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Ichimill is a service that enables positioning with an accuracy of a few centimeters by performing RTK positioning using signals received from GNSS, such as the quasi-zenith satellite "Michibiki." *1 GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) refers to the collective term for satellite positioning systems such as QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. *2 RTK (Real Time Kinematic) positioning is a method that allows for high-precision positioning by using two receivers, a fixed station and a mobile station, to exchange information in real-time between the two points.

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Goyo Construction Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Goyo Construction), which is working to improve productivity at construction sites for civil engineering, architecture, and offshore wind power, has conducted a demonstration experiment to visualize the location information and operational status of heavy machinery in real-time in order to reduce the effort and time required for the placement and management of heavy machinery used in daily construction planning. By reflecting the location information of heavy machinery obtained from SoftBank's high-precision positioning service "ichimill" onto Goyo Construction's integrated construction management system "PiCOMS," the work required for information sharing among stakeholders has been automated, significantly reducing the burden on the site. If you would like to download the detailed case materials, you can do so from here: https://biz.tm.softbank.jp/pg9963-web-doc-entry-ichimill.html?utm_source=other&utm_medium=other&utm_campaign=_BIZ_3086

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In Japanese agriculture, "tameike" (farm ponds) play an important role in securing agricultural water. However, despite the aging population in the region, most of the tameike are currently managed visually for water levels, requiring managers to visit the site during times of increased water levels, which poses challenges for safe maintenance and management. The Miyazaki City North Land Improvement District introduced a water level gauge using the high-precision positioning service "ichimill" to address this issue. By equipping an unmanned small boat with "ichimill" and updating water level information in real-time via a mobile network, they have succeeded in being able to monitor water levels without having to go to the site, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. If you would like to download detailed case materials, you can do so from here: https://biz.tm.softbank.jp/pg11697-web-doc-entry-ichimill.html?utm_source=other&utm_medium=other&utm_campaign=_BIZ_3087

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Currently, the construction and infrastructure industry is facing serious issues such as a shortage of personnel and an aging workforce. The water supply, which is the most important infrastructure supporting our lives, is also confronted with various challenges, including the aging of facilities, a decrease in the number of staff, and an aging workforce among contractors. To maintain and manage water supply facilities, improving on-site efficiency is essential. To address this challenge, Nishio Rent All, a construction equipment rental company, has developed the "HAIKAN-SmartWork" piping construction information management system, which allows for the identification and management of the locations of buried water pipes based on signals received from GNSS. Nishio Rent All has adopted SoftBank's "ichimill" for obtaining location information. For more details on this case, please check our company website. https://www.softbank.jp/biz/blog/business/articles/202304/ichimill_Nishio-rent/

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As the population decline accelerates, the automation of agricultural machinery is effective for cultivating vast farmland. In Shikaoi Town, Hokkaido, "ichimill" has been adopted for cabbage harvesting in extensive farmland. It was used to learn the travel paths of the cabbage transplanter and harvester. Specifically, "ichimill" attached to the agricultural machinery acquires location information and saves data such as the locations where cabbage was planted, the area, and the time. By utilizing ichimill, it is possible to pinpoint locations when checking growth conditions using images captured by satellites or drones, thereby improving the accuracy of harvest timing predictions for each farmland and aiding in the setting of travel routes for automatic harvesters and transporters. Reference article: https://www.softbank.jp/sbnews/entry/20211104_01

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In the construction industry, it has been decided to "principally apply BIM/CIM (Building Information Modeling/Construction Information Modeling) to all public works excluding small-scale projects by 2023." To realize BIM/CIM, three-dimensional data of the target objects is essential. "Ichimill" is being utilized as a means to enhance the accuracy of this three-dimensional surveying. The method of achieving high-precision three-dimensional surveying by combining the LiDAR functionality and GNSS positioning information available on smartphones and tablets has also been highlighted in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's draft guidelines for construction management, attracting attention. Furthermore, by combining it with drones, accurate surveying of even wider areas has become possible, which is expected to lead to increased efficiency in surveying operations that have previously taken a long time. Reference: Draft Guidelines for Construction Management Using Three-Dimensional Measurement Technology / Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism https://www.mlit.go.jp/tec/constplan/content/001612930.pdf

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In the infrastructure sector, where errors have previously hindered the widespread adoption of GPS positioning, the use of RTK positioning, which can measure location information with high precision, allows for accurate measurement of elevation as well, thereby expanding its range of applications. For example, monitoring the water level of agricultural ponds has traditionally been done almost entirely by visual inspection. To improve this analog operation, we have equipped an unmanned small boat with "ichimill" to measure the elevation of the water surface and use it as a water level gauge. Since 2022, we have been providing a service that simplifies management for administrators by allowing them to grasp the acquired water level information in real-time through a mobile network. This enables installation without affecting the bank structure of the pond, significantly reducing the scale of installation work and related activities. For more details, please check the SoftBank news below. Reference article: https://www.softbank.jp/sbnews/entry/20220913_01

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Accurate positioning information is essential for controlling vehicles, so the realization of autonomous driving depends on how precisely positioning can be performed. In a demonstration experiment conducted at sea by e5 Lab in 2020, receivers of "ichimill" were installed at the four corners of the hull. Not only the position of the ship but also its orientation and tilt were obtained with centimeter-level accuracy. Funai from SoftBank, who participated in this demonstration experiment, stated, "Of course, we can track the ship's route, and it can also be used to prevent ship collision accidents. In particular, I believe that using 'ichimill' will enable highly accurate steering assistance during berthing, which is when the most attention is required in ship operation. In the future, we would like to apply this to remote control and autonomous operation of vessels."

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