Aero Development Japan raises series A round funding for the development of mass-produced hybrid power system for heavy-duty and long-distance transport drones

Until now, most drones have been small machines with a total weight of 25 kg or less, and their applications have been limited to surveying, aerial photography, and inspection. Under such circumstances, expectations are rising for the practical application of large drones that enable heavy goods and long-distance transportation, and for flying cars (hereinafter referred to as "UAM" = Urban Air Mobility), mainly in Europe and the United States. The trend has spread to Japan, and it is said that in 2022, legislation will be developed at once to realize the flight of large drones over non-visual and manned areas. On the other hand, the power source is said to be the bottleneck for the practical application of large drones. Most of the existing drones use lithium-ion batteries, but the current lithium-ion battery has a power generation amount (kWh / kg) per unit weight, which is not large enough for large drone applications, and it is trying to extend the flight time. Then, the payload (loading weight) becomes smaller, and if you try to make the payload larger, the flight time will be shorter. In order for heavy drones to fly for a long time, it is required to develop a power source with a larger amount of power generation per unit weight.

Therefore, ADJ is developing a hybrid power unit that combines a gas turbine and a small generator. This approach of driving a generator by rotating a gas turbine at high speed (90 to 100,000 revolutions per minute) can increase the amount of electricity generated per unit weight. It is calculated that the ADJ hybrid power unit can exceed 1kWh / kg, while the amount of power generated per unit weight of a general lithium-ion battery is about 0.2 to 0.25kWh / kg (our estimate). We aim to achieve both flight time and payload with power generation per unit weight, which is about five times that of lithium-ion batteries. The founding of ADJ was triggered by Tanabe, the representative of the Bank of Japan, who had a sense of crisis in creating Japanese industry while conducting an industrial survey at the Bank of Japan. While Japan has good technologies that shine brightly in various places, I felt a sense of crisis in the reality that a major industry that would become a pillar of the country has not been created since the automobile industry. While conducting various investigations, he noticed the growth potential of the large drone market and the need for technological innovation in the power source part, and founded ADJ with all his might. From its founding to the present, we are advancing technological development and business development while running around Japan.

Since its founding, ADJ has been developing prototypes of hybrid power systems, but in June 2021, a hybrid power unit combining three Austrian 10kW gas turbines and a generator, and a motor for a propeller compatible with AC200V high voltage. A levitation test of a drone with a total weight of about 80 kg equipped with a hybrid power system combined with ESC was conducted. We have successfully confirmed the levitation performance and succeeded in developing a prototype. With the aim of domestic mass production of the hybrid power system that has succeeded in developing a prototype, we will proceed with the original development of a gas turbine generator, which is indispensable for achieving the target power generation amount of 1 kW / kg per unit weight. Invited Mr. Ota, who has design technology for high-speed rotating aircraft, as CTO in development. We have started the development of an actual machine for mass production, which is superior in power generation per unit weight and durability compared to the prototype. CTO Ota has a remarkable track record in the aerospace field, such as the development of turbopumps for H-II rocket engines, and has a strong network with aerospace-related business companies.

(ADJ CTO Toyohiko Ota) Utilizing the knowledge of CTO Ota and the know-how cultivated in the development of prototypes, we will proceed with development as a team so that we can bring mass-produced hybrid power systems and hybrid power drones to the market by 2022. increase. The target specifications of mass-produced machines are assumed to be as follows.・ Gross takeoff and landing weight: 150kg ・ Payload: 50kg ・ Flight time: 1 hour

This time, the funds required for the development of mass-produced machines were procured through a third-party allotment of capital to a business company that has already developed or plans to enter the drone business. All three operating companies that have been underwritten will strongly support ADJ as collaborative partners in the drone service (DaaS = Drone as a Service) business using large drones. We received comments from each investor. ■ 500 Department Trading Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Representative Director: Tatsuya 500 Department)

(Representative Director Tatsuya 500be) [Company Profile] As a company that outsources drone design, production, and flight tests, we have large Japanese companies and drone startups as clients. [Representative's comment] We have been entrusted with the assembly of the ADJ drone prototype this time, but we were worried that the "loadage" and "long flight" of the drone powered by lithium-ion batteries had a trade-off relationship. The ADJ hybrid power system can be understood as a breakthrough that enables heavy and long flight, and we have made an investment. ■ Sanwa Sogo Civil Engineering Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Representative Director: Isao Umebayashi)

(Representative Director Isao Umebayashi) [Company Profile] Based in Kitakyushu, a construction company that forms the core of six group companies that are expanding nationwide with special civil engineering technology, special machinery, resin chemical technology, CNF technology, etc. [Representative's comment] Our company focuses on construction, infrastructure construction, maintenance of social property, and disaster prevention, "providing services that protect lives, safety, and important things by creating the shape that civilization and nature desire," and "environmental circulation type." We aim to create a business. Through the projects proposed by ADJ, the public and private sectors will contribute to zero carbon and economic effects by improving the efficiency of construction projects, observation / survey projects, transportation projects, environmental projects, and disaster prevention projects, as well as to various rescue projects. We have decided to invest in collaboration for business development, public relations activities and orders that contribute to the coexistence of profits, life safety and the natural environment. We have already started to collaborate with a company that develops 3D surveying, structure deterioration and mountain slope survey function software, and secure drone human resources. We are preparing for the creation of further added value and the start of the exit business. ■ Nagaoka Shoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Representative Director: Hiroki Nagaoka)

(Representative Director Hiroki Nagaoka) [Company Profile] Headquartered in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, it develops a wide range of businesses such as equipment / building materials, housing / real estate, and energy. [Representative's comment] Our company is located in the central part of the 5 prefectures of the Chugoku region, overlooking the Sea of ​​Japan, while being easily accessible to Shikoku via the Shimanami Kaido / Honshi Bridge. It is also blessed with a natural environment such as the heavy snowfall area ski resort in western Japan and the "Hiroshima Prefectural Forest" where drone flight is possible up to 500 m above the ground (usually flight restrictions up to 150 m above the ground). Taking advantage of the learning environment of the next generation leaders such as Hiroshima Prefectural University Shobara Campus and Hiroshima Prefectural Shobara Jitsugyo High School, which are also involved in agriculture and forestry / civil engineering related DaaS business, "DaaS industry leader training" first-class national pilot license "acquired We invested as a stepping stone to the establishment of "School". Under the guidance of JUIDA (Japan UAS Industry Promotion Council), we are preparing to open the school immediately after the enforcement of the national license system.

In order to concentrate on the development of mass-produced machines, we have established a new development base in Musashi-Koganei in line with this funding. In addition to the establishment of the base, we will be able to cooperate with Hosei University's Mihogawa Laboratory (Koganei Campus), which has one of the leading knowledge in UAM development in Japan. Currently, we are expanding the engineer team centered on CTO Ota and are promoting recruitment. If you are interested in developing high-speed rotating aircraft such as turbines and generators, or drones and aircraft, please contact us at the following e-mail address. The person in charge will respond. Contact: info@aerodevelop.jp

Recently, UAM news is rapidly increasing as a post-large drone. Behind this is the fact that competition for the development of "electric aircraft" has begun, mainly in Europe and the United States, and that UAM is expected to be put into practical use in 2023, and that "drone, UAM and hydrogen" are listed as the theme of the 2025 Osaka Expo. It seems that it is related to being there. Under these circumstances, power that can handle decarbonization and zero emissions is required. Hybrid power systems have the potential to respond speedily to changes in global trends such as "electricity" and "decarbonization." By changing the specifications of the combustor part of the gas turbine, it is possible to support biofuel and liquid hydrogen. ADJ will first develop a power system for large drones at its feet, with an eye on the eco-friendly UAM market, which is about to rise quickly, mainly in Europe and the United States. Beyond that, we will supply hybrid power systems to overseas drone and UAM manufacturers, and at the same time, we are looking to establish an advantageous position toward the creation of domestic UAM manufacturers.

In postwar Japan, the start-up of the commercial aircraft manufacturing industry has been blocked. This delayed the launch of a public institution such as the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) that can provide "airworthiness certification", and the takeoff of the domestic medium-sized aircraft industry, which took more than 10 years to commercialize, did not come true. bottom. However, regarding the drone / UAM aircraft in "space (from the surface of the earth to the regulated space of the Aviation Law)" which can be said to be the last new frontier left on the earth along with "space" and "deep sea", Japan's "safety certificate". "Standards" and "airworthiness certification standards" are international standards common to Europe and the United States, and are said to open the way for overseas exports. We hope that we can contribute to the takeoff of the Japanese drone / UAM industry equipped with the ADJ hybrid power system.

The hybrid power system and the hybrid power drone mass production machine are under development with the goal of starting sales within 2022. We have already started considering collaboration with companies related to drone services such as construction, logistics, communication, dispatch of pilots, etc., but inquiries from everyone involved in the above business toward the goal of starting the service in 2022 We are waiting for you. Currently, we are looking for an assembly partner for a hybrid powered drone completed aircraft, an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) partner, an aircraft rental partner, and a DaaS business partner who provides drone services using the aircraft. In addition, cooperation with local governments is also important for drone services, so we would be grateful if you could contact local governments nationwide who are planning to use drones. If you make an inquiry, the person in charge will respond and provide detailed information about the collaboration.