#Japan #Tokyo #Hummingbird #Shinagawa City #Drone School

Hummingbird and Shinagawa City Join Forces for Drone Disaster Response

In a significant move towards enhancing disaster response capabilities, Hummingbird Corporation (based in Shibuya, Tokyo), which operates the Drone School Tokyo, has partnered with Shinagawa City, led by Mayor Kyoko Morisawa. They formalized a collaboration agreement that focuses on utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for support during disasters.

This agreement marks the tenth collaboration within Tokyo, illustrating Hummingbird’s commitment to leveraging its expertise in drone technology to aid in rapid situational assessments and recovery efforts during emergencies. The aim is to ensure a safe and secure living environment for the citizens of Shinagawa.

Significance of the Collaboration

The agreement will enable Hummingbird to deploy drones in various capacities during disaster scenarios. The use of drones is particularly pertinent for Shinagawa due to its unique terrain and urban characteristics. Positioned near the city center, Shinagawa is a densely populated region that experiences risks such as flooding and liquidification in lower areas, particularly near the waterfront and rivers like the Meguro River and the Taiko River.

During large-scale disasters, traditional ground-based assessments can be severely hampered by building collapses and fires. Here, drones can play a critical role by:

• - Rapid Situational Awareness: With drones, emergency responders can assess damage and the state of victims over large areas quickly, even when ground access is obstructed.
• - Monitoring Low-Lying Areas: Drones can observe risk zones like the waterfront and riverbanks in real-time, particularly during potential flooding events without risking the safety of personnel.
• - Evacuation Support: Aerial imagery can assist in confirming safe evacuation routes, identifying isolated individuals, and guiding them to safety without delay.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

Under this partnership, Hummingbird will execute several key support tasks as directed by Shinagawa City, which include:
1. Damage Assessment: Utilizing UAVs to conduct detailed evaluations of destruction within the city immediately after a disaster occurs.
2. Surveying: Carrying out surveying operations with drones to gather essential data necessary for developing recovery and reconstruction plans.
3. Reporting: Providing Shinagawa City with imagery, video, and other relevant information collected through drone assessments to facilitate timely and accurate decision-making.
4. Evacuation Guidance: Assisting in guiding evacuees using drones to ensure their safety during emergencies, preventing secondary disasters and loss of life.

Launch of the Disaster Response Aerial Team: Hachidori

Additionally, starting in 2024, Hummingbird will introduce a specialized unit named the “Disaster Response Aerial Team Hachidori.” This group consists of drone instructors and experienced graduates from the Drone School Tokyo. They will undergo regular training to prepare for real-world disaster scenarios, thus ensuring a pool of specialists ready for deployment when disasters strike.

Recognizing the risk that instructors themselves may be affected by disasters, Hachidori establishes a framework where both instructors and trained graduates can respond in emergencies, enhancing the overall readiness and effectiveness of the response effort.

About Hummingbird Corporation

Hummingbird Corporation, home to Drone School Tokyo, was established with the purpose of harnessing cutting-edge technology and services to unlock the limitless potential of the drone industry while nurturing talent for industrial advancement. Since opening its first commercial drone school in November 2018 at Odaiba, Hummingbird has expanded its reach, opening numerous other locations, including Shibuya and Yokohama, providing quality education in drone operation.

With a strong focus on safety and expertise, Hummingbird conducts training for national UAV pilot certifications, equipping graduates to participate effectively in various sectors utilizing drone technologies.

In conclusion, this collaboration between Hummingbird and Shinagawa City not only enhances disaster preparedness but also signifies a progressive step towards integrating advanced technologies in urban safety and recovery efforts.