Skydio and KDDI form disaster response partnership

Skydio and Japanese telecommunications company KDDI Corporation have formed an alliance that will create a network of drone stations to support disaster response operations.

Skydio uses real-time spatial awareness using AI image processing. It is designed to enable autonomous flight while automatically avoiding obstacles. The technology is already being used for inspections of infrastructure facilities in Japan such as bridges and steel towers, as well as indoor and outdoor patrols.

The new partnership will use KDDI’s communication technology to help streamline inspection and monitoring operations and quickly collect information in the event of a disaster. Periodic inspection and monitoring of social infrastructure is at risk in Japan due to labour shortages. Large-scale disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons have caused severe damage. In the event of a disaster, it is difficult to arrange work vehicles and equipment to check the damage situation, so drones are expected to be used to quickly check the damage situation and rescue victims.

In addition, KDDI will acquire exclusive sales rights for Skydio products in 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

KDDI is working to expand its drone business as part of its business strategy and is developing technology and data analysis systems.