Delivered on February 23, 2026
"A Data Scientist on the Move": Long-Distance EV Travel, Local Experience, and Data Analysis
Speakers:
Akira Hanai, Managing Partner, Pluteus LLC
Affiliation and position information is as of the time of distribution
Mr. Hanai, CEO of Proteus LLC, is here! As "the self-proclaimed data scientist with the most driving experience in Japan," he drives approximately 60,000 km a year in his EV, traveling between his bases in Hokkaido and Fukuoka. He explores his analytical style, experiencing the local atmosphere and even the movements of people, to ensure "data is accurate." He talks about his work style, which requires 30 minutes of EV charging, the reality of driving range in cold climates, Tesla's rental car business and collecting location and vehicle data using APIs, his plans for analyzing tourist behavior and charging data, and his outlook for participating in local government projects.
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Japan's No. 1 Data Scientist Driving by Cars: An Advanced Fusion of On-Site Experience and Location Data
At the forefront of the location information business, the question of how to derive accurate insights from massive amounts of digital data is a constant challenge. Our guest, Akitake Hanai, CEO of Pluteus LLC, calls himself "Japan's No. 1 Data Scientist Driving by Cars" and is a unique analyst who travels around the country, driving approximately 60,000 kilometers per year. Behind his activities, which involve driving to and from offices scattered throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Fukuoka, lies a unique philosophy of striving to maximize the accuracy of data science.
Hanai's main reason for using a car for long-distance travel is the opportunity to experience the "local atmosphere" he experiences during the journey. Information such as seasonal changes, the unique scents of a place, and the subtle movements and energy of people can never be fully captured through quantified log data alone. For example, even if data indicates high traffic volume at a particular location, actually visiting the location allows us to get a firsthand feel for the characteristics of the people and their objectives. This on-site process allows us to ask project managers and clients fundamental questions about the analysis results: "The data shows this, but does it deviate from reality?" Combining digital analysis with analog, real-life experience brings data to life. This is the core of Pluteus' data analysis support.
Behavioral change brought about by electric vehicles (EVs) and the establishment of an efficient work style
Hanai's extensive travels are supported by electric vehicles (EVs), such as Tesla. Long-distance travel in an EV requires frequent charging for around 30 minutes. However, rather than viewing this time as a "constraint," he uses it as highly effective "focused work time." The 30 minutes spent in the quiet, private space of a car while charging, allowing you to complete tasks and organize your thoughts, is an ideal mental switch for tasks that require high levels of concentration, such as data analysis and systems development.
Meanwhile, Hanai also analyzes issues often cited as obstacles to the widespread adoption of EVs, such as "driving range" and "winter battery performance," with the level-headed perspective of a data scientist. While it's true that batteries drain faster in cold regions like Hokkaido than in summer, he points out that this can be solved with the same approach as smartphone battery management. If people adopt a "behavioral change" of frequently charging their cars between trips and in their daily lives, rather than trying to charge them from 0% to 100% all at once, range concerns for many users should be alleviated. Creating an environment where users can more easily check their vehicle's status and plan their next steps, rather than relying solely on manufacturer-specific apps, is key to realizing a smart mobility society.
EV Rental Business Based in Abira Town, Hokkaido, and Next-Generation Tourism Analysis Using APIs
One of Pluteus's core business pillars is its Tesla-only rental car business in Hokkaido. This business goes beyond simple vehicle rentals and serves as a new model for location-based businesses. Abira Town, where the company is based, is a key transportation hub adjacent to Tomakomai City and other areas, yet until now, there had been almost no Tesla rental cars in the prefecture. To meet the needs of tourists wanting to rent EVs, Mr. Hanai secured the land himself, developed the infrastructure, and launched the business.
The most distinctive feature of this rental car business is that, with the user's permission, detailed location information and vehicle logs are collected and analyzed through Tesla's API. Traditional tourism analysis typically relies on post-trip surveys to obtain fragmented information about where a visitor visited. However, using driving logs, objective and continuous behavioral data can be obtained, such as the route taken and the amount of time spent there.
Once the project began, the data revealed unexpected demand, not only from tourists as initially anticipated, but also from local residents of Abira Town and Tomakomai, who wanted to experience the latest EV performance. The accumulation of this real-world driving data has the potential to directly contribute to evidence-based regional revitalization measures, such as optimal charging infrastructure placement plans and proposing new tourist routes that avoid congestion.
Evidence-Based Support for the Realization of Smart Cities and a Decarbonized Society
Hanai and Pluteus envision a future in which this on-site data and analytical technology can be used to solve social issues. Looking ahead, they plan to actively participate in smart city projects and decarbonization (carbon neutrality) initiatives promoted by local governments.
Local government projects require more than simply implementing a system and collecting data; the quality of decision-making—the actions to be derived from that data—is crucial. Hanai personally hops on public transportation to observe the flow of people in the area. Data scientists personally conduct on-site verification to ensure collected logs are free of bias and truly address local issues, enabling more accurate consulting.
The rental car business, which currently started with one vehicle, aims to expand its fleet and collect more scarce driving and charging data. By extracting insights into foot traffic not only to famous tourist destinations but also to nearby areas with potential attractions, the company aims to help maximize the potential of each region. The challenges faced by data scientists, who know the atmosphere on-site better than anyone, highlight the importance of "communicating with reality," something we must never forget in the data-driven society of the future.
Summary
This discussion made it clear that the true value of location data lies in the fusion of advanced analytical algorithms and primary information obtained on-site. Akitake Hanai of Pluteus LLC is personally behind the wheel, experiencing sites across the country to interpret the "people's lives" and "local context" behind digital log data.
In particular, rental car businesses that use EVs as a mobile platform for collecting data enable detailed behavioral analysis that would be impossible with traditional survey methods. The data obtained here, on driving range, charging behavior, and people flow, provides powerful evidence for building smart cities, realizing a decarbonized society, and promoting local tourism.
Hanai's approach of "walking the ground and believing in the data" is an essential element for ensuring that data analysis does not end up as mere desk calculations, but has the effectiveness to move society forward. Going forward, great attention will be focused on how Pluteus will deepen its collaboration with local governments and companies and implement new insights backed by on-the-ground experience into society.