What kind of image do you have regarding the 'civil engineering industry'? Common perceptions often include 'heavy labor, low safety, low productivity, non-IT,' and the like.
We believe that civil engineering represents “technology that sustains the world” as infrastructure such as bridges and roads are essential for people to live. With declining population in many countries, increasing the efficiency of civil engineering has become a global challenge.
We, EARTHBRAIN are addressing this significant challenge through DX (Digital Transformation) of civil engineering. Why don’t you join us in tackling the global challenge?
EARTHBRAIN is a technology startup company established in July 2021 as a collaboration between Komatsu, NTT DOCOMO, Sony, and Nomura Research Institute. Our vision is to address social challenges in Japan's civil engineering industry, such as the aging workforce and declining labor force, by optimizing construction processes with digital technology. This transformation aims to significantly enhance productivity, safety, and environmental impact.
With the backing of the world's second-largest construction machinery manufacturer, Komatsu, as well as Sony's sensor technology, NTT Communications' communication expertise, and Nomura Research Institute's research and consulting capabilities, EARTHBRAIN has the hardware, capital, technology, and global network needed to innovate an industry that has been relatively slow to digitize.
The civil engineering industry represents a massive market, with around 24 trillion yen annually in Japan and 200 trillion yen worldwide. Despite this, the adoption rate of ICT construction in Japan's local governments is less than 30%. While various industries in Japan, like FinTech, HR Tech, and Ad Tech, have already undergone transformation through technology, "Civil Tech" (digitalization in the civil engineering sector) is still in its early stages and can be considered the dawn of digital transformation in this field.
We perceive civil engineering as the technology that supports the world, and our aim is to create products that can be used in any location or environment worldwide.
The aging workforce and declining new entrants in the civil engineering industry, along with a decrease in the labor force, represent significant societal challenges that could potentially disrupt our lives. If the current situation persists without improvement, essential civil projects such as road construction and disaster prevention may go unattended.