Terra Drone Corporation, (Terra Drone) and INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX) jointly announced a capital tie-up and the launch of the INPEX-Terra Drone Intelligent Drone Plan(Plan).
Visual overview of the Plan
Terra Drone is an air mobility startup with technical expertise in automated flight and operational management of air mobility solutions including drones and flying automobiles. Terra Drone aims to be Japan’s first leader in the global market by offering solutions to social issues across a variety of fields focusing on infrastructure inspection, disaster response, security and operational management including the link-up of manned and unmanned vehicles.
INPEX strives to be a leading energy company playing an essential role in global society by meeting the energy needs of Japan and countries around the world and contributing to the creation of a brighter future for society through developing, producing and delivering energy in a sustainable way. At the same time, the company is also proactively engaged in energy structure reforms towards the realization of a net zero carbon society by 2050 and is pursuing technical development through the cultivation of business in new fields and proactive partnerships with startups.
Terra Drone and INPEX have until now collaborated on various initiatives regarding the inspection equipment in the field of crude oil development and production.
The Plan envisages realizing the automated inspection of equipment using air mobility solutions such as drones, and promoting digital transformation in development, production and operation work. To realize the Plan, the companies are implementing a fundamental review of business operations including safety management, in addition to devising a platform system providing one-stop solutions encompassing automated flight, operational management and artificial intelligence analysis. In fiscal year 2022, the companies are targeting a transition from the current demonstration phase to an operational phase where INPEX will begin deploying solutions in-house.
Through the Plan, Terra Drone and INPEX will seek to promote the digital transformation and support the sustainable growth of the oil and natural gas industry in Japan and around the world and contribute to enhancing the presence of Japan.