OtoCheck, Supported by Sagamihara City's Startup Program, Launches Field Trial for Pediatric Otitis Media AI
OtoCheck, selected for the 'GLiS' support program by Kanagawa Prefecture and Sagamihara City, will conduct field trials for its pediatric otitis media detection AI in daycare facilities starting May 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 10:20
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 02:41 (64h 21m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 1, 2026 at 21:15 (18h 34m after Collected)
Kanagawa Prefecture and Sagamihara City are implementing a startup support initiative called the "Greater Linear Startup Network (GLiS)," centered around Hashimoto Station in Sagamihara City, where the planned Kanagawa Station (provisional name) of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen is expected to open. We are pleased to announce that OtoCheck, a company supported under this program in fiscal year 2025, will be conducting field trials within Kanagawa Prefecture.
## Overview of the Field Trial
### Purpose and Summary
- OtoCheck is developing an AI application primarily aimed at detecting ear problems in children.
- Although pediatric otitis media is a disease children experience frequently, it often lacks pain, making it difficult for children to express discomfort, which can lead to delayed diagnosis.
- Therefore, by having children attending daycare facilities and their guardians use this AI application, which supports appropriate medical consultation behavior, the company aims to improve the app's accuracy and measure the effect of reducing the burden on guardians.
### Trial Details
- Trial Locations:
- Mitsubachi Nursery School ~Sunshine~ (1-22-2 Mizonokuchi, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Operated by De-Story Inc.)
- Picnic Nursery (Tai-sei Bldg 507, 3-61 Aioi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Operated by Picnic Room Inc.)
- Duration: 6 months starting from late May 2026.
- Trial Content: For all infants attending the daycare facilities, the trial involves periodically capturing ear drum images using a camera-equipped ear pick and performing AI analysis to visualize the internal condition of the ear. The analysis results will be aggregated, and consultations with medical institutions will be guided based on the findings.
### Future Outlook
Aiming for sale and widespread use as a healthcare service for families with children, the company will continue conducting trials to improve accuracy and convenience.
## Overview of the Field Trial
### Purpose and Summary
- OtoCheck is developing an AI application primarily aimed at detecting ear problems in children.
- Although pediatric otitis media is a disease children experience frequently, it often lacks pain, making it difficult for children to express discomfort, which can lead to delayed diagnosis.
- Therefore, by having children attending daycare facilities and their guardians use this AI application, which supports appropriate medical consultation behavior, the company aims to improve the app's accuracy and measure the effect of reducing the burden on guardians.
### Trial Details
- Trial Locations:
- Mitsubachi Nursery School ~Sunshine~ (1-22-2 Mizonokuchi, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Operated by De-Story Inc.)
- Picnic Nursery (Tai-sei Bldg 507, 3-61 Aioi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Operated by Picnic Room Inc.)
- Duration: 6 months starting from late May 2026.
- Trial Content: For all infants attending the daycare facilities, the trial involves periodically capturing ear drum images using a camera-equipped ear pick and performing AI analysis to visualize the internal condition of the ear. The analysis results will be aggregated, and consultations with medical institutions will be guided based on the findings.
### Future Outlook
Aiming for sale and widespread use as a healthcare service for families with children, the company will continue conducting trials to improve accuracy and convenience.
FAQ
株式会社OtoCheckが実施する実証事業の目的は何ですか？
小児中耳炎の早期発見を支援するAIアプリケーションの精度向上と、保護者の適切な受診行動をサポートし負担を軽減することを目的としています。
実証事業はどこで行われますか？
神奈川県川崎市高津区の「みつばち保育園～Sunshine～」および横浜市中区の「ピクニックナーサリー」の2拠点で実施されます。
実証事業の内容を教えてください。
保育施設に通う全幼児を対象に、耳用カメラ付き耳かきで鼓膜画像を定期的に撮影し、AIで解析して状態を可視化します。結果を集計し、必要に応じて医療機関への相談を案内します。
「GLiS」とはどのようなプログラムですか？
リニア中央新幹線神奈川県駅（仮称）の開業予定地である相模原市橋本を起点とし、スタートアップと地域アセットをつなぐ広域支援ネットワークです。
実証事業の期間はいつからですか？
令和8年5月下旬から開始し、6か月間実施される予定です。