Conducting a long-term commercialization study on “new smart logistics” using drones in Shinshiro City – Part of the “Aichi Mobility Innovation Project” –

Logistics-specific drone PD4BM-AN (front) and AirTruck (back) used in this demonstration

Aichi Prefecture (Governor: Hideaki Omura), Shinshiro City (Mayor: Hiroyuki Shimoe), NEXT DELIVERY Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, Representative Director: Keisuke Taji, hereinafter referred to as NEXT DELIVERY), Green Service Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita Ward, Nagoya City, Representative Director and President: Matsui) Seigo, hereinafter referred to as Green Service), Prodrone Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya City, President and CEO: Shunsuke Toya, hereinafter referred to as Prodrone), Seino Holdings Co., Ltd. (Head office: Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, Representative Director and President: Yoshitaka Taguchi, hereinafter referred to as Seino HD), Aichi Higashi Agricultural Cooperative (Head office: Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture, Chairman of the Board of Directors: Fumitaka Unno, hereinafter referred to as Seino Holdings) JA Aichi Higashi) has begun a demonstration experiment in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture to investigate the long-term commercialization of "New Smart Logistics" *1 using logistics drones, and released the results to the press on Friday, November 28, 2025.

This demonstration experiment is an initiative of the Aichi Mobility Innovation Project, which aims to accelerate the social implementation of next-generation air mobility such as drones and flying cars, and examines the possibility of introducing ``New Smart Logistics''*1, which combines ``package aggregation,'' which aims to combine products from multiple shippers and deliver them to the same destination, and ``drone logistics,'' which is expected to speed up deliveries and reduce costs.

"New Smart Logistics" involves setting up a drone depot to serve as a cargo aggregation base, consolidating products from logistics companies and local retailers, and then efficiently delivering them by land and air.In this demonstration experiment, NEXT DELIVERY and Green Service, a local delivery company, will take the lead. In addition, Seino HD will be responsible for building the foundation and considering optimization of logistics through joint delivery and consolidation of existing logistics.

In the future, by confirming the possibility of local governments and businesses collaborating as in this case and establishing an operation system by local delivery companies, it is expected that the social implementation of ``drone logistics'' and ``new smart logistics'' that utilize drones will accelerate in the region.

Group photo by representatives in front of the logistics drone PD4B-M-AN and AirTruck

Aisatsu transportation staff hands delivery baggage (dummy) to green service staff (A Coop Sakude store parking lot)

Staff loading luggage together in front of the Drone Depot® in the A Coop Sakude store parking lot.

Green service staff loading luggage into the logistics drone “AirTruck” (A Coop Sakude store parking lot)

AirTruck taking off (A Coop Sakude store parking lot)

Keisuke Taji, CEO of NEXT DELIVERY, explains the remote operation from Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, and the live footage from AirTruck's onboard camera.

[Overview of demonstration experiment]

1. Background and purposeIn May 2023, Aichi Prefecture launched the "Aichi Mobility Innovation Project 'Aichi Model 2030 Connecting Sky and Roads'" (hereinafter referred to as the "Project") as the first public-private partnership project based on the "Innovative Business Creation Strategy."
This project aims to speed up the social implementation of next-generation air mobility such as drones and flying cars, as well as building the Aichi Model, a new mobility society created through simultaneous control with land mobility such as self-driving cars, and promoting initiatives aimed at turning next-generation air mobility into a core industry.

The "Promotion Plan" formulated in February 2024 calls for the realization of logistics services using routes in river basins and between mainland and remote islands as a launch model in the "logistics" field, targeted for around fiscal 2026.
In FY2024, we conducted a demonstration experiment in the Horai area of ​​Shinshiro City to provide residents with a delivery service using logistics drones for about a month, and identified issues such as limiting delivery weight based on the performance of the drone, last-mile delivery to the receiver after landing, and establishing an operation for fee collection.

In this survey, we will create more effective case studies by implementing operations that contribute to problem solving and by basing the content on residents' needs.2. Implementation details

■Purpose and contentAiming to socially implement new smart logistics in the region, we are implementing initiatives that will contribute to consolidating cargo, building a drone delivery operation system, and improving residents' acceptability of drone delivery.

■Implementation periodScheduled for approximately one month from November 17, 2025 (Monday) to December 19, 2025 (Friday).

■Number of flightsMaximum of 5 flights per day (unless affected by weather etc.)

■Aircraft usedTwo logistics drones are used: PD4B-M-AN*2 and AirTruck*3. The AirTruck used in the flight during the press release on November 28th. PD4B-M-AN is a logistics drone jointly developed by Prodrone and Aeronext, the parent company of NEXT DELIVERY, and this will be its first actual flight.

■Drone operation method and systemRemote operation management is carried out by NEXT DELIVERY from Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. On-site aircraft management and assistant work will be carried out by Green Service. Both parties will work together to conduct flights using autonomous remote navigation. Specific implementation details: ``Drone Depot®'', a base where various cargo is collected, will be set up on the premises of A Coop Sakudeten. Orders from A Corp's e-commerce store (approximately 100 items) will be delivered by truck or drone. With drone delivery, customers can place items they have purchased in-store in special boxes themselves and request delivery. There are six drone stands (delivery pickup locations) in the Sakude area of ​​Shinshiro City. Shipping charges are free as this is a demonstration experiment.

■Role of each company・Aichi Prefecture: Project owner

・Shinshiro City: Providing a venue for demonstration experiments, regional coordination

・NEXT DELIVERY: Remote operation and overall management of flight operations

・Green service: Local flight operations, general local support

・Prodrone: Provision of logistics-only drone PD4B-M-AN

・Seino HD: Consideration of joint delivery and logistics consolidation in new smart logistics

・Aichi Higashi Agricultural Cooperative: Providing retail functions and Drone Depot® location

Mr. Katsuyuki Takeshita, a local resident, received the A Coop order and delivery package (dummy) delivered by drone.

[Flight during press release on November 28th]Aisetsu Transport Co., Ltd. (a Seino HD affiliated company) delivered the package (a dummy intended for home delivery) by land to the Drone Depot® installed on the premises of A Coop Sakudeten. At Drone Depot®, one of the packages was combined with an item ordered by A Corp that was delivered to the same destination, and delivered by drone. The remote operation of the drone was carried out by NEXT DELIVERY from Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, and the local assistant duties were carried out by Green Service, who flew the drone from A Corp. Sakudeten to Tashiro Elderly Ikoi's House (about 25 minutes by car on a curvy mountain road), a distance of about 5.6 km and about 13 minutes one way, and delivered the cargo. Katsuyuki Takeshita, a local resident who received the package via drone, commented, ``When it rains heavily, the area becomes isolated due to landslides and road closures, so it would be helpful to have a drone transport food, medical supplies, etc.''

In the future, with the aim of promoting understanding among local residents and contributing to the resolution of local issues, we will continue to consider the social implementation of new smart logistics in the region that utilizes next-generation advanced technology such as drones and combines drone delivery and land transportation.


*This demonstration experiment was adopted as a public proposal for Aichi Prefecture's "Aichi Mobility Innovation Project 'Aichi Model 2030 Connecting Sky and Roads' Logistics Drone Social Implementation Model Promotion Project".


*1 New smart logistics
Using digital technology and technology, we explore solutions to the common challenges faced by the logistics industry, such as labor shortages, environmental and energy issues, and DX response.We aim to make logistics, which is an essential infrastructure for people's lives, sustainable into the future.In particular, we promote efficiency in regional logistics and solve problems in local communities. The aim is to consider and realize joint last-mile delivery, the best mix of ground transportation by car and air transportation by drone, phase-free logistics including disaster response, cargo/passenger consolidation, automation technology, etc., in accordance with local conditions and needs, through co-creation through an open public platform (O.P.P.) that transcends boundaries between the public and private sectors, and within and outside the industry.

*2 Logistics drone “PD4B-M-AN”
A new type of logistics drone announced in September 2025 jointly developed by Aeronext, the parent company of NEXT DELIVERY, and Prodrone. This is a model that combines Prodrone's general-purpose aircraft PD4B-M with a newly developed container for transporting cargo equipped with 4D GRAVITY®*4.It is a compact, waterproof aircraft designed specifically for logistics with excellent stability, operability, and maneuverability.
(Specifications and details are here See. )

*3 Logistics-specific drone “AirTruck”
A mass-produced logistics drone from Japan jointly developed by Aeronext and ACSL. Stable flight is achieved using Aeronext's unique aircraft structure design technology 4D GRAVITY®*4. It is a ``Faster, Farther, and More Stable'' logistics aircraft that was developed specifically for logistics use, with cargo being optimally placed near the aircraft's ideal center of gravity, and with a cargo horizontal and top-loading/lowering mechanism, optimal usability for logistics, specializing in one-way forward movement, and aerodynamic characteristics necessary for long-distance flights. In Japan, it has a top-class flight record by flying in various demonstration areas and demonstration experiments, and overseas, it has a flight record in Mongolia at an altitude of 1,300 meters and an outside temperature of -15 degrees Celsius (November 2023). Maximum flight distance 20km, payload (maximum payload) 5kg.
(Specifications and details are here )

*4 Airframe structural design technology 4D GRAVITY®
This is an aircraft structure design technology developed by Aeronext that improves the basic performance of industrial drones such as stability, efficiency, and maneuverability, as well as the transportation performance of logistics drones, by optimizing aerodynamic characteristics by equalizing the motor rotation speed regardless of the attitude, condition, and operation during flight, and controlling lift, drag, and center of gravity based on the shape and structure of the aircraft. Aeronext has patented this technology and manages it as the 4D GRAVITY® patent portfolio. Improved basic performance with 4D GRAVITY® will expand the possibilities for industrial drones to be used in new markets and applications.

*5 Drone Depot®
A warehouse that connects land logistics and drone logistics and serves as a base for collecting and delivering cargo. It plays the core of a system that temporarily stores packages brought in by multiple logistics companies and delivers them via drone to the nearest drone stand (delivery destination pick-up location).[What is Shinshiro City]In August 2020, we collaborated with neighboring Toyokawa City, related organizations, and private companies to create new industries that support the future of the region and resolve issues faced by mountainous regions. “Higashi Mikawa Drone/River Concept Promotion Council” was launched. We are promoting efforts to implement drones in society through public-private collaboration. We are collaborating with the government and the private sector, leveraging their respective areas of expertise, to explore the potential of drones to address various issues such as logistics, disaster response, and labor saving. [What is NEXT DELIVERY Co., Ltd.] A strategic subsidiary of Aeronext, whose main business is drone delivery, was established in Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture in 2021, based on the Aeronext Group's mission: "Towards a world where affluence spreads to every corner with new social infrastructure in an era of 100-year lifespans." We are promoting the planning, operation, and nationwide expansion of SkyHub®, a new smart logistics system that is a new social infrastructure that connects existing logistics and drone logistics, jointly developed and deployed by Aeronext and Seino HD.We are also developing peripheral businesses such as the development, sales, operation, and maintenance of hardware and software related to joint delivery and drone delivery. Starting with Kosuge Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, we are working to improve the efficiency of regional logistics and solve problems in local communities throughout the country, including Kamishihoro Town in Hokkaido and Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture. [What is Green Service Co., Ltd.] Green Service Co., Ltd. was established in 1993 as a transportation and delivery company specializing in pharmaceutical logistics.
In recent years, our company has been putting particular effort into introducing next-generation logistics using drones. Pharmaceutical delivery requires ``safe and stable supply'' with a high level of expertise such as ``accuracy'' and ``temperature control.'' Drones have great potential as a new delivery method to meet these demands. In addition to existing land delivery, Green Services is working to create a system that can provide new value by utilizing "air routes" to provide a stable supply of medicines in times of disaster, rapid delivery of medicines to local medical institutions, and shorter lead times through increased efficiency. [What is Prodrone Co., Ltd.] With the vision of "becoming the most trusted drone company in the region," we aim to build a drone ecosystem in the Chubu region. We provide a one-stop service for everything from development to production of industrial drones, including the PD6B-Type3 multicopter, which has started mass production with a maximum recommended payload of 20kg, and the Prodrone GT-M, which can fly long distances (100km tested). [What is Seino Holdings Co., Ltd.] Seino Holdings provides one-stop value with a focus on logistics, including finance, human resources, procurement, and other areas surrounding logistics. In order to contribute to the prosperity of our customers, we aim to be a corporate group that goes beyond logistics to connect hearts and bring smiles and happiness to everyone. Currently, under the slogan "Team Green Logistics" and with the overall strategy of developing an open public platform (O.P.P.) that transcends the boundaries of industries and companies, we are taking on the challenge of co-creating "Green Logistics" that realizes the optimization of sustainable logistics networks in order to solve the social issues facing Japan, such as the declining birthrate, aging population, and environmental issues. In the last mile field, we are actively promoting the construction of a "last one mile O.P.P. that solves social issues" as a measure for people who are vulnerable to shopping and poor families, in line with changes in the lifestyle and structure of society as a whole. As part of these activities, we are promoting the new smart logistics platform SkyHub® across the country, with a focus on regional logistics aggregation and joint delivery, and in this demonstration, we were responsible for considering logistics operations for regional implementation.
*Open Public Platform (O.P.P.)
A concept to build a logistics platform that is open and can be used by anyone, both inside and outside the company and regardless of industry differences, to improve efficiency and value for each platform user, and to contribute to industry, the environment, and daily life as an infrastructure.[What is Aichi Higashi Agricultural Cooperative?]Aichi Higashi Agricultural Cooperative is located in the northeastern part of Aichi Prefecture, a hilly and mountainous area bordering Nagano Prefecture to the north and Shizuoka Prefecture to the east. The area within the jurisdiction occupies one-fifth of the prefecture, but more than 85% of it is forest, and only 3.8% is farmland. Taking advantage of the hilly and mountainous climate, including the difference in temperature between day and night, the area is actively cultivated, mainly rice and livestock, as well as fruit trees and vegetables. Among these, the area is particularly active in the production of cherry tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and strawberries. We are responsible for comprehensive regional businesses such as financial mutual aid business, farming business, lifestyle business, and store business.