Aeronext Announces New Logistics Drone Prototype Equipped with New "ActiveWing®" Technology

Aeronext Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Keisuke Toji, CEO; hereinafter "Aeronext") has developed and announced a new logistics drone prototype equipped with "ActiveWing®*1," a new technology that enables stable, long-distance flight.

This prototype is equipped with Aeronext's new "ActiveWing®" technology. By utilizing a multicopter structure with auxiliary wings to provide lift during flight, it achieves longer flight distances and more efficient transport performance compared to conventional multicopter drones. It is being developed as a multi-use aircraft capable of being utilized in a wide range of applications, primarily for logistics, but also for surveillance, inspection, and aerial photography.

Furthermore, this prototype adopts 4D GRAVITY®*2, Aeronext's proprietary aircraft structural design technology, to optimize aerodynamic characteristics. This improves the basic performance of the industrial drone—namely stability, efficiency, and maneuverability—while also enhancing transport performance for logistics applications.

This prototype has been researched and developed in collaboration with Eams Robotics Co., Ltd. Starting around the autumn of 2026, it is scheduled to be progressively introduced into drone logistics sites, including areas where the new smart logistics "SkyHub®*3" is being promoted by Aeronext and its subsidiary, NEXT DELIVERY Co., Ltd., as well as various local demonstration experiments and drone depots operated by SkyHub® Provider License (SPL)*4 operators.

[Development Background]

In recent years, while expectations for drone utilization in the logistics sector have been rising, issues such as flight range, payload capacity, and transport efficiency have been identified with standard multicopter drones.

Aeronext has focused on the optimization of aerodynamic characteristics in its drone research and development. Leveraging this technical expertise, the company has worked to realize flight performance that combines the efficiency and stability specifically required for logistics drones. (Please refer here for details.)

This prototype is the latest model to thoroughly pursue aerodynamic characteristics as a result of such research and development, and it is equipped with Aeronext's unique new technology.

[Features of the New Logistics Drone]

■ Long-distance flight performance enabled by new "ActiveWing®" technology

ActiveWing® is Aeronext's new technology that supports lift during flight by combining a multicopter with auxiliary wings. The design ensures that the angle of attack of the auxiliary wings remains constant even when the airframe tilts, enabling long-distance flight while maintaining stable flight.

■ High stability and transport performance via 4D GRAVITY®

Aeronext's proprietary aircraft structural design technology, 4D GRAVITY®, achieves uniform motor rotation and center-of-gravity control regardless of flight attitude or state. This enhances stability, efficiency, and mobility, realizing the high transport performance required for logistics applications.

■ Airframe design optimized for logistics applications

This prototype adopts a top-loading, bottom-unloading mechanism for cargo, making it capable of supporting flexible delivery operations such as "okihai" (no-contact delivery). Additionally, the waterproof airframe design enables operation in various environments. It also supports automated remote operation of multiple units, and in the future, it is envisioned for use in a diverse range of applications beyond logistics, such as wide-area surveillance, facility and infrastructure inspection, and aerial photography.

Aeronext will continue to promote the social implementation of drone logistics based on its technology and intellectual property. Through the construction of sky infrastructure utilizing low-altitude airspace, we aim to contribute to the development of the next-generation mobility industry and the resolution of social issues.

End

Reference Materials

*1 New technology: ActiveWing®

A structural technology, invented based on the technical philosophy of 4D GRAVITY®︎, that optimizes aerodynamic characteristics by independently displacing auxiliary wings attached to a multicopter airframe. By supplementing propeller thrust with the lift provided by the auxiliary wings, flight range is extended without compromising the aircraft's maneuverability. It is a uniquely developed hybrid structure that achieves both efficiency and stability through the combination of propellers and auxiliary wings, as it maintains the propeller rotation speed necessary for attitude control even during cruising.

*2 Aircraft structural design technology: 4D GRAVITY®

An aircraft structural design technology developed by Aeronext that improves the basic performance of industrial drones, such as stability, efficiency, and mobility, as well as the transport performance of logistics-specific drones, by optimizing aerodynamic characteristics through measures such as uniform motor rotation speeds independent of flight attitude, state, or motion, and the control of lift, drag, and airframe center of gravity based on airframe shape and structure. Aeronext has patented this technology and manages it as the 4D GRAVITY® patent portfolio. Improvements in basic performance through 4D GRAVITY® also expand the possibilities for utilization in new markets and applications for industrial drones.

*3 New smart logistics: SkyHub®︎

A new smart logistics system jointly developed and deployed by Aeronext and Seino HD. It connects existing land transportation with drone logistics, integrating ground and sky infrastructure to realize a system where goods can be delivered anytime, anywhere. As an open and standardized platform incorporating drone delivery, it deploys and provides services tailored to local issues and needs—such as joint delivery of goods from different logistics companies using cars and drones as means of transport, shopping services, food delivery, and pharmaceutical delivery—with "Drone Depots®︎" as hubs.

SkyHub®︎ is a solution that reshapes logistics networks to help resolve local issues such as labor shortages due to declining populations and the aging society with a low birthrate, traffic issues in specific depopulated areas, medical issues, disaster countermeasures, support for the transportation-disadvantaged, and the maintenance of public transportation. It can be considered significant for the promotion of regional revitalization through the improvement of resident convenience and quality of life, as well as for the creation of sustainable local communities.

*4 SkyHub® Provider License (SPL)

A scheme through which Aeronext's strategic subsidiary, NEXT DELIVERY Co., Ltd., provides licenses for some of the know-how, tools, and operations of the new smart logistics "SkyHub®︎," which has been deployed in multiple regions within Japan including Kosuge Village in Yamanashi Prefecture and Kamishihoro Town in Hokkaido, to third parties.

[About Aeronext Inc.]

Aeronext's mission is to "create a world where prosperity reaches every corner through new social infrastructure in the era of the 100-year life." We promote the creation of unprecedented new value by utilizing low-altitude airspace. We operate a technology licensing business that provides 4D GRAVITY®, a proprietary aircraft structural design technology that optimizes gravity and aerodynamic characteristics to improve the basic performance of industrial drones and the transport performance of logistics-specific drones, as well as a joint development business that conducts joint development and contracted development of drone-related technologies. Additionally, through our strategic subsidiary NEXT DELIVERY Co., Ltd., we operate the SkyHub® new smart logistics business, which centralizes and streamlines regional logistics, and a drone operation business promoted by a team with world-class know-how and experience using cutting-edge technology and skills. The SkyHub® business has already been socially implemented in multiple regions in Japan, and we are promoting contributions to solving the problems of regional logistics, which faces many challenges.

*For the company profile, please visit https://aeronext.co.jp/about/company/

*Aeronext, the Aeronext logo, NEXT DELIVERY, "4D GRAVITY®", "ActiveWing®", and "SkyHub®" are trademarks of Aeronext Inc.

*Other company names and product/service names mentioned in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.