First in the Nation: Battery-Powered, Portable System Expanded to Five Locations
24/7 Response to Secondhand Smoke Issues Now Possible
Seocho District in Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) is set to fully implement the "Seocho AI Smoking Zero" project, which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to recognize smoking behavior and encourage smoking cessation, in order to reduce residents' exposure to secondhand smoke and create a smoke-free environment.
Photo of Seocho AI Smoking Zero installed at Seocho 2-dong Jangmi Apartment. Provided by Seocho District.
Existing AI-based secondhand smoke prevention systems operated by some local governments have faced limitations, as they require large-scale budgets and are restricted in terms of installation and mobility. The "Seocho AI Smoking Zero" system introduced by Seocho District has been developed as the first battery-powered model in the country, making it possible to install the system anywhere and relocate it freely as needed.
Seocho District has frequently received complaints related to smoking, as the area is home to large-scale transportation facilities such as Seoul Express Bus Terminal and Nambu Terminal, as well as clusters of office buildings and bars. Although the district currently employs 14 smoking control officers?the highest number among Seoul’s autonomous districts?there have been limitations in effectively monitoring the entire, extensive area due to manpower constraints.
In particular, there have been gaps in enforcement during early morning and nighttime hours. With the introduction of this AI system, Seocho District plans to address secondhand smoke issues 24 hours a day, year-round, without spatial or temporal restrictions.
The "Seocho AI Smoking Zero" signboard is a rectangular box measuring 40cm wide, 18cm deep, and 28cm high, and can be easily installed in any area with frequent complaints. Equipped with a camera that recognizes smoking behavior, it automatically detects smokers within a vertical range of 50 degrees and a horizontal range of 60 degrees, and broadcasts real-time announcements urging people to refrain from smoking.
The system can be installed in various ways?including embedded, fixed, and attached types?making it suitable for locations such as flower beds, the tops of smoking facilities, and curbstones. Its high-visibility design, featuring a yellow and black color scheme, ensures that smokers immediately take notice.
Currently, the signboards are being piloted at three locations: in front of Jangmi Apartment in Seocho 2-dong, in front of Exit 3 of Express Bus Terminal Station, and in front of Seocho Central I-Park. Two additional sites will be selected this month, expanding the total to five locations. In the second half of the year, Seocho District plans to continue upgrading the system and expanding installation sites based on operational results and resident feedback.
This project was initiated after a resident-proposed "smoking warning system" won a special award at the 2023 Seocho District AIoT Smart City Makerthon. The district has since collaborated with the resident on AI deep learning research and design development, and the initiative is regarded as a model example of public-private cooperation.
Seocho District Mayor Jeon Seong-su stated, "I hope the 'Seocho AI Smoking Zero' project will effectively prevent indiscriminate smoking and help reduce residents' exposure to secondhand smoke," adding, "We will continue to do our best to create a smoke-free environment using smart technology."
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