HH CROSSTOPIA is a service that re-creates real-world towns in the metaverse, and enables users to customize them however they wish. The metaverse worlds they create can be shared with other users, and popular worlds will be reflected in the actual towns themselves.

• Each town, centered around a station, will become a single metaverse world.
• Users can travel seamlessly between different Hankyu Hanshin metaverse worlds.
• The metaverse worlds can be accessed using VR, AR, and via the internet.

1) Town data updated in real-time

Metaverse worlds are created using topographical and architectural data collected by delivery drones, aerial cameras, and security robots that patrol the towns; the metaverse worlds are continually updated with data that is less than 24 hours old.

2) Access method

Users can experience these metaverse worlds as VR spaces via the internet, or using head-mounted displays in the real world. Both methods enable access to the same metaverse worlds.

3) Linked to the real world

Popular effects and characters from the metaverse worlds can be reflected in their real-world counterparts using 3D displays. Data on how townscapes looked in the past is recorded; this data can be used to change the appearance of the real world, so enabling users to experience the town’s history.

The HH CROSSPOT service draws on data about an individual’s urban activities and use of lifestyle services to suggest encounters tailored to their desires, mood, and physical condition. Any activities an individual engages in as a result of these encounters is recorded, and the individual can earn various titles accordingly. For individuals who have acquired high titles, the service will suggest high-level encounters with a correspondingly high level of responsibility.

• HH CROSSPOT presupposes that smartphones of the future will be equipped with an AI of some form—a partner AI, perhaps, or a secretary AI. HH CROSSPOT will be an application installed within this AI.
• The service will also be installed in station staff robots and in digital noticeboards around town; these versions of the service can make suggestions unique to their locales.
• The service AI—which takes on a fairy-like appearance—displays a list of potential encounters via brain-machine interface.

1) Suggests diverse encounters

• HH CROSSPOT not only suggests human-to-human encounters, but also encounters with projects that share the same goals, encounters with hubs for people with the same hobby, and encounters with family members to promote relaxation.

2) Collects data for [future] encounters

• HH CROSSPOT draws on a wide range of data: personal data managed by the government; lifestyle service use data owned by Hankyu Hanshin Holdings; urban activity data; and real-time biometric data supplied by partner AIs. HH CROSSPOT’s own AI analyzes this data to suggest encounters tailored to the individual in that particular time and place.
• Any activities an individual engages in as a result of these encounters is recorded, and used to inform future suggestions for new encounters.
• Individuals can earn various titles depending on their accomplishments in past encounters, so enabling their achievements to be visualized.

3) Safety and security

• HH CROSSPOT has a personal chart calculation function that uses personal data and activity data to enable individuals to interact with strangers in safety.
• In compliance with the Digital Agency’s Information Security Policy, all data on the service is encrypted; this eliminates the risk of personal information leaks.

The public transport of the future will enable safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable travel, and encourage encounters with diverse people, events, and objects. Automated driving technologies, robotics, and AI technologies will result in significant improvements in safety. Public transport will also leverage customer data to encourage various encounters and interactions, and thereby increase its intrinsic value.

Dimensions in line with existing public transport facilities and vehicles

1) Stations

• Stations are focal points for towns, each of which has its own unique culture; station staff and robots communicate with customers, informing them of the town’s history, its stores, and its famous products and residents. Stations function as hubs linking people, events, and objects.
• In emergencies, robots prioritize customer safety.
• Station systems are capable of discerning between different people thanks to a combination of facial recognition technologies and human IC chip implants; this makes it possible to eliminate ticket barriers, and create an entirely hands-free railroad experience. Customers (including their avatars) can also interact with each other.
• Since there are no ticket barriers, there are no boundaries between the station and the town in which it is located.

2) Boarding system

• Recognition technologies enable station systems to discern between different individuals; this makes it possible to eliminate ticket barriers, and create an entirely hands-free railroad experience.
• By recommending diverse services and forms of mobility tailored to meet the needs of different individuals, HH CROSSGATE provides a seamless travel experience.

3) Trains

• Trains are automated and equipped with external sensors; they monitor the state of the railroad facilities while they operate.
• Carriages are equipped with displays and speakers; robots deployed throughout the train attend to customers until they reach their destinations; customers can interact with fellow passengers and travel with greater enjoyment.
• Various carriages will be created to cater to customer aims.
• In normal times, robots converse with customers and respond to their inquiries; in times of emergency, they prioritize customer safety by, for example, providing evacuation guidance.