The Mainichi Shimbun reported on the 3rd that the Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain ‘Kurasushi’ introduced a ‘new AI camera system’ to all stores on the 2nd to prevent nuisance in the rotating lanes. It is a device to prevent nuisance such as licking a soy sauce bottle or water bottle placed on the table with the mouth and tongue.
Recently, videos of nuisance behavior at conveyor belt sushi chains are spreading on social media such as TikTok. A video of people freely eating sushi or desserts ordered by others on a rotating lane was also uploaded, earning the nickname “Sushi Terror”.
As such nuisance behaviors occurred one after another, centered on conveyor belt sushi, more consumers felt anxious about using restaurants.
Kurasushi’s AI camera was also introduced against this background. Cameras were previously installed to check the number of plates taken by guests at the time of 2021. This time, a function was added to detect suspicious opening and closing of the ‘antibacterial sushi cover’ on top of the sushi. It has been improved to detect ‘nuisance behavior’. This measure is the first attempt in the conveyor belt sushi industry.
When the AI camera installed at the top of the lane detects a suspicious opening or closing, an alarm goes off at the headquarters. After that, the person in charge makes a phone call to the person in charge of the store. On the system, the clerk, store name, identification ID, product number, seat number, occurrence time, and correspondence are shared. Depending on the content of the nuisance, there are cases where it is reported to the local police.
The contacted store removes the sushi plate for which the abnormality was detected from the rotation lane and guides the customer suspected of opening or closing the suspicious item. If the sushi plate is taken by another customer, the staff will replace it with a new one. There are about 20 people in charge of monitoring at the headquarters, and 6 to 7 people are always in operation at two branches in Saitama and Osaka.
The only thing AI cameras can monitor is on the turning lanes. It can detect abnormal signs such as opening and closing the lid covered with sushi flowing over the rotation lane several times, but it cannot check the top of the table.
Kurasushi plans to change the soy sauce on the table every time a customer changes until the end of May. In addition to AI cameras, manpower tactics will be used to ensure safety.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.