KDDI and Couger Lead Japan to Initiate "Smart Contract" Proof of Concept Projects Utilizing Enterprise Ethereum

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Precursor to the next-generation service platform combining AI, IoT, and Blockchain technology.

  • KDDI CORPORATION
  • KDDI Research, Inc.
  • Couger Inc.

September 27,2017

TOKYO―KDDI Corporation [TOKYO: 9433], KDDI Research, Inc., and Couger Inc. initiate proof of concept projects for a "Smart Contract" system, the first in Japan to utilize Enterprise Ethereum [1].
Additionally, KDDI has joined the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA) [2] on September 27th, 2017.

"Smart Contract" is a system that uses blockchain [3] technology to insert pre-determined agreement and contract terms into a software program in a way that is difficult to falsely tamper or alter. When the conditions are fulfilled, they will be executed automatically.

This proof of concept will extend beyond blockchains utilized by existing business and will validate business and technical issues and benefits for (a) Open services built on platforms such as the Ethereum and includes non-financial interactions, and (b) Smart Contracts for coordination with partner company services.

Specific first step will be to validate operational productivity benefits by application of blockchain to share necessary information securely and in real-time for the service flow from customer's cellphone repair request at AU shops to the completion of the repair process.

Smart Contract will also be validated for handset reuse services that require versatile coordination between multiple business entities. Specifically, we will validate that program can autonomously discern data from different systems such as repair price, model exchange price, used handset market price to make an optimum contract.

POC: Repair Process Operation POC: Inter-company Contract Automation

KDDI and Couger will further explore and validate ways to combine Smart Contract with IoT and AI technologies in ways to achieve new levels of closeness, value, and experiences for the customers.

In addition to working with Couger to develop ways to combine and apply AI, robotics, and blockchain, KDDI will work with blockchain developer Trident-Arts co., ltd., legal tech developer Kentauros Works Inc., and in cooperation with other members of the EEA to create a robust next generation service platform based on the combined "AI x IoT x Blockchain" technology.

  • [1]
    Enterprise Ethereum is a distributed application platform for the enterprise.
  • [2]
    Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA) is an alliance formed to unify Enterprise Ethereum use cases, decide upon standardization, and develop open-source programs. there are more than 150 participating companies.
  • [3]
    A blockchain is a continually operating system that makes falsification of data very difficult through distributed computing and verification. Because of this, users can expect to safely share data even in the absence of a trustworthy central management figure.

[Corporate Profile: KDDI CORPORATION]

  • Company Name:
    Open link in a new windowKDDI CORPORATION
  • Date of Establishment:
    June1, 1984
  • Head Office:
    3-10-10, Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
  • President:
    President Takashi Tanaka
  • Main Business:
    Telecommunications business

[Corporate Profile: KDDI Research, Inc.]

  • Company Name:
    Open link in a new windowKDDI Research, Inc.
  • Date of Establishment:
    April 1, 1998
  • Head Office:
    2-1-15 Ohara, Fujimino-shi, Saitama, 356-8502 Japan
  • President:
    President and CEO Yasuyuki Nakajima
  • Main Business:
    Research, development, production, sale, and licensing of technologies and systems for information and communications. Survey, research, and consulting on policies, markets, and businesses mainly in the information and communication fields.

[Corporate Profile: Couger Inc.]

  • Company Name:
    Open link in a new windowCouger Inc.
  • Date of Establishment:
    December, 2006
  • Head Office:
    Koshiichi Bldg #403, 6-19-16, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001, Japan
  • President:
    CEO Atsushi Ishii
  • Main Business:
    Architecture and development of platforms to apply artificial intelligence, robotics, and blockchain technologies and large-scale server-side system.

[Corporate Profile: trident-arts co., ltd.]

  • Company Name:
    Open link in a new windowtrident-arts co., ltd.
  • Date of Establishment:
    2016
  • Head Office:
    Chuo-ku Ginza 7-11-3 Yajima building 8F-10, Tokyo, Japan
  • President:
    CEO Koji Machi
  • Main Business:
    Development of open source softwares
    Consulting of enterprise smartcontract development
    Design and development of enterprise smartcontract

[Centaurus Works inc.]

  • Company Name:
    Open link in a new windowCentaurus Works inc.
  • Date of Establishment:
    April, 2017
  • Head Office:
    Chiyoda-ku Kudan-minami 1-6-17 ,Tokyo, Japan
  • President:
    CEO Kenichiro Kawasaki
  • Main Business:
    Development and operation of smart contract system using AI and blockchain technology
  • The information contained in the news releases is current at the time of publication. Products, service fees,service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.