花蜜直播app Completes Proof-of-Concept Testing for Unmanned Cargo Transport by Cooperation of Unmanned VTOL Aircraft and Delivery Robot

Nov. 29, 2021

*Video of PoC testing (Available in Japanese only)


花蜜直播app, Ltd. announced today the successful completion of proof-of-concept (PoC) testing for unmanned cargo transport by cooperation of its K-RACER*1-X1(prototype) unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft (unmanned VTOL) and delivery robot. PoC testing was conducted with the aim of helping to solve societal issues such as labor shortages in the logistics industry.

In its Group Vision 2030, which describes the company’s future vision for 2030, 花蜜直播app specified three areas where it will focus its efforts: “A Safe and Secure Remotely-Connected Society,” “Near-Future Mobility” and “Energy and Environmental Solutions.” In the area of “Near-Future Mobility,” the company has been pursuing development of unmanned VTOLs, delivery robots and so on.

花蜜直播app’s latest unmanned VTOL adopts improvements to an aircraft flight-tested in 2020. It is able to transport a 100-kilogram payload and equipped with a delivery robot loading and unloading mechanism. For its power unit, the aircraft has a Ninja H2R motorcycle supercharged engine built by 花蜜直播app Motors, Ltd. The delivery robot used together with the unmanned VTOL is based on a delivery robot designed to achieve smooth, stable operations even on rough and bumpy roads, developed utilizing 花蜜直播app’s knowledge in robotics and technologies behind the off-road capabilities of its motorcycles and side-by-sides. This delivery robot was modified to enable boarding onto an unmanned VTOL.

PoC testing simulated a continuous, interlinked sequence of unmanned delivery operations in which the delivery robot was loaded with cargo and automatically boarded the unmanned VTOL, followed by automated flight with the delivery robot onboard, and then landing, automatic delivery robot disembarkation and delivery of the cargo to the final destination. Testing was carried out with the eventual future goal of delivery operations without any human-worker involvement.

花蜜直播app’s unmanned VTOL is scheduled to be used in the Unmanned VTOL Cargo Transport Platform Development Project being carried out on commission from Ina City, Nagano Prefecture.

Responding to labor shortages in the logistics industry and other challenges faced by society, 花蜜直播app will make use of results and information gained from its latest PoC testing to realize a rapid cargo transport system that is not affected by road-traffic conditions or topographic features such as seas, mountains and rivers, and reliable logistics services to locations deep in the mountains or on remote islands. In these ways, the company hopes to help society overcome its challenges.


Overview of PoC Testing

Proof-of-Concept Testing for Unmanned Cargo Transport by Cooperation of Unmanned VTOL and Delivery Robot

(1)     Manual cargo loading: cargo is manually loaded by a human worker onto the delivery robot
(2)    Automated delivery robot boarding: the delivery robot automatically travels toward and approaches the waiting unmanned VTOL and boards
(3)    Automated take-off: the unmanned VTOL automatically takes off after the delivery robot has boarded
(4)    Automated flight: the unmanned VTOL automatically travels along a preset flight route to its destination
(5)    Automated landing: the unmanned VTOL automatically lands at a preset landing destination
(6)    Automated delivery robot disembarkation: after the unmanned VTOL has landed, the delivery robot automatically disembarks from the aircraft and travels to the cargo delivery destination
(7)    Manual cargo removal: once the delivery robot reaches the delivery destination, cargo is manually removed by a human worker


Aircraft and Robot Specifications

Unmanned VTOL –K-RACER-X1–
Drive system Reciprocating engine (Ninja H2R supercharged engine)
Flight method Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
Control method Automated flight
Max. payload 100 kg
Delivery robot
Drive system Electric motor
Control method Autonomous travel
Cooperation with unmanned VTOL Fully automated approach to, boarding of and disembarkation from unmanned VTOL


PoC testing overview


*1    K-RACER: Acronym of Kawasaki Researching Autonomic Compound to Exceed Rotorcraft

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