Feb 17 (NHK) - Telecom giant KDDI is joining hands with Japan Airlines to expand its drone services, as demand for the remote-controlled aircraft grows.
KDDI has been putting more resources into drone-operation systems, leveraging its communications technology. The tie-up will allow KDDI to tap JAL's expertise in managing flight operations.
The two companies are anticipating large numbers of drones flying in the skies over Japan in the near future.
From the next fiscal year starting in April, drone operators in Japan will be allowed to fly the aircraft beyond their line of sight, even when there are people below.
That will free them up for a variety of uses, including logistics.
The companies plan to conduct test flights for transporting goods to remote islands. They will jointly develop services for businesses and local governments that hope to use drones.
KDDI is targeting revenue of 10 billion yen, or more than 80 million dollars, from the drone business in the year through March 2025.
Source: ANNnewsCH
