Drone Technology, Cutting-Edge Drone Business, and Future Prospects

Abstract

The year 2015 marked the beginning of a new phase in the history of drones in which drones came into use for business purposes in addition to the conventional ones flown for recreational purposes, and the amended Civil Aeronautic Act became effective in the same year. In 2016, full-scale drone businesses including the inspection of infrastructures, measurements, security, and disaster responses are expected to begin. An overview of the rapidly expanding drone business and the attempt to deliver objects using drones in Chiba, which is called the industrial revolution in the sky, are presented in this paper. Next, the technological characteristics of mini-surveyors using domestic, production-model drones are introduced, and the use of mini-surveyors is outlined. Cutting-edge research and overseas trends are also discussed. In addition, the approach of the mini-surveyor consortium and the amended Civil Aeronautic Act are introduced. Finally, the tough robotics challenge of an innovative research and development promotion program ImPACT involving the entire Japan and the future society where drones are spreading are described.