Utilizing drones at disaster sites: Signed a memorandum of understanding with Toyota City regarding drone lending

Recently, PRODRONE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, President and CEO: Masakazu Kono, hereinafter referred to as PRODRONE) and Toyota City (Mayor Toshihiko Ota) have signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the loan of drones in order to proceed with the development of a "firefighting drone." This is the first initiative in Japan (*1) for a local government to lease an aircraft from a private business, use it in firefighting operations, and improve the aircraft. (*1) According to Toyota City Fire Department Headquarters The main function of the aircraft provided this time is information gathering, such as understanding the overall picture of damage. Going forward, PRODRONE will work with the Toyota City Fire Department to go one step beyond collecting information and work on developing an aircraft that can carry out firefighting and rescue operations such as actual firefighting, transporting materials and equipment, and life-saving rescue operations. ■Main features of PRODRONE's loaned drone ・The arm can be extended and retracted to load onto a fire engine ・Full waterproof function for the aircraft (including the camera) ・Ability to transport and drop materials and equipment during rescue operations ・Autonomous flight function with GPS function ■Main roles of Toyota City ・Receive the aircraft free of charge and use it for firefighting activities ・Provide information necessary for improvements based on firefighting activities

At the memorandum signing ceremony. Photo from left: Mr. Toshihiko Ota, Mayor of Toyota, Masakazu Kono, President and Representative Director of Prodrone Co., Ltd. (Courtesy of Yahagi Shinposha)

Demo flight in the rain. Demonstrating the transportation of rescue supplies (provided by Yahagi Shinposha)

Demo flight in the rain. Transmitting images from the camera (provided by Yahagi Shinposha)