision of "Mobility Experiences"
   • New ways to utilize various asset data
4. Sustainable business operations and contribution to the SDGs
   This is a responsibility that comes from being an infrastructure company that supports people's movement and the economy. We will achieve sustainable business operations in any era, including the realization of a carbon-neutral, carbon-free, and recycling-oriented society, measures against natural disasters, improvements to the living environment in local areas and along roads, and the establishment of operating methods that adapt to population decline and aging. Furthermore, we aim to build a scheme that contributes to the sustainability of society as a whole and the SDGs in cooperation with each stakeholder.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Achieving a carbon-neutral, decarbonized society
   • Realization of a sound material-cycle society
   • Stable provision of infrastructure functions

Three themes for which we are seeking proposals for early solutions

1. Improving efficiency and labor-saving of road management operations using long-range drones
   The Expressway network managed by NEXCO EAST is located in both urban and mountainous areas. As infrastructure, it is our responsibility to ensure safety and security at all times, not only in normal times but also in emergencies. The advancement of road management operations using long-range drone technology solutions will be essential in the coming era, and we aim to achieve this through co-creation with our partners.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Inspecting Expressway and bridges using drones
2. Real-time detection of abnormalities and alerts on Expressway
   Compared to ordinary roads, Expressway offer benefits such as shorter transport times, lower transport costs, and fewer traffic accidents. In order to safely use road spaces where vehicles travel at extremely high speeds, it is necessary to detect small abnormalities and problems early and accurately and take measures. For the safety of our customers, we will work with partners who possess technology to achieve more advanced anomaly detection and recovery.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Real-time anomaly detection and response
3. Streamlining and automating structure inspection work and document creation
   To ensure the "safety and security" of Expressway, daily maintenance and inspections are of course required, as well as detailed inspections once every five years. While these are essential to ensure customer safety and extend the lifespan of structures, creating and managing inspection results reports takes a huge amount of time and money. By utilizing technology, we will streamline and automate the work of creating reports and managing data, and work with our partners to quickly build an environment in which we can focus on improving our services.
   (Co-creation example)
   • Using technology to improve efficiency and reduce manpower in infrastructure management

Four. schedule

This program will be implemented according to the following schedule.
As a result of verification in this program, we will consider making further investments for commercialization of initiatives that are judged to be of high value to continue.

• PoC: Abbreviation for Proof of Concept. concept verification

Five. Qualification requirements

• Being registered as a corporation (regardless of company size)
• Have a product or technology

6. Application method

The "E-NEXCO OPEN INNOVATION PROGRAM 2024" will be published on the NEXCO EAST DraPla Innovation website. Please apply via the following URL.
https://www.driveplaza.com/innovation_lab/

7. 7. Questions and inquiries regarding this program

　ご質問・お問い合せは、以下までお気軽にお問い合せください。
　ドラぷらイノベーションラボ事務局　i_lab@e-nexco.co.jp