Sumitomo Corporation has acquired a stake in OneSky Systems, a developer of Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) platforms. OneSky develops unmanned aerial traffic management systems and analytics which establish safe flight paths to prevent collisions between unmanned aerial vehicles. OneSky has exclusive access to AGI’s core technology of precise object position determination through an intellectual property agreement.
Sumitomo says this it not its first foray into the air mobility space. In January of 2020, the company concluded an air mobility business partnership with US helicopter manufacturer Bell Helicopter Textron and Japan Airlines. Following this project, Sumitomo is now considering the provision of services employing unmanned logistics drones and air taxis developed by Bell with an eye towards commercialisation by the mid-2020s.
The company sees air mobility as the next frontier in transportation, utilizing networks of AI-driven, unmanned vehicles. This transformation in mobility is expected to reduce transport times in urban areas and help improve access to remote locations like islands and mountainous areas. It could also be crucial during emergency response situations – including the current situation of the COVID-19 virus – with the use of drone technology. Sumitomo plans to use technology developed by companies like OneSky to support the success and safety of these future mobility systems.
Kevin Hyuga, General Manager of Construction & Transportation Systems at Sumitomo Corporation of Americas said: “We see significant potential in growing and scaling OneSky’s capabilities so that it can support the air mobility needs of the future.”
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