Lippo Karawaci, Softbank Join Forces to Develop AI, IoT, Big Data Solutions

Jakarta. Lippo Karawaci, one of Indonesia's largest property developers, has signed up Japanese multinational conglomerate Softbank to help with the development and dissemination of Internet of Things platforms and smart solutions in its real estate and mobility ecosystems.

John Riady, Lippo Karawaci's chief executive, and Hidebumi Kitahara, Softbank's vice president of global business strategy, signed the memorandum of understanding for the partnership on Thursday in Jakarta. 

"Softbank believes in Indonesia's potentials, so we continue to work together in technology, especially in IoT and big data. Lippo Karawaci is a real estate company, so it must have a mindset not only to build but also to think like a consumer company that understands the needs of its consumers," John said. 

Initially, Lippo will implement the collaboration in Lippo Village Karawaci with plans to develop it as "a center for technology and research applications in Southeast Asia."

In the first half of 2020, the collaboration will be implemented in other projects such as Lippo Cikarang, Meikarta, and other mixed-used integration projects under the developer.

"We are very pleased to move forward and work closely with SoftBank to develop innovative AI [artificial intelligence] and IoT-based solutions for our customers in the largest integrated real estate and healthcare company in Indonesia. In our cities, we intend to implement IoT technology through smart cluster management and smart traffic management, with Lippo Village being the first phase of the development," John said.

Softbank has an extensive portfolio of partnerships with IoT, AI and mobility companies including ride-haling company Grab. In July 2018, SoftBank collaborated with Lippo's technology arm Link Net in the development and implementation of IoT platforms and solutions.    

Kitahara said Softbank welcomed its new collaboration with Lippo enthusiastically and aimed to generate useful insights from shopping centers and other commercial facilities under the developer's management, its chain of hospitals and the entire Lippo Village area.

"We aim to develop Lippo Village as an example of a Smart City model in Southeast Asia," Kitahara said.

Softbank's smart cluster management uses advanced camera technology for facial recognition of residents, even when they sit inside their cars, and also has the ability to read license plate numbers and identify unknown visitors.

Smart traffic management uses closed-circuit television (CCTV) to identify motorbikes, cars, buses, trucks, etc. and count the number of vehicles that enter an area. This allows improved traffic management and better traffic flow. 

John said Softbank would also provide analytics platforms supported by Al and big data to improve customer experience by recording users' behaviors to enable targeted special offers in 51 shopping malls managed by Lippo Karawaci. 

"This technology allows malls and shops to make customer-centered offers that will provide a unique smart shopping experience. In addition, this collaboration will also assist Siloam Hospitals in providing smart health services," John said.

Lippo Karawaci's total assets were valued at $3.7 billion at the end of June, with core businesses comprising housing development in urban areas, lifestyle malls and health services. The company is also actively involved in integrated development, hospitality, urban development and management, and asset management services.