#Japan #NEDO #Hamamatsu #Drone Route #Digital Lifeline

NEDO's Initiative on Digital Lifelines

In a significant move towards advancing drone technology and digital infrastructure in Japan, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has approved a collaborative project titled "Digital Lifeline Infrastructure Development/Digital Drone Routes." This initiative involves nine key players in the tech and education sectors, including Grid Skyway LLP, Intent Exchange Inc., KDDI Smart Drone, Trajectory Inc., the University of Tokyo, Hitachi Ltd., NTT Data, NEC Corporation, and the Space Service Innovation Lab Cooperative.

Scheduled to be executed from September 2025 to March 2026, this project aims to address pressing societal issues such as population decline, labor shortages, and the increasing frequency of major disasters. The focus is on rapidly constructing a digital lifeline through the digitization of the real world, which will lay down the framework necessary for the integration of drone technology into everyday logistics and infrastructure management.

Project Goals and Developments

2024 Drone Route Setup

In the initial rollout, approximately 180 kilometers of drone routes will be implemented over the Tenryu River in Hamamatsu and an additional 150 kilometers will span across the Chichibu region's power transmission lines. These routes will serve as the foundation for future nationwide and global expansion efforts involving drone technology.

Key Objectives

The initiative aims to establish several outputs, primarily:
1. Mutual Access Methods: Developing commercial-grade methods for mutual access along drone routes will ensure direct operations over rivers and power lines while also implementing an air mobility data space.
2. Compliance Assessment: A scheme for evaluating compliance concerning drone route registrations will be created alongside Proofs of Concept (PoC) to showcase the feasibility of operational processes.
3. Logistics Operations: Requirements for logistics usage of drone routes above power lines will be determined, facilitating real-world operations.
4. Efficiency Improvements: By utilizing drone footage, the project aims to enhance the efficiency and precision of river inspections.

Innovative Strategies

To achieve its objectives, the project includes several strategic initiatives:

• - Advance the drone route system to allow for multiple operators to share airspace effectively.
• - Establish an Air Mobility Data Space that is linked with the Uranus Ecosystem to streamline data exchange and collaboration.
• - Explore regulatory measures and strategies for international standardization, aiming at global expansion of the developed routes.
• - Conduct demonstrations of mutual drone route access and engage in international standardization efforts to propel the project into a global marketplace.

The approved project reflects Japan’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to cope with its socio-economic challenges while promoting innovative solutions in the field of air mobility. As the project proceeds, it is anticipated that not only will it enhance logistical capabilities, but it will also set an example for future infrastructure rehabilitation in other regions.

For more information about this initiative, interested parties can reach out to the respective organizations involved, including Grid Skyway LLP and KDDI Smart Drone, among others.

This project is expected to pave the way for a smarter and more efficient approach to both logistics and emergency response in Japan, ensuring that technology is directly aligned with the modern needs of society.