Sony and Sompo Japan Launch "Let's Create Together! Next-Generation Traffic Safety Map Project"

Sony Network Communications Inc. and Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. have released a new experiential traffic safety education program, "Let's Create Together! Next-Generation Traffic Safety Map Project," aimed at preventing traffic accidents involving elementary school students, and will begin offering it to elementary schools and municipalities nationwide. This initiative is an inquiry-based learning program based on behavioral data, developed as part of both companies' CSR activities. It combines Sony Network Communications' AI behavior analysis technology from its Advanced Pedestrian-Assistance Systems (APAS) and inquiry-based learning program with Sompo Japan's traffic safety awareness workshop, "Kotsu-Japanda ~Find the Dangers!~".

1. Background The number of elementary school students killed or injured in traffic accidents while walking remains high, with a high incidence among lower-grade students and during after-school hours. Traditional lecture-based safety education has struggled to make the issue personally relevant to children and lead to actual behavioral change. To address this, Sony's APAS and data-based experiential program have been systemized, leveraging Sompo Japan's expertise in traffic safety awareness and its nationwide network. Following a pilot implementation at Nishitokyo Municipal Hoya Elementary School in February 2026, the companies have decided to formally roll out the program nationwide.

2. Service Overview In this project, children become "researchers" to investigate and analyze the safety of their own school routes. The program proceeds as follows: ① [Learn] Sompo Japan and Sony Network Communications jointly conduct a participatory workshop. Using the "Kotsu-Japanda" workshop, children learn traffic rules and safe walking habits. ② [Measure] Children carry a GPS monitoring device for about two weeks, which records location data and risky behaviors such as sudden dashing. ③ [Create] Based on aggregated anonymous data, dangerous locations are visualized on a heat map. Using this data as teaching material, students create their own "Next-Generation Traffic Safety Map" in class using GIGA School devices.

The program's features include a scientific approach based on objective behavioral data, the promotion of proactive student learning, and the contribution of the created maps to community-wide safety measures.

3. Future Plans Sony Network Communications and Sompo Japan plan to promote the nationwide adoption of this project to provide it to more children.