Dynamic Map Platform Acquires Rikanos, a Company with Achievements in Drone Surveying from its Dawn – Second M&A for Surveying Network Construction
Dynamic Map Platform has fully acquired Rikanos, a company with a proven track record in drone surveying since its early stages. This acquisition is the second strategic M&A aimed at accelerating the construction of a nationwide surveying network, addressing structural challenges in the surveying industry, and realizing the "Modeling the Earth" vision.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 08:52 (22h 20m after Collected)
Dynamic Map Platform Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Shuichi Yoshimura; hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), which provides high-precision maps for autonomous driving, announces that it has acquired all shares of Rikanos Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture; hereinafter referred to as "Rikanos"), a company with a proven track record of early engagement in practical applications of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) surveying, making it a wholly owned subsidiary.
■ Background and Purpose
Since 2025, our group has been promoting rollup-type M&A in the surveying industry with the aim of realizing our group's vision of "Modeling the Earth" and solving structural issues faced by the surveying industry, such as delays in industry restructuring, a shortage of successors, and adaptation to technological innovation. This initiative aims to build a surveying network that supports Japan's digital infrastructure development by incorporating multiple regional surveying, design, and construction consulting companies under our group's supervisory company, Dynamic Map Platform Consultants Co., Ltd. This acquisition marks the second strategic M&A, following Nihonkai Surveying & Design Co., Ltd. in Toyama Prefecture.
■ Significance of this M&A
Rikanos operates surveying-related businesses, primarily focusing on drone surveying, and has been engaged in the development of systems for UAV-based surveying and point cloud acquisition. It has a wide range of experience in infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and public works. Furthermore, Rikanos was involved in on-site response and situation assessment for the road collapse accident that occurred in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, on January 28, 2025.
Through this acquisition, we will integrate Rikanos's technology and on-site expertise into our group, thereby accelerating the promotion of nationwide digital infrastructure development and further business expansion, which our group aims for. Additionally, by leveraging Rikanos's cultivated drone surveying technology, on-site responsiveness, and mobility, we will contribute to enhancing the value provided in disaster response and infrastructure maintenance fields. The transfer price of shares related to this M&A and associated expenses were procured through a loan from Yamagata Bank.
Furthermore, with this acquisition of shares, Noriyuki Taira, the Representative Director of Rikanos, retired from his position and has been appointed as a technical advisor to our company to continue utilizing his technical expertise within our group. By leveraging Mr. Taira's accumulated knowledge in drone surveying and spatial measurement, we will strive to strengthen our group's technological capabilities and improve business value.
■ Brief Biography of Noriyuki Taira, Rikanos
Founded Rikanos Co., Ltd. in 2006 and assumed the position of Representative Director. Expanded business in the spatial measurement field, primarily focusing on BIM/CIM-related work in civil engineering and construction, and photogrammetry and point cloud analysis using UAVs (drones). Contributed to the development of the drone surveying field through both practical work and technology development, including obtaining patents for photogrammetry and analysis technology using aerial vehicles, since the dawn of drone surveying. As a director during the founding period of Terra Drone Co., Ltd., he was involved in the application of drone technology in surveying, disaster response, and infrastructure fields.
■ Comments from Each Company
(Photo Left) Shuichi Yoshimura, Representative Director and CEO, Dynamic Map Platform
"Today, drone surveying is widely used, mainly in the civil engineering and construction industries, and Rikanos is a pioneer in this field. We are deeply honored to welcome Rikanos, which has accumulated technology and achievements through drone surveying with customers since its inception, into our group. We are confident that their cultivated on-site technology and customer base will be a driving force to open up new areas for our group. Moving forward, we will work together as a group to create further value to meet customer expectations."
(Photo Right) Noriyuki Taira, Rikanos
"Rikanos is pleased to join the Dynamic Map Platform Group. We feel strongly that the on-site technology and practical knowledge in drone surveying and BIM/CIM that Rikanos has cultivated can be utilized in the group's efforts for nationwide digital infrastructure development. In my new role as a technical advisor, I will continue to develop our past initiatives and contribute to customers and the industry as a member of the group."
Our group will continue to promote the networking of the surveying industry under the "Modeling the Earth" vision and contribute to the nationwide promotion of social infrastructure development, maintenance, and advancement using digital technology.
[Reference]
For information on the first strategic M&A case for our company's surveying network construction, please refer to the following press release:
October 30, 2025 "Dynamic Map Platform
■ Background and Purpose
Since 2025, our group has been promoting rollup-type M&A in the surveying industry with the aim of realizing our group's vision of "Modeling the Earth" and solving structural issues faced by the surveying industry, such as delays in industry restructuring, a shortage of successors, and adaptation to technological innovation. This initiative aims to build a surveying network that supports Japan's digital infrastructure development by incorporating multiple regional surveying, design, and construction consulting companies under our group's supervisory company, Dynamic Map Platform Consultants Co., Ltd. This acquisition marks the second strategic M&A, following Nihonkai Surveying & Design Co., Ltd. in Toyama Prefecture.
■ Significance of this M&A
Rikanos operates surveying-related businesses, primarily focusing on drone surveying, and has been engaged in the development of systems for UAV-based surveying and point cloud acquisition. It has a wide range of experience in infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and public works. Furthermore, Rikanos was involved in on-site response and situation assessment for the road collapse accident that occurred in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, on January 28, 2025.
Through this acquisition, we will integrate Rikanos's technology and on-site expertise into our group, thereby accelerating the promotion of nationwide digital infrastructure development and further business expansion, which our group aims for. Additionally, by leveraging Rikanos's cultivated drone surveying technology, on-site responsiveness, and mobility, we will contribute to enhancing the value provided in disaster response and infrastructure maintenance fields. The transfer price of shares related to this M&A and associated expenses were procured through a loan from Yamagata Bank.
Furthermore, with this acquisition of shares, Noriyuki Taira, the Representative Director of Rikanos, retired from his position and has been appointed as a technical advisor to our company to continue utilizing his technical expertise within our group. By leveraging Mr. Taira's accumulated knowledge in drone surveying and spatial measurement, we will strive to strengthen our group's technological capabilities and improve business value.
■ Brief Biography of Noriyuki Taira, Rikanos
Founded Rikanos Co., Ltd. in 2006 and assumed the position of Representative Director. Expanded business in the spatial measurement field, primarily focusing on BIM/CIM-related work in civil engineering and construction, and photogrammetry and point cloud analysis using UAVs (drones). Contributed to the development of the drone surveying field through both practical work and technology development, including obtaining patents for photogrammetry and analysis technology using aerial vehicles, since the dawn of drone surveying. As a director during the founding period of Terra Drone Co., Ltd., he was involved in the application of drone technology in surveying, disaster response, and infrastructure fields.
■ Comments from Each Company
(Photo Left) Shuichi Yoshimura, Representative Director and CEO, Dynamic Map Platform
"Today, drone surveying is widely used, mainly in the civil engineering and construction industries, and Rikanos is a pioneer in this field. We are deeply honored to welcome Rikanos, which has accumulated technology and achievements through drone surveying with customers since its inception, into our group. We are confident that their cultivated on-site technology and customer base will be a driving force to open up new areas for our group. Moving forward, we will work together as a group to create further value to meet customer expectations."
(Photo Right) Noriyuki Taira, Rikanos
"Rikanos is pleased to join the Dynamic Map Platform Group. We feel strongly that the on-site technology and practical knowledge in drone surveying and BIM/CIM that Rikanos has cultivated can be utilized in the group's efforts for nationwide digital infrastructure development. In my new role as a technical advisor, I will continue to develop our past initiatives and contribute to customers and the industry as a member of the group."
Our group will continue to promote the networking of the surveying industry under the "Modeling the Earth" vision and contribute to the nationwide promotion of social infrastructure development, maintenance, and advancement using digital technology.
[Reference]
For information on the first strategic M&A case for our company's surveying network construction, please refer to the following press release:
October 30, 2025 "Dynamic Map Platform