On December 2nd, Seino Holdings unveiled the results of a demonstration experiment conducted in collaboration with Aichi Prefecture, Shinshiro City, NEXT DELIVERY, Green Service, Prodrone, and Aichi Higashi Agricultural Cooperative.
<Group photo of representatives>
The experiment, conducted in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture, is a survey aimed at the long-term commercialization of "new smart logistics" utilizing logistics drones. It will run for approximately one month, from November 17th to December 19th. This is part of the "Aichi Mobility Innovation Project," which aims to accelerate the social implementation of next-generation aerial mobility such as drones.
Through this demonstration experiment, we will explore the feasibility of introducing a "new smart logistics" system that combines "cargo consolidation," which aims to consolidate goods from multiple shippers and deliver them to the same destination, with "drone logistics," which is expected to enable faster delivery and cost reduction.
The "New Smart Logistics" system involves setting up drone depots to serve as aggregation hubs for goods, consolidating products from logistics companies and local retailers, and then efficiently distributing them by land and air. In this demonstration experiment, NEXTDELIVERY and Green Service, a local delivery company, will take the lead, while Seino HD will be responsible for building the infrastructure and exploring logistics optimization through joint delivery and aggregation of existing logistics.
<Scene of loading cargo onto the "AirTruck" drone, which is designed specifically for logistics>
In May 2023, Aichi Prefecture launched the "Aichi Mobility Innovation Project 'Aichi Model 2030: Connecting the Sky and Roads'" as the first public-private partnership project based on its "Innovative Business Creation Strategy." In fiscal year 2024, a demonstration experiment was conducted in the Horai area of Shinshiro City, providing residents with a delivery service utilizing logistics drones for approximately one month.
During this process, challenges were identified, including limitations on delivery weight due to drone performance, and the establishment of last-mile delivery and fee collection operations after landing.
This study will involve conducting experiments with operations that contribute to solving problems, and by incorporating content based on residents' needs, we aim to create more effective case studies.
<Image of "AirTruck" taking off>
In the experiment, NEXT DELIVERY will remotely manage the aircraft from Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. Green Service will handle on-site aircraft management and support staff duties.
The aircraft to be used are the PD4B-M-AN and AirTruck, both dedicated logistics drones. The 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.
The route used for the flight conducted on November 28th was a mountain road that normally takes about 25 minutes by car. This route was completed in about 13 minutes using a remotely operated drone.
Katsuyuki Takeshita, a local resident who received a package by drone, commented, "When it rains heavily, roads become closed due to landslides and we become isolated, so it's a great help to have food and medical supplies delivered by drone."
