Kyocera ventures into AI-based image recognition to help diagnose skin diseases via smartphone

Kyocera Corporation on Friday announced that its subsidiary, Kyocera Communication Systems Co., Ltd. (KCCS) has started joint research with the University of Tsukuba to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting melanoma and other skin diseases by analyzing digital images of a patient's skin, and aims to commercialize the technology by 2020.

Recent developments in AI, image recognition, and IT infrastructure are facilitating great advances in the ability to analyze digital images. In the medical field, where digital imaging is already an essential diagnostic tool, AI-based image recognition offers revolutionary potential. Diagnosing skin diseases from digital images using AI will offer great advantages over conventional practices, which now often depend on the knowledge and experience of a physician.

In Japan, the number of skin cancer patients has approximately doubled from 1999 through 2014. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has identified AI as a key technology in the healthcare and medical sector. Because skin cancer treatment outcomes are substantially improved by early diagnosis, better diagnostic technologies are in great demand.

KCCS is working with Professor Manabu Fujimoto and Assistant Professor Yasuhiro Fujisawa, both from the Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, to develop an image-recognition system accurate enough to distinguish several types of skin malignancies, including melanoma. The next phase of their project will aim for image-based diagnostic support of any skin disease.

In addition to helping dermatology specialists, AI-based image recognition could allow accurate diagnoses in rural and remote areas lacking a local clinician, using pictures from smartphones or digital cameras to greatly improve healthcare outcomes.

KCCS will bring unique AI-based image-processing expertise accumulated through Labellio - a cloud-based web service. The service allows any user to create a simple "drag-and-drop" image classifier powered by deep learning.

KCCS and the University of Tsukuba will conduct joint research through March 2018, aiming toward a commercial application in the fiscal year ending March 2020. Furthermore, they plan to develop a system capable of identifying more than 2,000 different skin diseases from digital images by combining their respective resources and expertise in the future.