Asilla Inc. (Headquarters: Machida, Tokyo; CEO & COO: Takeshi Onoue) and Sugahara Generalist Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Marugame, Kagawa; President: Noriaki Sugahara) have launched a proof-of-concept (PoC) for a helmsman behavior recognition solution aimed at reducing operational risk and strengthening safety management in the maritime industry.
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Japan's maritime workforce is aging significantly, with over 50% of domestic cargo ship crew members aged 50 or above, and the proportion aged 60+ increasing annually. With the "2030 problem" looming—mass retirement of experienced baby boomer crew members within the next decade—advancing safety management amid staffing shortages and increased workloads has become urgent.
According to the Japan Transport Safety Board, 593 maritime accidents occurred in 2024 alone, including 209 collisions, 166 groundings, and 46 capsizings. Many of these were attributable to crew illness, drowsiness, or inattention.
While infrared sensors have been used traditionally, they struggle to detect subtle precursor behaviors in the complex bridge environment, such as lingering at the chart table or mobile phone use. This PoC uses Asilla's behavior recognition AI to detect drowsiness (nodding off), fainting, falls, lingering at the chart table, mobile phone use, and absence, triggering speaker warnings to prevent maritime accidents.
The PoC spans four months from September 2025, covering AI model development, notification system integration, and verification testing. Asilla handles AI model development and optimization while Sugahara Generalist provides operational domain expertise, validation environments, and on-site coordination.
If effectiveness is confirmed, both companies will pursue sequential deployment to other vessels and operational implementation, aiming to establish this initiative as a pioneering case for next-generation maritime safety standards with cooperation from regulatory authorities and industry organizations.
CEO & COO: Takeshi Onoue
Headquarters: 1-4-2 Nakacho, Machida, Tokyo
Website: https://jp.asilla.com/
President: Noriaki Sugahara
Headquarters: 307 Minato-machi, Marugame, Kagawa
Business: Maritime transport, vessel leasing, vessel management, ship repair and maintenance
Website: https://sugahara-j.com/
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