The world we live in is moving rapidly towards a more technologically enabled one. Among the most transformative innovations is Video+Edge+AI technology, a powerful advancement that’s rapidly gaining prominence. This cutting-edge fusion of video analytics and artificial intelligence has emerged as a critical tool in addressing a multitude of contemporary challenges and opportunities.
Video Edge AI technology is a game-changer across various sectors, from security and surveillance to healthcare, retail, transportation, and beyond. It empowers us to process and analyze vast streams of video data in real-time, enabling immediate insights and actionable intelligence. This real-time capability is invaluable for enhancing safety and security, streamlining operations, and improving decision-making processes.
Moreover, Video Edge AI technology is propelling the development of autonomous vehicles, revolutionizing healthcare diagnostics, and enhancing customer experiences in retail and hospitality. Its ability to quickly and accurately process visual information offers a competitive advantage in our increasingly data-driven world.
Featuring for The Enterprise World’s this issue of Enterprising Companies of the Year is the story of EDGEMATRIX Inc, a company revolutionizing industries and daily lives.
Journey of EDGEMATRIX Inc
The company was founded on April 26, 2019 and is based in Tokyo. Some of its major shareholders are NTT Communications Corporation and Shimizu Corporation.
EDGEMATRIX Inc. is a company that provides a deployment platform for implementing “video edge AI” in the field. Video edge AI is a technology that processes large amounts of data from camera images with AI at the edge (the site). EDGEMATRIX’s products and services are widely used in social infrastructure such as roads, large parking lots, railways, rivers, coasts, remote islands, and large-scale facilities to warn of abnormalities and dangers and increase safety, and to analyze the flow of people such as congestion and increase efficiency and economy.
Edge AI Box: An edge AI device equipped with a GPU and a 5G/LTE/WiFi communication module that can be installed in various environments such as outdoor type with waterproof, dustproof, and lightning protection.
EDGEMATRIX Service: A platform service that remotely manages and controls edge AI devices. You can monitor real-time and recorded images from cameras with the Edge View function.
EDGEMATRIX Store: A virtual store that provides a variety of ready-to-use AI apps.
EDGEMATRIX Solution: A customized AI app developed with AI partners according to the needs and purposes of customers, and a deployment platform using EDGEMATRIX Inc to implement video edge AI in the field.
“We aim to create a smart city that enriches life and industry with the use of the latest AI technology.”
Overcoming the Challenges
EDGEMATRIX Inc. encountered several significant challenges in the development and deployment of its video edge AI platform, “EDGEMATRIX Service.” These complexities included the coordination and integration of hardware and software with a manufacturing partner in Taiwan, mitigating technological risks by leveraging the expertise of a reliable partner in Costa Rica, coping with delays in product delivery due to disruptions in the supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, convincing customers of the benefits of on-site AI video processing over cloud-based alternatives, and the development of diverse AI applications tailored to different industries and domains.
“One of the key factors that enabled EDGEMATRIX to grow was the business alliance with NTT Communications, a leading Japanese telecommunications company, and Shimizu Corporation, a major construction company, who became shareholders at the same time.”
Both companies provided support for EDGEMATRIX Inc in developing and delivering its products, services, and solutions, as well as assisting in sales activities.
EDGEMATRIX’ Long-Standing Success
“The reason behind our company’s long-standing success is our innovative and high-quality products, Edge AI Box and video edge AI platform service that provide real-time and secure solutions for various industries and domains by processing the camera video with AI on-site, without sending camera video to the cloud.”, says Shinya Motohashi, Co-founder and EVP, EDGEMATRIX Inc.
Using video edge AI tech means you get quick alerts when something unusual or risky is seen in on-site videos. This helps boost safety by acting fast when needed. Also, it saves money by not sending lots of video data to faraway cloud servers, reducing costs.
Plus, it keeps your private info safe because the videos stay on-site, under your control. This means you worry less about data breaches and privacy issues, and it’s cost-effective.
EDGEMATRIX’ Suite of Products and Services
“Our company develops and provides EDGEMATRIX Inc products and services, which are video edge AI solutions that process the video from IP cameras with AI at the site.”
The company’s services have several advantages over other solutions in the market, such as AI cameras, cloud AI, and scratch development. These are some of the differences between EDGEMATRIX’ products and other solutions:
AI cameras are cheap but have limited functionality and applicability. They can only perform specific tasks and cannot handle complex situations or environments. EDGEMATRIX Inc’ products are flexible and can select cameras that suit the site environment, such as long distance and night time.
Cloud AI requires sending camera images to the cloud, which can cause delays, bandwidth issues, and security risks. EDGEMATRIX’ products can process the video with AI in real time, without sending camera images to the cloud, which ensures high speed and security.
Scratch development by major manufacturers and SIs can be customized but also expensive and time-consuming. EDGEMATRIX’ products and services are generally sold as products and monthly subscription services. Then, our products are cost-effective and can reduce the time and cost of introduction, compared to solutions developed from scratch.
What the Future Holds?
EDGEMATRIX’ products and services are mainly adopted in social infrastructure such as roads, large-scale parking lots, railways, rivers, coasts, and large-scale facilities, and the company aims to provide reliable, high-end products that can operate stably 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in this field.
Currently, the company is developing and commercializing software and other components for “Edge AI Appliance”, which is a device that enhances the performance and functionality of edge AI devices. This appliance implements not only video edge AI technology, but also Open API and standard protocols for smart buildings that are widely used in the world. It can digitize surveillance camera images into numerical and text data with AI, collect data from various sensors and equipment, and enable integrated management, control, and central monitoring of smart cities and smart buildings.
In overseas markets, EDGEMATRIX Inc plans to sell its products and services in combination with the solutions of its partners.
Leading the Way
Shinya Motohashi (Co-Founder & Executive Vice President)
Shinya Motohashi is the co-founder and executive vice president of EDGEMATRIX. He graduated from Hitotsubashi University and obtained a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.
He spun off EDGEMATRIX in 2019 from Cloudian Inc, which is now headquartered in Silicon Valley. He handled everything from business planning to fundraising to start up EDGEMATRIX Inc. At Cloudian, he created the concept of big data products and sold them to cloud providers in Japan after they were productized.
He joined KDD, which was then the international communication company, as a new graduate and worked in core management fields such as business planning and president’s secretary.
He then moved to Vodafone and was in charge of strategy as a member of the global team. After Vodafone was acquired by Softbank, he planned new communication businesses.
Achievements of a Stellar Journey
“In my entrepreneurial journey, I have achieved significant milestones,by providing AI that can be implemented in the field, not just in the laboratory.”
One of the key highlights is securing funding from major Japanese corporations to fuel the company’s endeavors. This funding has enabled the team to spin off a dedicated project team and establish EDGEMATRIX Inc as a thriving venture.
One notable achievement is the consistent year-over-year revenue growth. Despite the challenges of the AI industry, EDGEMATRIX has managed to sustain and even expand its sales, demonstrating the market’s strong demand for the company’s innovative solutions.
Building a Team with an EDGE
“At EDGEMATRIX, our compact team of around 30 members embodies a unique blend of hardware, software, and cloud service experts. This diversity enables us to offer comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for edge AI products and services. We prioritize our employees by fostering a collaborative, inclusive work environment that encourages knowledge sharing and innovation.”, adds Mr. Motohashi.
Leader’s Corner
In this insightful give and take with Mr. Shinya Motohashi, our team found out secrets to his leadership and what keeps him motivated throughout. Leader’s Corner wishes to enlighten you with this knowledge.
From the mastermind of EDGEMATRIX Inc Mr. Motohashi himself
One person who you admire the most?
“I admire the president I served as a secretary for during my four years at KDD. I’m grateful for the opportunity he provided me in my younger years, which allowed me to see the true essence of business leaders. Moreover, he created an environment that greatly contributed to my personal growth.”
Whose business story do you find the most inspiring?
“I find the business story of Eiichi Shibusawa to be the most inspiring. His journey as an entrepreneur and his contributions to modernizing Japan’s economy serve as a remarkable source of inspiration for me.”
Which is the most inspiring quote you have read?
I find the concept of ‘actions speak louder than words (不言実行)’ to be the most inspiring. In the world of programming, it’s “show me the code”. This is because it underscores the idea that our deeds and accomplishments have a more significant impact than mere promises or intentions. It reminds me of the importance of taking concrete steps, being proactive, and demonstrating commitment to achieving meaningful goals.”
Constant vigilance- a need or a strategy? Please share your views.
Constant Vigilance is indeed crucial, both in terms of staying attuned to market dynamics and promptly addressing risks. It’s essential to remain sensitive to changes in competition and market conditions, swiftly detecting potential challenges and responding effectively. Furthermore, in today’s business landscape, where internal scandals and risks can threaten the very foundation of organizations, maintaining a constant awareness of these internal risks is imperative. At EDGEMATRIX Inc, we regularly conduct risk and compliance checks. This helps us identify and address any potential issues that may affect our products, services, or customers. We believe that constant vigilance is vital for maintaining our quality and reputation.
It’s a rat-race out there. How do you cope with that?
One way we navigate the competitive landscape is by focusing on industries where once products or services are adopted, they tend to have a long-lasting presence, much like the social infrastructure sector including smart buildings and smart cities. By offering solutions tailored to such industries, we aim to establish a robust business foundation, ensuring longevity and mitigating the intensity of competition.
