This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association.
The Tokyo company’s new multicopter pairs auxiliary wings with its 4D GRAVITY airframe to extend range and payload performance for SkyHub deliveries.
Aeronext has introduced a new logistics drone prototype built around ActiveWing, a structural technology that mounts independently moving auxiliary wings on a multicopter airframe. The Shibuya, Tokyo company says the design delivers longer range and more efficient transport than a conventional multicopter cargo drone.
The prototype is being developed jointly with Eams Robotics. Aeronext plans to roll it into delivery operations beginning in autumn 2026 through its NEXT DELIVERY subsidiary and the SkyHub smart logistics network, including SkyHub Provider License operators running drone depots in Japanese regions.
How the ActiveWing Logistics Drone Works
ActiveWing adds lift through auxiliary wings while preserving the handling of a standard multicopter. The wings hold a constant angle of attack even when the airframe tilts, which keeps flight stable across the cruise envelope. Propellers continue to spin at the speeds required for attitude control, and the wings add the lift that lets the aircraft travel farther on the same battery.
The prototype also uses Aeronext’s proprietary 4D GRAVITY airframe design. The patented technology equalizes motor rotation regardless of aircraft attitude and tunes lift, drag, and center of gravity through the airframe’s structural geometry. Aeronext markets these gains as improvements to the stability, efficiency, and maneuverability that industrial drones depend on.
Built for Delivery and Multi-Use Missions
The cargo bay loads from the top and drops payloads from the bottom, supporting unattended drop-off and other flexible delivery workflows. A waterproof airframe expands the operating envelope across varied weather conditions. The prototype also supports automated multi-aircraft remote operations, opening additional use cases in wide-area surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and aerial photography.
SkyHub is the joint smart logistics platform Aeronext developed with Seino Holdings, linking ground transport and drone delivery through a standardized platform for shared deliveries, errands, food, and pharmaceutical drops.
More information is available at Aeronext.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
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