Aeronext and Prodrone Sign 4D GRAVITY® Technology License Agreement

Prototype of ”PD4B-C”, Prodrone’s dedicated logistics drone equipped with 4D GRAVITY®.

Prodrone Co., Ltd. (Nagoya, Aichi; CEO: Shunsuke Toya, hereinafter “Prodrone”) and Aeronext Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Keisuke Toji, hereinafter “Aeronext”) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a 4D GRAVITY®︎ technology license agreement for the development of industrial drones equipped with Aeronext’s 4D GRAVITY®︎*1 airframe structural design technology, which improves the basic performance of drones, as well as the manufacture and sale of the airframe.

A new logistics drone, the PD4B-Carrier (PD4B-C), was developed by combining this technology from Aeronext with an airframe based on the PRODRONE PD4B-M. The PD4B-C is a logistics drone with offloading and storage functions. With an aerodynamically optimized body structure, the PD4B-C can fly longer and better at high speeds by efficiently generating lift.

Under the license agreement, the two companies will promote the development of new aircraft and contribute to the accelerating expansion of the industrial drone market and the development of the drone industry. 　The prototype of the 4D GRAVITY®-equipped Prodrone’s logistics drone, PD4M-C will be unveiled at the “Next-Generation Mobility Festa in Nisshin” to be held in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture on Monday, February 12, 2024.

*1 Airframe structural design technology 4D GRAVITY®
Airframe structure design technology developed by Aeronext optimizes aerodynamic characteristics by equalizing motor speed regardless of attitude, condition, or movement during flight and controlling lift, drag, and fuselage center of gravity based on fuselage shape and structure to improve the basic performance of industrial drones, such as stability, efficiency, and mobility, and the transportation performance of drones dedicated to logistics. Aeronext has patented this technology and manages it as part of the 4D GRAVITY® patent portfolio. 4D GRAVITY® improves basic performance and opens up new markets and applications for industrial drones.

【About Aeronext Inc.】
With the vision of “new economization of airspace,” Aeronext develops and patents industrial drone technologies and conducts licensing in order to create a world where the sky becomes societal infrastructure and economized, and social issues are resolved with drones. Aeronext’s core technology is 4D GRAVITY®︎, a proprietary structural design technology that optimizes the center of gravity and aerodynamic characteristics to improve the basic performance of industrial drones dedicated to logistics in terms of stability, efficiency, and maneuverability. We have built a strong patent portfolio to make 4D GRAVITY®︎ a standard feature of industrial drones, and are developing a partnership-based platform business globally based on the 4D GRAVITY®︎ license. We have also established a strategic subsidiary, NEXT DELIVERY, to enable new smart logistics SkyHub®︎ utilizing drones and are proactively working on the societal implementation of drone delivery services and commercialization of those services.
*For more information: https://aeronext.com/company/

【About Prodrone Co., Ltd.】
Prodrone is a world-leading developer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company’s compact yet powerful professional UAVs include PDH-GS120, a single-rotor stable drone for long military/remote emergency missions, and PD6B-Type3, a heavy duty / delivery drone that esspecially porpose for emergency situtaion.
Boasting the innovation power represented by its 130 technology patents, Prodrone is constantly pushing the technological limits to rewrite the standards for the UAV industry. Based in Nagoya City in Japan, the company also provides an array of services, including custom-design and assembly, software development, and flight certification.
*For more information: https://www.prodrone.com/about/

*Aeronext, the Aeronext logo, and NEXT DELIVERY, as well as “4D GRAVITY®” “SkyHub®“ are trademarks of Aeronext Inc.
*Other company names and product/service names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.