Tokyo, November 10, 2022 / VFR / KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD.
A Japanese drone manufacturer, VFR Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koichiro Yuasa; hereinafter referred to as “VFR”), and a provider of information equipment rental and sales, KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Matsumoto-shi, Nagano; President and CEO: Eiji Kanzawa) will commence the rental business of Japanese drone “SOTEN”.
■Background of starting the rental business
As the rapid increase in the use of industrial drones in areas such as inspection and logistics, government agencies are encouraging the use of domestic drones even more. In addition, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) set a goal of achieving Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations with no human intervention in populated areas (Level 4) in 2022. (*)
*Source: “Roadmap for Industrial Revolution in the Sky 2022”
In the midst of increasing demand for replacement to domestic drones, various industries requested for drone rental. Therefore, in order to meet more needs, KISSEI COMTEC decided to start a drone rental business.
■About the rental of “SOTEN”
“SOTEN” will be added to the equipment of KISSEI COMTEC, which provides various hardware rental businesses, and it can be rented for up to 10 days for JPY 88,000 (excl. Tax.)
“Multispectral camera” and “optical zoom camera” will be also available for renting for various purposes such as surveying, inspection, and disaster initial response.
Since it’s possible to rent only optional items, customers who already own “SOTEN” can also enjoy the service.
In the future, “SOTEN Virtual Trainer”, which reproduces “SOTEN” and other drones in virtual environment for pilot training, will also be available for renting.
■What’s unique about “SOTEN”
“SOTEN” is a Japanese industrial drone developed by ACSL Ltd.
It was selected for the “Safe and Secure Drone Infrastructure and Technology Development” project of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and successfully mass-produced.
Security measures based on ISO15408 are implemented, and communication and photographic data are encrypted.
This is also the first small drone with one-touch camera switching method, which makes the product suitable for a variety of situations.
▶︎ ACSL Ltd. (https://www.acsl.co.jp)
▶︎ click here for more information on SOTEN (https://vfr.co.jp/drone-soten/)
<About VFR>
Business overview: Plan, design, manufacture, sale, repair, maintenance, inspection, import and export of small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones, etc.) and accompanying software, and contracting of design, manufacture and repair. Incidental to these, technical support, design support, operational support for production and sales, and planning support, etc.
Company name: VFR Inc.
Location: Yebisu Garden place Tower 31F, 4-20-3 Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: President & CEO Koichiro Yuasa
Establishment: March 12, 2020
URL: https://vfr.co.jp
<About KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD.＞
KISSEI COMTEC is a system integrator which was established by the Information Systems Division of Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. spinning off from the company. Focusing on system integration services from system planning to development and operation, the company develops packaged software for medical and research institutions and conduct information equipment rental business.
Company name: KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD.
Location: 4010-10, Wada, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, Japan
Branch: 3-32-1 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: President & CEO: Eiji Kamizawa, President & COO: Manabu Shirotori
Establishment: April 1, 1985
URL: https://www.kicnet.co.jp
【 Service inquiries】
KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD. Rental Division
Tel: +81-3-5843-0301
Fax: +81-3-5979-6335
[Contact regarding this press release]
PR and Marketing Department, VFR Inc.
Email: vfr-press@vfr.co.jp
Corporate Planning Office, KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD.
Tel：+81-263-40-1122
Fax: +81-263-40-1037
Source: VFR Inc. and KISSEI COMTEC CO., LTD.