Researchers at the University of Tokyo's JSK Lab have developed a modular flying drone capable of adapting its shape to suit its environment. It's called DRAGON, which conveniently stands for Dual-rotor embedded multilink Robot with the Ability of multi-deGree-of-freedom aerial transformatiON. DRAGON is powered by ducted fans that can adapt on the fly to form whatever shape … [Read more...] about Tokyo Researchers’ Dragon Drone Can Shape-shift on the Fly
Japan
DroneDeploy Opens New Markets in Japan
Drone software startup DroneDeploy has launched its ''DroneDeploy Cloud Service'' in Japan with SoftBank C&S as the distributor. “With DroneDeploy as an industry innovator in drone operations technology, and with SoftBank C&S's successful track record in bringing software giants to market in Japan, this partnership paves the way for DroneDeploy to continue its rapid … [Read more...] about DroneDeploy Opens New Markets in Japan
Japanese Company to Use Drones to Curb Excessive Overtime
In the west, most workers are out of the door long before the clock strikes 5pm on a Friday. In Japan things are a little different. Productivity is everything, unions are passive and overtime is the accepted norm. The hard-working culture is literally killing people through stress-related illnesses and exhaustion. Japan's labor ministry has a word for it: “karoshi”, which … [Read more...] about Japanese Company to Use Drones to Curb Excessive Overtime
Tiny Drones May Save the World from Bee Colony Collapse
Researchers say swarms of tiny drones may take the sting out of a troubling global problem – the collapse of bee populations. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 71 of the 100 crops that account for almost all the world’s food supply depend on bee pollination. Over the last year, 44 percent of the commercial bee population mysteriously died … [Read more...] about Tiny Drones May Save the World from Bee Colony Collapse
Japan Plans Drone Delivery for the Olympics
Japan plans to use drone delivery to serve "depopulated areas" by 2018, and to offer drone delivery in Tokyo by the time the 2020 Olympic games are held there, the Japan Times reports. A source from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration says that the Japanese government is working quickly to implement drone delivery to rural and depopulated areas of Japan, such as small … [Read more...] about Japan Plans Drone Delivery for the Olympics
