Improved Version of "Rangle X" Sewer Pipe Drone Completes 1.6km Non-Stop Run — Company's Longest Record Updated by 23%
DRONE SPORTS Inc. successfully conducted a continuous flight inspection of a sewer pipe section exceeding 1.6km using its "Rangle X" drone, announced in February 2026. This marks a 23% increase (approx. 300m) from the previous record of 1.3km, setting a new company record. The drone enabled inspection of a difficult section designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which was challenging for conventional methods.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 22:21
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DRONE SPORTS Inc. successfully conducted a continuous flight inspection of a sewer pipe section exceeding 1.6km in a public sewage pipe, using its dedicated sewer pipe drone "Rangle X", announced in February 2026. This achieved an extension of approximately 300m, or 23%, from the previously announced 1.3km, updating the company's longest record.
## Overview and Background of the Survey
The target sewer pipe for this inspection was designated as a special priority survey section by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, requiring urgent assessment of its internal conditions. However, due to constraints related to the internal environment and complex bending structures, existing TV camera vehicles and floating cameras found it difficult to enter and traverse the section.
Therefore, the improved version of Rangle X was deployed. By remote control from the ground, continuous video recording of the entire section was completed in a single flight.
The sewer pipe targeted for this survey was subject to a nationwide special priority survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, initiated by a road collapse accident in Yashio City last year.
However, due to internal environmental and structural constraints, internal verification was difficult with existing survey equipment and visual inspections.
Pipe Diameter
φ2,800mm
Length
1.6km
## Why is 1.6km Difficult?
While drone inspections within sewer pipes have become increasingly popular in recent years, stable flight in non-GNSS environments is subject to technical limitations. For existing sewer pipe inspection drones, including the Rangle series, the realistic upper limit for distance achievable in a single flight is generally considered to be around 300m. Achieving continuous flight exceeding 1km has been a challenge for the entire industry. Furthermore, the target section this time included difficult areas with complex bends and steps, requiring a highly challenging survey that demanded both precise machine control and sustained flight capability. An additional extension of approximately 300m, or 23%, was achieved from the previously announced 1.3km, updating the company's continuous flight record.
## Future Outlook
In Japan, it is believed that there are numerous aging sewer infrastructures where sufficient surveys have not been conducted due to labor shortages and equipment limitations.
DRONE SPORTS will continue to challenge inspections in various sewer pipes, contributing to the DX (Digital Transformation) of infrastructure inspection, and also to the maintenance of a safe and secure living foundation for citizens.
## About DRONE SPORTS Inc.
A domestic drone manufacturer specializing in drone inspections in non-GPS environments and confined spaces. It develops, manufactures, and provides inspection services for the "Rangle" series, which can operate in spaces with a diameter of 250mm. The company has a track record of inspections in various industries such as steel mills, power plants, bridges, and sewers, and boasts some of the best inspection results in Japan, including continuous flight of 1.6km in sewers.
## Company Profile
Company Name: DRONE SPORTS Inc.
Location: 204 Shin-Yoshida-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
Representative: Yu Kodera, Representative Director
Established: February 1, 2018
Business Description: Development and sales of drone-related products, provision of drone solutions
URL: https://dronesports.jp
## Overview and Background of the Survey
The target sewer pipe for this inspection was designated as a special priority survey section by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, requiring urgent assessment of its internal conditions. However, due to constraints related to the internal environment and complex bending structures, existing TV camera vehicles and floating cameras found it difficult to enter and traverse the section.
Therefore, the improved version of Rangle X was deployed. By remote control from the ground, continuous video recording of the entire section was completed in a single flight.
The sewer pipe targeted for this survey was subject to a nationwide special priority survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, initiated by a road collapse accident in Yashio City last year.
However, due to internal environmental and structural constraints, internal verification was difficult with existing survey equipment and visual inspections.
Pipe Diameter
φ2,800mm
Length
1.6km
## Why is 1.6km Difficult?
While drone inspections within sewer pipes have become increasingly popular in recent years, stable flight in non-GNSS environments is subject to technical limitations. For existing sewer pipe inspection drones, including the Rangle series, the realistic upper limit for distance achievable in a single flight is generally considered to be around 300m. Achieving continuous flight exceeding 1km has been a challenge for the entire industry. Furthermore, the target section this time included difficult areas with complex bends and steps, requiring a highly challenging survey that demanded both precise machine control and sustained flight capability. An additional extension of approximately 300m, or 23%, was achieved from the previously announced 1.3km, updating the company's continuous flight record.
## Future Outlook
In Japan, it is believed that there are numerous aging sewer infrastructures where sufficient surveys have not been conducted due to labor shortages and equipment limitations.
DRONE SPORTS will continue to challenge inspections in various sewer pipes, contributing to the DX (Digital Transformation) of infrastructure inspection, and also to the maintenance of a safe and secure living foundation for citizens.
## About DRONE SPORTS Inc.
A domestic drone manufacturer specializing in drone inspections in non-GPS environments and confined spaces. It develops, manufactures, and provides inspection services for the "Rangle" series, which can operate in spaces with a diameter of 250mm. The company has a track record of inspections in various industries such as steel mills, power plants, bridges, and sewers, and boasts some of the best inspection results in Japan, including continuous flight of 1.6km in sewers.
## Company Profile
Company Name: DRONE SPORTS Inc.
Location: 204 Shin-Yoshida-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
Representative: Yu Kodera, Representative Director
Established: February 1, 2018
Business Description: Development and sales of drone-related products, provision of drone solutions
URL: https://dronesports.jp