7. Platform safety support device using side-mounted cameras

On one-person operated (OPO) trains, it is the responsibility of the train operator to ensure platform safety during departure.
In recent years, these trains have been equipped with cameras on the sides of the vehicles, enabling operators to check the platform from the driver's seat.
We have developed a platform safety support device that utilizes these side-mounted cameras to provide assistance for the train operators.

For training an AI model, we employed dedicated datasets tailored to the railway station environment, enabling it to recognize both the full body and head of approaching passengers, along with identifying objects such as wheelchairs, baby strollers, and white canes(see Figure 1).
Our device comprises a high-speed AI model developed in-house and paired with a CPU. The AI implementation prioritizes processing speed while maintaining performance, resulting in effective real-time operation with a 20-millisecond response time, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Notably, our device offers a cost-effective solution, as it omits expensive components such as GPUs and their associated image processing semiconductors.
Furthermore, its design, lacking a dedicated cooling fan, results in a smaller, quieter, and less vibration-prone system (complies with JIS E4031 Rolling Stock Equipment - Vibration and Shock Tests). The device can be retrofitted to use the video feed from existing side-mounted cameras providing timely alerts to train operators regarding approaching passengers (see Figure 3).