Tokyo, August 7, 2026 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) and UrbanChain will jointly launch a demonstration in September 2026 to evaluate a next-generation surface parking lot service designed to accelerate the digital transformation (DX) of parking facilities.

The demonstration will integrate UrbanChain’s parking management system featuring automated payment functionality ("Parking OS," a module of UrbanOS*) with NEC’s AI-powered image recognition technology for detecting when occupants exit a vehicle. Through this initiative, the companies will evaluate the feasibility of a new parking service that enhances both safety and convenience.

Background

NEC has been advancing the DX of parking facilities by developing highly safe and convenient solutions for mechanical parking systems, including its Entry/Exit Safety Management Solution and Vehicle Acceptance Assessment Solution (**). These solutions leverage AI-powered image recognition technologies to detect people and vehicles and monitor pedestrian movement within parking facilities. UrbanChain, meanwhile, is promoting the digitalization of parking operations through its Parking OS platform.

Public concern has grown in recent years over safety and security of parking lots due to incidents such as drivers suddenly falling ill or suffering medical emergencies while inside their vehicles. In addition, fees are often charged when drivers are still searching for parking spaces, dropping off or picking up passengers, or making U-turns, which may rush driving decisions.

To address these issues, it is essential to implement a system that accurately monitors when a vehicle enters a facility and when occupants exit their vehicles. In April 2026, NEC and UrbanChain began exploring a new service model combining an automated payment system with AI-powered image recognition technology. Using the actual time a driver exits their vehicle as the starting point enhances safety and convenience for parking lot users and enables assessment of new possibilities for data utilization. In this demonstration, NEC and UrbanChain will validate the effectiveness of this service model from both a technical and business perspective.

Demonstration Overview

Integrating UrbanChain’s Parking OS with NEC’s technology for detecting when occupants exit a vehicle, the demonstration will assess the service’s feasibility for real-world operations.

■ Demonstration period: Approximately one month starting in September 2026 (including the compilation of demonstration results)
■ Location: Surface parking lots in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
■ Validation items:

Technical validation

Business Validation

Future Outlook

Through this pilot demonstration, NEC and UrbanChain plan to pursue the development of a next-generation parking lot service model with the goal of elevating the safety, security, and convenience of parking lots.

Looking ahead, NEC and UrbanChain aim to expand into data utilization services targeting commercial facilities that can be used for monitoring vehicle occupant exit counts, analyzing facility visitor trends, and more. Additionally, the companies plan to expand the application of this service in the parking DX domain, going beyond surface parking lots to mechanical parking systems used in multi-level parking structures.

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Notes:

About NEC
The NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.

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