Demonstration experiment of transporting school books using drones in collaboration with Semboku City and NICT

Prodrone Co., Ltd. (Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, President Masakazu Kono), in collaboration with Semboku City, Akita Prefecture (Mayor Mitsuhiro Kadowaki) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT, Koganei City, Tokyo, Chairman Masao Sakauchi), successfully conducted a demonstration experiment in which unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were used to transport books between schools. This is the first demonstration experiment since Semboku City was designated as a ``Regional Revitalization Special Zone'' in August last year, which aims to revitalize the region through the use of drones.

Video report (Produced by Semboku City Hall/Near Future City Video Project)

Dedicated drone aircraft used in this demonstration experiment

Semboku City has been building a school library network system for several years that allows users to search across the city's elementary and junior high school libraries, but teachers have to transport the books themselves, so the system has rarely been used. Prodrone and NICT have built a drone delivery system linked to this book collection search network system as an application and cloud service on Android terminals and PCs. By implementing next-generation strong encryption security jointly developed with NICT, we conducted this demonstration experiment as a drone delivery system with maximum safety in mind and with an eye on actual operation.

A newly developed drone book delivery management system by Prodrone. Delivery arrangements can be made in conjunction with Semboku City's school book search network.

In order to realize the wish of Mayor Kadowaki of Semboku City, ``I want to utilize the ``Drone Special Zone'' to carry out a project that brings dreams to elementary and junior high school students,'' this delivery experiment was conducted on April 11th. PD6-AW ” (DELIX specification), we have developed a special specification drone equipped with a special case for storing books and an automatic navigation function. The aircraft carried three books (total of approximately 1 kg), including the book ``The Little Prince'', and flew approximately 1.2 km from Saimyoji Elementary School to Saimyoji Junior High School at an altitude of approximately 50 m in approximately 10 minutes.

Drone flying into the schoolyard and landing

Customized based on medium-sized machine PD6-AW

Equipped with a case for storing books at the bottom of the main unit.

Automatic navigation by choosing a safer flight route

We were able to safely deliver the books while the students watched.

The drone was operated by an operator during takeoff and landing, and automatically navigated between schools from 50 meters above the ground. The flight route also avoids private houses, choosing a safer flight route and automatically navigating. The flight was conducted with safety considerations in mind, such as having a constant surveillance vehicle directly below the drone, and when crossing a national highway on the way, the drone hovered above when the surveillance vehicle stopped due to a red light.

Aerial footage from a camera mounted on a drone (simple camera/no gimbal)

After completing this demonstration experiment, we interviewed Mitsuhiro Kadowaki, the mayor of Semboku City.

Semboku City hopes to establish drone transportation in various fields in the future. We will continue to support the city's efforts by utilizing our high-performance and highly safe drone delivery system.■About Prodrone Co., Ltd.Company name: PRODRONE CO., LTD. Representative: Masakazu Kono, President and CEO Head office location: 1-2-10 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093, Hirakawacho Dai-ichi Seimei Building, 1st floor Research and Development Headquarters: 460-0004 16th floor, Sakataneei Building, 2-4 Shineicho, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Website: https://www.prodrone.com/ ■About the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)Website: http://www.nict.go.jp/press/2016/04/12-2.html

Contact information regarding this matter

Prodrone Co., Ltd. Research and Development Headquarters Person in charge: Ichihara/Komatsu info-jp@prodrone.com 16th floor, Sakataneei Building, 2-4 Shineicho, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0004 TEL 052-950-1278 FAX 052-950-1277