India’s largest UAV maker partners with Tokyo-based Digital Media Professionals to integrate edge AI silicon and enter the Japanese defense market.
ideaForge Technology Limited has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Digital Media Professionals Inc. (DMP) to co-develop next-generation AI drones and expand into Japan. The Mumbai-based company announced the partnership on April 28, 2026.
Under the agreement, ideaForge will integrate DMP’s Di1 edge AI system-on-chip into its VTOL UAV platforms. DMP will serve as the go-to-market partner for ideaForge’s drone portfolio in Japan.
Di1 Edge AI Powers the New AI Drone Platform
The Di1 SoC features an FP4-based neural processing unit for low-power inference. It also supports a 4-channel camera input for 360-degree vision.
That silicon pairs with ideaForge’s field-proven VTOL airframes, which target severe environments and complex terrain. The combination targets defense surveillance, border security, infrastructure inspection, and precision agriculture missions.
The global drone market is projected to grow from $54.9 billion in 2024 to $117.6 billion by 2030. Japan’s segment alone should expand from $2.0 billion in 2025 to $5.1 billion by 2034.
“Our vision at ideaForge is to build next-generation intelligent unmanned aircraft systems by seamlessly integrating advanced design, engineering, manufacturing capabilities, and cutting-edge AI technologies,” said Ankit Mehta, CEO and Co-founder of ideaForge Technology Ltd. “This collaboration with DMP aligns perfectly with our broader strategy to develop high-performance, customizable AI for defence autonomy drones that efficiently address diverse global market needs—from defense surveillance and border security to industrial infrastructure inspection and precision agriculture.”
Japan Market Entry and Global Footprint
DMP will handle demonstrations, customer outreach, distribution, training, and after-sales support across Japan. The deal mirrors ideaForge’s earlier U.S. push through its First Forge Technology joint venture.
“We are thrilled to partner with ideaForge, a global leader in mission-critical drones, to integrate our Di1 edge AI SoC into their next-generation UAV platforms,” said Tatsuo Yamamoto, Chairman, President & CEO of Digital Media Professionals Inc. “This MOU accelerates Di1’s accelerated deployment while enabling DMP to bring ideaForge’s rugged, high-endurance, and resilient drones to Japan’s defence, security, and industrial markets.”
ideaForge ranks third globally on the DRONEII Global Drone Review 2024 list of top dual-use drone manufacturers. The company has logged more than 950,000 flights, with one of its drones taking off every three minutes.
More information is available at ideaForge and DMP.
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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.
That Di1 chip must be a serious piece of hardware if they’re building their whole next-gen platform around it. Interesting to see ideaForge pushing into Japan’s defense market instead of just sticking with the domestic contracts they’re known for. Wonder how this compares to what Skydio is doing with their AI stack.