Launch of Demonstration Project for Improving Efficiency of Gas Cylinder Delivery

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Head Office: Higashi-ku, Nagoya City; hereinafter "Chubu Electric Power"), Ryomo Systems Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture; hereinafter "Ryomo Systems"), and Ogaki Gas Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture; hereinafter "Ogaki Gas")—these three companies—launched a demonstration project today to improve the efficiency of gas cylinder delivery (hereinafter "the Demonstration").

Ogaki Gas currently utilizes an automated gas meter reading service that leverages the smart meter communication network provided by Chuden Telemetring LLC, a subsidiary of Chubu Electric Power; and has implemented the "GIOS®" core system provided by Ryomo Systems. For gas cylinder delivery operations, "GIOS®" uses daily consumption data collected through automatic meter reading to estimate future demand and remaining quantities, thereby predicting which customers require delivery. Based on this, delivery personnel determine their daily delivery destinations and routes based on their experience and other factors.

However, when it comes to forecasting delivery destinations, the impact of recent extreme weather events has made it increasingly difficult to predict demand. Furthermore, the reliance on individual expertise in planning delivery routes remains a challenge.

In the Demonstration, Ryomo Systems' advanced "GIOS®" delivery target prediction function—which incorporates meteorological factors—will be used to improve prediction accuracy. In addition, the AI-powered delivery route optimization system provided by SWAT Mobility Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) will be utilized to automatically calculate optimal vehicle assignments and delivery routes.
Through these initiatives, we aim to optimize the timing of gas cylinder replacements while automating and streamlining the entire process—from forecasting delivery volumes to planning delivery routes—with the goal of reducing reliance on individual delivery personnel and minimizing delivery distances and times.

The three companies will combine their respective technologies and services to achieve digital transformation (DX) in the LP gas business and work toward solving challenges by streamlining and enhancing their operations.

Outline of the Demonstration