#Japan #Tokyo #Liberaware #KDDI Smart Drone #Project SPARROW

Project SPARROW Achieves TRL 5

In an exciting recent development, Liberaware, in collaboration with CalTa and KDDI Smart Drone, announced that their cutting-edge initiative, Project SPARROW, has successfully reached Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5). This significant milestone indicates the project's readiness to transition to the next stage of practical implementation, moving toward TRL 6 and beyond.

Overview of Project SPARROW

Project SPARROW is set to revolutionize railway inspections and emergency situation management through the deployment of autonomous drones. These specialized drones will facilitate inspections, data collection, and facility monitoring, thereby enhancing both safety and productivity in railway infrastructure maintenance. Particularly beneficial for regional rail lines affected by population decline, the project aims to reduce recovery time and bolster operational resilience during disaster incidents.

Furthermore, this initiative is supported by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, focusing on developing and validating technologies that contribute to safer public transportation systems. The project received a substantial subsidy of 5.2 billion yen to advance its goals.

Significance of Reaching TRL 5

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework is a globally recognized index that measures a technology's maturity. Achieving TRL 5 signifies that the integrated system has undergone verification in conditions that closely resemble real-world scenarios. Notable accomplishments include:

• - Railway-Adapted Drones (Liberaware): Drones can now amend their flight paths in response to operational instructions, safely maneuvering and returning as directed.
• - Operational Management System (KDDI Smart Drone): The successful establishment of functions for setting planned routes, issuing avoidance commands, and directing returns.
• - Digital Twin Platform (CalTa): A feature that enables live monitoring of drone positions and playback of recorded footage via digital twin technology.

With TRL 6 on the horizon, the focus will shift to the development of systems that meet the practical demands of railway operators, paving the way toward on-site applications in TRL 7.

Development Schedule

The timeline for future advancements will be crucial as Project SPARROW continually addresses the evolving challenges of infrastructure management, striving for efficient and sustainable solutions.

Company Profiles

CalTa Co., Ltd.

CalTa is pivotal in promoting the digital transformation of infrastructure sectors, particularly railways. Their proprietary digital twin platform, TRANCITY, enables enhanced infrastructure management and offers solutions that address challenges across various industries, including manufacturing and plant management.

• - CEO: Tetsu Takatsu
• - Location: Takawana, Minato, Tokyo
• - Founded: July 1, 2021
• - Website: calta.co.jp

KDDI Smart Drone Co., Ltd.

KDDI Smart Drone focuses on enabling secure remote and long-distance drone operations using 4G LTE technology. Their services span diverse fields such as inspection, monitoring, and logistics, catering to various customer needs swiftly and effectively. They also operate the KDDI Smart Drone Academy, offering specialized training for drone pilots.

• - Website: kddi.smartdrone.co.jp

Liberaware, Inc.

Liberaware is on a mission to create a safer society through innovative drone technology targeted at inspection and measurement in confined, hazardous indoor environments. Their pioneering solutions include developing compact drones and providing data analysis services for efficient infrastructure maintenance.

• - CEO: Hong-kyu Min
• - Location: Chuo, Chiba
• - Founded: August 22, 2016
• - Website: liberaware.co.jp

As Project SPARROW continues to make strides towards practical applications, the collaboration among these companies exemplifies the commitment to innovation, safety, and resilience in rail infrastructure management.