Hokkaido Chuo Bus launches AI-powered multilingual voice guides

Hokkaido Chuo Bus and TISI have co-developed a mobility-based voice guide system that utilizes generative AI and GPS technology. Starting November 4, the service will be deployed on regular sightseeing buses departing from Sapporo Station North Exit.

The system provides multilingual information about sightseeing spots and Hokkaido heritage sites based on the bus's real-time location. It supports English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. Passengers can access the guides by scanning a QR code with their smartphones, eliminating the need to install a dedicated application.

Operators can create multilingual guide pages by simply entering Japanese text into a specialized editing interface, which then uses generative AI for translation and speech synthesis. The companies report that this system can reduce maintenance costs by over 70% and new implementation costs by over 80% compared to existing systems, as it does not require significant new hardware investments in the vehicles.

The rollout begins with the Winter Shikotsu Lake and Toya Lake Tour, followed by morning and afternoon Sapporo sightseeing courses on December 1. The companies aim to expand this tourism DX model to other bus operators and tourism associations in the region.