In a groundbreaking demonstration, KDDI Corporation and Japan Airlines (JAL) have successfully tested a multi-drone system designed for disaster relief operations. This innovative test marks a significant milestone in the “Realization Project for the Social Implementation of Next-Generation Air Mobility” (ReAMo Project), promoted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
The Demonstration
The test took place in the Yoshida area of Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture. A single operator, located in Tokyo, remotely controlled three drones simultaneously to deliver disaster relief supplies and food over a distance of nearly 60 miles (approximately 95 kilometers)1. This demonstration was conducted under Level 3.5 flight conditions, which allow for operation without ground-based assistants, provided certain safety conditions are met, such as pedestrian visibility from the drone’s onboard camera1.
Technological Integration
KDDI and KDDI Smart Drone Corporation combined their jointly-developed flight control system with JAL’s extensive safety know-how and experience in the aviation industry1. The drones used in the test featured a maximum flight speed of 60 km/h, a flight time of approximately 35 minutes, and a payload capacity of up to 30 kg1. This successful integration showcases the potential for safe and efficient one-to-many drone operations.
Future Implications
The insights gained from this demonstration will be instrumental in promoting new regulatory frameworks for one-to-many drone operations. KDDI and JAL aim to commercialize and deploy these operations effectively, addressing various social issues such as logistics crises, labor shortages, and disaster response2. The ReAMo Project continues to push the boundaries of air mobility, aiming for safer and more efficient implementations of drone technology in the future1.
This successful test not only highlights the technological advancements in drone operations but also underscores the collaborative efforts required to achieve such milestones. As KDDI and JAL continue to develop and validate their systems, the future of disaster relief and other critical operations looks promising with the integration of multi-drone systems.
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