Delivering medicine to the mountains using Japan's first drone delivery service

Hamamatsu City has launched Japan's first drone delivery service that operates without visual contact, enabling much greater delivery areas. The service is led by HMK Nexus, a logistics subsidiary of Hamakyorex, using VTOL drones made by Aerosense and AI control systems by Trajectory.

On February 25th a demonstration was held, delivering prescription medicine to the Kamiaiko district, which is about 10km away from the city center.

In a region with a population of around 800, many of whom are elderly, the region hopes that this will enable a speedy supply of medicines that would have been difficult to deliver before. The service charges have been kept low, with delivery fees only costing 430 yen (under US$3).

As drone load capacity increases, future uses of the technology are expected to include delivery of goods other than medicines and for disaster relief.

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